Coughing & Sneezing from Allergies?

[Mrs.F]

My friend Jacque phoned me last night to tell me that her 13 month old dachshund Moxie has been coughing and gagging until she brings up a foamy type of something...
This has been going on for a few days so late yesterday afternoon Jacque took her to the vet and she was diagnosed with allergies to pollen and grass. She is taking an oral corticosteroid.
I too have had a rough time with my allergies and asthma this week so this is the right time of year for pollen problems in Maine, but when I tried to find some info on the internet for her, everything I could find says that a dog's allergies manifest themselves in itching - not coughing or sneezing.
I wouldn't be quite so worried I suppose, except that Jacque took Moxie to my old vet. A pleasant elderly gentleman with reasonable rates but he is not very familiar with dachshunds....some of you may recall that I had some questions and concerns after Penny's seizures and switched vets.
I hope that I'm worrying for nothing - has anyone out there had any experience with dachsie allergies to grass and pollens?

[Marci]

Hi!

You may have seen my post about reverse sneezing. This is what my vet said Lucy was experiencing (last year) when I asked him if dogs could have people type respiratory allergies or asthma. In other words, he said "no". I am taking her the week after next for her annual checkup and had planned to re-open that conversation since she is experiencing the same thing your friend's dachsie was and it is so alarming to watch!! I want to do anything possible to help her. It seems so much in line with people allergy season, it makes sense, right?
http://dachsie.org/ubb/frown.gif

[Penny's Aunt]

At another dog site, the same discussion has come up. It's that time of year! Several of the people there suggested Benedryl for allergy symptoms if they are reasonably severe. Mild symptoms (to me) can probably just be lived with.

My Mom is on a lot of medication, & her doctor says Benedryl (or the generic equivalent) is the safest for her.

So, if your dog is on regular med for other things, check with your PHARMACIST about whether or not it will react badly with the Benedryl. (Benedryl comes in both tablets & liquid. The liquid may be easiest for reducing the dosage for small bodies.)

[wireweiners]

Most dog allergies do manifest themselves as itching rather than nasal problems like us people. Dogs also tend to eat a lot of grass this time of year. That could irritate her throat and cause the gagging.

[Mandy]

Any animal can have allergies and I know many can have asthma. My sister's dog has allergies and he has to have a benadryl spray that goes on his feet (he will bite and scratch until they bleed otherwise).

Some friends of ours have a cat who is allergic to dust. Since she is always sniffing and checking things out, she tends to get dust under her chin. This causes her to break out on her chin. She takes allergy pills (neatly hidden in treats) and also gets a 5% acne treatment put on her chin (not her favorite thing...her daddy gets scratched for this).

As far as Benadryl goes....it now comes in topical forms which are really great. I worked in a pharmacy and for any pregnant individuals who cannot ingest Benadryl because of the baby...it can be applied to your skin safely for those itches or whatever. Be careful though....I for one am allergic to Benadryl and it causes me to have an asthma attack. I would want to watch my pet when using it, especially if you have never used it on your pet before. And it never hurts to call up your vet with questions. If your vet tells you that pets don't have allergies, try another vet.