Hay fever is common in dogs, occurring in about 10 percent of canines. Purebred dogs have a greater occurrence of symptoms. Hay fever affects dogs in many of the same ways it affects humans and has many of the same symptoms.
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Itching
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A generalized itch is one of the main symptoms of hay fever in dogs. The itching may precede a generalized rash that most often affects the face and feet.
Other Symptoms
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Dogs with hay fever may also experience a runny nose, sneezing and watery eyes.
Time Frame
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Hay fever in dogs follows the same seasonal time frame as it does for humans. Pollen gets high in warmer weather and declines after the first hard frost. Dogs usually start to show signs of the allergy when they are 1 to 3 years old.
Management
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To lessen the symptoms of hay fever, contain the dog in air-conditioned rooms at night and early morning to filter pollen. Clip long-hair coats and use frequent bathing as a way to keep pollen from sticking to the dog.
Prescriptions
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You can control your dog's hay fever with cortisone-based medications. These help reduce your dog's sensitivity to pollen.
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