If you’ve ever had to take a Benadryl to ease the symptoms of an allergy, you probably understand why it’s a good idea to give your pet a little dose from time to time. Unfortunately, it’s not always easy to tell if you’re giving your pet too much, or too little. Below are some tips for determining whether or not your animal needs a little extra help.
Allergies caused by pollen
Pollen is one of the most common allergens. It is released by plants. When it comes in contact with people, it can cause a range of allergy symptoms, such as itching, sneezing, runny nose, and even a cough. If you suffer from an allergy, you can treat the symptoms with medicines.
The first step in treating allergies is to recognize what causes them. Most people are aware that seasonal allergies are caused by outdoor allergens. However, there are other allergens that can strike at any time of year.
A common culprit is ragweed. This plant produces millions of grains of pollen per day. Ragweed’s pollen can travel hundreds of miles in the wind. Although ragweed is not contagious, it can cause asthma and other allergic reactions.
Other common weeds include sagebrush and redroot pigweed. Tree pollens can also cause problems. They are a little less allergenic than ragweed, but they can still cause problems.
If you are having trouble with your allergies, you should consult your doctor. Antihistamines may help reduce the sneezing and other allergy symptoms. You can also try immunotherapy. In the form of allergy shots or sublingual immunotherapy, these can decrease the symptoms.
Another way to alleviate the allergy symptoms is to wear a mask. Although these masks are inexpensive, they do not stop pollen from getting in your nose.
You can also try a nasal corticosteroid. This helps to reduce the inflammation of the nose and throat, and relieve the congestion. Corticosteroids are effective in relieving nasal symptoms and have minimal side effects.
For allergy relief, you should consider avoiding any food that contains pollen. Some foods such as bananas, watermelon, and sunflower seeds are known to cause a reaction.
Dust mites
If you are lucky enough to live in a house with a furry pal, you will undoubtedly have some form of allergy or aversion. The good news is that it is not impossible to avoid the allergens. It’s just a matter of good judgment. In some cases, the best thing to do is to keep your eyes open. For the rest of us, it’s a matter of being prepared. With the proper gear in place, you can keep your sniffles at bay. Of course, you should never assume that your animal will behave as though you’re not there. Just because you’re not around does not mean you can’t get your furry pal to poop on you.
In addition to the usual suspects, your pet rabbit can also be a source of allergens. Aside from regular vet visits, one of the best ways to keep your furry friend at bay is to ensure the best possible ventilation. This means frequent cleaning and dusting, and a well stocked litter box. As a rule of thumb, 80% of a healthy rabbit’s diet should be comprised of fresh hay. Hay can be a good source of icky dust, so be sure to store it properly.
There are no magic pills when it comes to keeping your buns happy. However, the best way to do so is to educate yourself about your pet’s allergens and learn what you can and can’t do. For example, if your pet is allergic to cats, a cat fence is a great way to keep her from escaping. Similarly, if your rabbit is allergic to dogs, it’s better to be safe than sorry.
Food allergies
Despite their small size, rabbits are sensitive to a wide variety of substances. These can range from fleas and mites to dust and fumes in the air and food. The symptoms of an allergic reaction can vary from a minor rash to anaphylaxis. It is important to understand the warning signs.
The best way to find out what a rabbit is allergic to is to remove the offending material from the diet. Rabbits are also very sensitive to common environmental allergens such as cigarette smoke and pollen. If you are going to keep your rabbit indoors, you should be aware that the chances of a severe allergic reaction are higher.
An allergy ridden rabbit may require a trip to the vet. The vet may need to rule out endocrine diseases and skin mites before making any conclusive recommendations. You can help avoid a visit by ensuring that your rabbit has plenty of exercise, eats well, and doesn’t overdo the bathing ritual.
There is an old adage in medicine that says, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” If your rabbit suffers from a chronic allergic response, removing the offending substance is the only surefire way to prevent an adverse reaction.
Another option for preventing an allergic response is to take your pet to a vet that specializes in the care of rabbits. Depending on the severity of the allergy, your veterinarian might suggest using antihistamines to reduce the reaction. Other medications such as albuterol are also available. Using the right kind of epinephrine can restore a severely allergic rabbit to a normal state.
Whether your bunny suffers from a sensitivity to a specific food, or the entire diet, you will be happy to know that there are effective treatments. Ultimately, though, it all comes down to how you treat your pet.
Snuffles
Whether you have one rabbit or a family of them, there are certain things you should know if your rabbit becomes sick. Snuffles in rabbits is a disease resulting from a bacterial upper respiratory infection. It is common and can be treated. Symptoms of snuffles include snoring, a runny nose, a thick mucous discharge, and trouble breathing.
This condition is caused by bacteria called pasteurella. It infects the areas around the eyes, nose, and ear. In severe cases, the infection can also travel to the lungs. If left untreated, snuffles can cause pneumonia and even death.
If your rabbit is suffering from snuffles, it is important to get immediate medical help. The condition can cause pneumonia, and the bacteria can enter the ear canals. Your veterinarian can prescribe antibiotics to treat the snuffles, or you may need to nebulize your rabbit.
There are many medications for snuffles in rabbits, but the most commonly prescribed treatment is antihistamine. Antihistamine helps decrease the inflammation that causes itching, redness, and swelling. You can give antihistamine orally or apply a topical ointment to the affected area.
Benadryl can be helpful in rabbits with snuffles, but you shouldn’t give your rabbit this medication if the problem isn’t severe. Also, you should always use a syringe when force-feeding your rabbit.
Another possible cause of snuffles is seasonal allergies. A variety of allergens can affect your rabbit, including dust mites, pollen, and hay. Therefore, it is a good idea to find a rabbit that’s hypoallergenic.
When your rabbit isn’t suffering from snuffles, he might snore or sleep with his head tilted. This is a sign that his teeth are too overgrown. Depending on the severity of the condition, your veterinarian may recommend a minor operation to remove the overgrown tooth.
Mouth breathing
If your rabbit is having a coughing fit or you have a pal who just can’t seem to get to sleep, consider getting a benadryl for mouth breathing. This is one of the more common ailments that plague many house rabbits, and if left unchecked can lead to a bout of pneumonia.
The best bet is to get an animal rescue or exotic pet expert to administer the treatment. They are well suited to the task and able to give your pal a decent shot at recovery. It is important to get a medical opinion before making any drastic decisions, but be prepared for a pricey bill.
Aside from giving your squirmy pal the good stuff, it is important to ensure they get a regular checkup to ensure no icky germs make their way into their system. Some of the more common ailments include respiratory infections and dental issues. For the latter, a visit to a veterinarian may be the only way to go. In fact, rabbits with a tooth or two that are in need of removal may require a simple operation to get the job done.
Another less than obvious but not inconvenient thing to do is to ensure you have a syringe on hand in case your pal is having a hard time. Using this syringe to get rid of nasal mucus should make your pal feel better in no time. Alternatively, you can get him to cough up the snots by suctioning out the debris. Ensure you have a syringe that will work on both sides of the nose, and keep it in a safe place for the next time.