May is Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month,
While the allergy season for pets may be similar to the allergy season for people, the symptoms your pet experiences are very different. People with allergies often sneeze, have a runny nose and itchy eyes. Pets, on the other hand, commonly manifest their allergy symptoms through their skin. Common areas affected by allergies include: face, ears, axillae (arm pits) and abdomen. Symptoms associated with allergies include itching, redness, and hair loss.

Just like humans, dogs and cats can both be susceptible to asthma, although statistically asthma affects cats much more often than dogs. And just like in humans, a pet’s asthma will be aggravated by allergens or irritants found in the animal’s environment. In fact, the incidence of asthma in pets is growing due to an increase in exposure to environmental pollutants.

What to Watch For

Consider speaking with your veterinarian about allergies if your dog suffers from:

• Seasonal or non-seasonal itching, licking, scratching, rubbing
• Foot licking, face rubbing/scratching
• Rashes or patchy areas of redness
• Recurrent ear infections or head shaking
• Recurrent skin infections
• Patchy hair loss

For more information:

www.felineasthma.org

www.dog-health-guide.org

Stine Veterinary Hospital & Bakersfield Spay Clinic is a full service Veterinary Hospital, serving Bakersfield and Kern County's pets since 1980. Whether your dog or cat needs a xray, spay, nueter, vaccine, flea treatment or  just a checkup, we'd be happy to welcome your furry family member into our hospital.