Dog allergies: Cresswell has them!
I have sore eyes!
Like clock-work each October (a few weeks into spring) Cress comes inside after running around the backyard and his eyes look a little red. Several days later his third eyelids are inflamed and his eyes are watery and we are off to the vet for some cream to get his eyes back to normal.
This is the third year in a row now (he is 3 years old) and we (the vet included) are positive it is some plant or grass species in our yard that is causing the issues, as we have ruled out most of the other causes. Of course it doesn’t help that Cress runs through our back hedge at a million miles an hour without concern for pointy sticks, but the eye trouble only happens mid-spring as the weather starts to get hotter.
So I have been trying to research what plants can cause allergies in dogs, specifically those that irritate the eyes. So far I am not having much luck as there are lots of vague resources that just say ivy and grasses without naming specific types or what part of the plant causes the problems (pollen, sap, leaves?). Combine that issue with my very poor skills at identifying plants species and Cress’s eye problems don’t look like they will be solved soon. Ideally I would like to know which plant is the main culprit and see if I can remove it or fence it off so Cress can’t get his face near it. I have ruled out a few plants like Oleander, Liquidambar, Plane Trees, Asthma weed and we are also trying to keep our lawn mown and our hedges cut back.
So I wanted to ask you, our readers, does your dog get any plant allergies at any time of year and if so do you know what plants may cause them? We would appreciate any help, advice or information that would help Cressie and his poor sore eyes.
Published on October 21, 2011
6 comments from other dog lovers
Soda went through a few years as a young dog where she was allergic to grass in Springtime, which brought a rash up on her belly. I would dutifully rub in the cream the vet prescribed, but then one year it was gone. So it could be the grass flowering or something in your yard at this specific time? (sorry my comment is completely unhelpful!!) Hope Cress feel better soon!
It is helpful
Great to know Soda grew out of it. Actually thinking about it his eyes don’t seem as bad as last year but I will see how we go over the next few weeks.
The one plus is he is an excellent receiver of eye drops and cream, sitting very still as he knows he will always get a treat afterwards!
My dog Jack has a bad allergic reaction to grass right after it has been cut. His eyes get really swollen and watery. Now we just keep him inside for the first day or so after the grass has been cut. We also try to keep the eye area clean by just wiping them with a clean damp washcloth after a particularly long play outside. Hope that helps!
Thanks Brittney, we will definitely try both these things with Cress, it is good to hear other people’s experiences!
Our dog Mia also gets an allergic reaction to the grass right after it is cut so we also keep her inside for a couple of days after the grass is cut and I agree that wiping the eyes with a damp cloth after a play outside helps to prevent the reaction. I hope it gets better for Cress!
Hi
Just came across your article and wondered if you’d got any further in tracking down what was causing the problem. My GSD gets a discharge from one or both eyes from time to time and a sort of slightly swollen look about the inside corner and I put it down to him sticking his head into hedges (following smells of foxes). He doesn’t seem to care about the jaggy bits! I haven’t taken him to the vet as it usually clears up in a day or so if I rinse his eyes with sterile water. It can happen at any time of year but the hedges I’m talking about are evergreen. Have you heard of an allergy like this before? I’d be grateful for any help you can give.
Thanks
Susan