Hello Again!

So over the past few days, I've noticed that Athena has been frequently making a snorting-type noise from her nose (one she never really made before) and is sneezing often. Is it common for puppies (Athena is 7 months old) to have spring allergies? If so, is there anything I can do?

Yeah, dogs can have allergies. I knew a Border Collie named Tadpole who would get horrible hay fever. We just excercised him indoors. I see childrens benadryl used all the time to fight allergy symptoms in dogs though. Best option is always to ask a vet though.

Kerian's eyes have been draining alot now that spring is here. The vet took an chest xray of her last year and diagnoised her with asthma. I think it is a combination of allergies and asthma that causes her problems.

Could be allergies, but the snorting you're referring to could also be a reverse sneeze. I suggest googling it or watching vids on youtube to see if this might be what Athena is doing. There are a few threads here too about the topic. You should be able to find them if you put reverse sneeze in the search box. It's very common and not a problem. My girl seems to do it most when she is excited.

Thank you Jill! I googled reverse-sneezing and this is the noise she is making! Phew! So Athena is essenitally sneezing regularly and reversely. I've also noticed it is more frequent outside or right when we come back in from outside, so I'm assuming she has spring allergies.

Lola was making a sneezing noise when we got her. It usually happened when she was excited. I actually videoed it on my iPad and brought it with to the vets office in case she didn't do it when we were there. Showed the vet the video and she thought she had an upper respiratory track infection. She took steroids for a couple weeks and an antibiotics. It went away.

I noticed that Zeus started doing this the other night when my girlfriend had a vanilla incense burning. About 5 minutes after we put it out, he stopped. We were curious and wondering if that's what it was so we burned it again. Sure enough, he started sneezing and snorting again. Once it was out though again, he was absolutely fine. I was aware that dogs could have allergies, but I've never known any to be allergic to incense or candles.

Just find out what is making him do this, and try to eliminate it somehow. Does it only happen outside? If it does, Your Vet should be able to find a solution, or at least a way to sooth the problem to help Athena be more comfortable.

ZeusFamily wrote:

I noticed that Zeus started doing this the other night when my girlfriend had a vanilla incense burning. About 5 minutes after we put it out, he stopped. We were curious and wondering if that's what it was so we burned it again. Sure enough, he started sneezing and snorting again. Once it was out though again, he was absolutely fine. I was aware that dogs could have allergies, but I've never known any to be allergic to incense or candles.

Just find out what is making him do this, and try to eliminate it somehow. Does it only happen outside? If it does, Your Vet should be able to find a solution, or at least a way to sooth the problem to help Athena be more comfortable.

I think you are confusing allergy with irritant. Allergies involve the eosinophils (which are a white blood cell). When people, or dogs, have an allergy, those specific WBC go haywire, causing, in dogs, licking of the paws, itching of the sides of the belly, ear infections, etc. Dog allergies usually don't show themselves through the respiratory tract, like in people. I know when someone is wearing Tommy Girl perfume, it makes me sneeze, I'm not allergic to it, but it is an irritant to me (it is not prolonged after the irritant is gone). With allergies, it usually will persist even when the allergic component is gone.

Thanks for the distinction Hypers987! Athena typically has been sneezing outside or right after coming in from outside. Maybe something in the air is irritating her? It has actually reduced a fair amount this week.

hypers987 wrote:

ZeusFamily wrote:

I noticed that Zeus started doing this the other night when my girlfriend had a vanilla incense burning. About 5 minutes after we put it out, he stopped. We were curious and wondering if that's what it was so we burned it again. Sure enough, he started sneezing and snorting again. Once it was out though again, he was absolutely fine. I was aware that dogs could have allergies, but I've never known any to be allergic to incense or candles.

Just find out what is making him do this, and try to eliminate it somehow. Does it only happen outside? If it does, Your Vet should be able to find a solution, or at least a way to sooth the problem to help Athena be more comfortable.

I think you are confusing allergy with irritant. Allergies involve the eosinophils (which are a white blood cell). When people, or dogs, have an allergy, those specific WBC go haywire, causing, in dogs, licking of the paws, itching of the sides of the belly, ear infections, etc. Dog allergies usually don't show themselves through the respiratory tract, like in people. I know when someone is wearing Tommy Girl perfume, it makes me sneeze, I'm not allergic to it, but it is an irritant to me (it is not prolonged after the irritant is gone). With allergies, it usually will persist even when the allergic component is gone.

Hm. I never knew that! I had always thought the sneezing and snorting (even from past dogs) were allergies.

What we use for allergies:

http://www.herbsmithinc.com/Home/Canine/Herbs/ClearAllerQi/default.asp

Works like a charm!

mheath0429 wrote:

What we use for allergies:

http://www.herbsmithinc.com/Home/Canine/Herbs/ClearAllerQi/default.asp

Works like a charm!

Megan,
Do you know if this would work on a dog with severe seasonal allergies where the dog will itch himself to where he's bleeding? If yes, I'd like to suggest this to a friend who has tried practically everything! Her dog is fine during late fall through winter but when early spring hits, he starts up and goes through summer.

Yes! I use it for Delilah for that because I was dosing her conventional meds and was tired of putting things into her body like that - this stuff works great. It's not instantaneous but it will work fully after a few weeks. To relieve itching I used a spray of ACV and Coconut oil, slightly warmed.

thanks Megan!

mheath0429 wrote:

To relieve itching I used a spray of ACV and Coconut oil, slightly warmed.

How much do you dilute ACV with water? Or do you mix ACV and coconut oil?
Thanks!

I usually use:

1 Tsp of ACV 1 Tsp of Coconut oil (slightly melted) and 1 cup of Warm Water. Adjust as necessary.

Thanks Megan!!

No problem!