I've got an allergy question for you...

[Mary Plummer]

You'd think I'd really know all about dog allergies by now, but NOOO I know the primary effect of Mr. Blue's spring/summer allergy is to make him itchy. Our vets assume it's an allergy to some kind of pollen, but haven't recommended testing because it's so easily controlled with antihistamines and paw washing. So everything is fine, but I'm curious about whether or not pollen can ever make an allergy dog sneeze. Blue and I were out for a walk near the trails in a meadow close to our house. He was, of course, a bit off the trail sniffing every plant, and every time he sniffed this one kind, he sneezed. I'm not sure what its official name is, but people around here call it "mustard weed." I know pollen allergies can really make people sneeze, but I'm not too sure about dogs.

[JMM]

Jonathan has fairly mild seasonal inhalent allergies and his symptoms are sneezing and sniffling. Like you, we treat with an antihistamine and that works fine for him as needed.

[Mary Plummer]

Thanks JMM! It sure makes sense that allergies could do that. If this persists, I'll just try harder to keep him away from this particular plant. I'm glad he doesn't get a runny nose like I do with my own allergies; I don't think he's good about using Kleenex, and with a nose the size of his, I shudder to think what he would produce I am curious about what exactly he is allergic to, but I really appreciate our vets saying it's not worth the discomfort to him/expense to us to test him, as long as they are seasonal and under control with antihistamines.

[JMM]

We won't test Jonathan either since his are so mild and easily controlled. I give him 2 mg of chlorpheniramine up to twice a day as needed. I also found bathing him frequently to get the pollen from outside off of his coat helps decrease the amount he needs the antihistamine. On really bad days, I keep him inside.