Here is how you can help your pet this allergy season

FULTON COUNTY, Ga — If you have noticed your allergy symptoms flaring up recently, you’re not alone. Your pets could be suffering too.

Severe Weather Team 2 Meteorologist Eboni Deon learned how to help your pets steer clear of pollen.

Pollen is everywhere and with very warm temps returning this week, it will likely stay high. Making it even more challenging for people and pets to stay comfortable.

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“We see pets with the same kind of allergies that people go through. at this time of year, we see a lot of problems with what we call inhalant allergies. Things like the pine pollen that’s coating everyone’s car right now,” Dr. Kevin Winkler, a surgeon with Blue Pearl Veterinary Hospital said. “It can be sneezing which most people go through but dogs very specifically like to lick their feet. If you see them licking their feet constantly that can be inhalant allergies.”

Rodman Delveaux said his dog Max sometimes coughs after a walk outdoors.

“He walks around the house lick, lick, lick and he might leave a wet spot somewhere,” Delveaux said.

Winkler said mild cases can be treated with antihistamines recommended by your veterinarian. but in more severe cases:

“Go through skin testing and many things that we’d go through and ultimately end up on skin injections to ultimately try to solve the problem.”

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Deon spoke to Dr. Stanley Fineman, an allergist for Atlanta Allergy and Asthma and he said he expects the pollen season to last longer since it started much earlier than usual.

“February we recorded 14 days in the high range for high pollen which is unheard of. More than any since we started doing pollen counts,” Fineman said.

Spring-like warmth and fewer freezing temperatures in February contributed to the early start and high count.

Fineman said pollen tends to rise around noon. Mornings are best for longers walks with your dogs.

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When indoors keep your windows closed.

You can minimize the impacts of high pollen by reducing your exposure and monitoring the pollen count daily.

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