CHARLOTTE, N.C. — If you notice your pet scratching, chewing or licking its skin frequently this summer, you’re likely not alone.
A Charlotte veterinarian said this is the worst summer of pet allergies she’s seen in her eight years practicing in Charlotte with her office treating roughly 10 cases a day.
“Just our normal pets — that we normally see with allergies, we’re seeing them having flare-ups. But now, pets that haven’t had allergies previously, are coming in with problems,” said Dr. Lauren Hendren with Commonwealth Animal Hospital in Plaza Midwood.
The clinic treats hundreds of pets in the Charlotte region with five practicing veterinarians.
But this summer, one kind of appointment is filling the schedule with owners voicing the same concerns.
“Chewing on their feet, they’re licking excessively. We may see hair loss, especially on the feet or maybe on the under belly. Ears, ear shaking, debris coming out of the ears,” Hendren said about the suffering dogs.
Even cats are not immune with Hendren saying indoor cats are seeing an increase in allergies too.
“Just based on the number — and again the new patients that we haven’t had a problem with previously, that are all of a sudden flaring up,” Hendren described.
Treatment for the allergies is not always easy, usually requiring Hendren and her colleagues to rule things out, instead of a simple test to determine the allergen. After diagnosis, treatments can range from simple increased baths at home, to pills and eventually anti-allergen injections.
Depending on the dog and severity of the diagnosis it can cost anywhere from $300 to $700.
“I think that there are probably multiple complicating factors. We are seeing increased allergies in humans right now,” Hendren said.
The cause, in her professional opinion, is likely our changing planet climate and pollution, including recent hazy days from Canadian wildfire smoke.
“Climate change is definitely contributing. I just think there’s more pollen, it’s sticking around for longer. We’ve had a couple of really mild winters over the last couple of years. So, I think that’s part of it. And then again, with the increased dust from all of those fires and all the stuff that’s in the air, it’s just hard — it has nowhere to go,” Hendren added.
Pet owners can try a few home remedies to keep any allergen issues from getting worse. Hendren recommends giving your pet frequent baths with oatmeal-based shampoos, wiping paws after walks and bathroom visits outside and recommends frequently changing air filters in the home.