If your pet suffers from allergies that affect his eyes, giving him prompt eye allergy relief will help to ease his pain and discomfort. Eye allergies can be a major problem for dogs living in certain parts of the world, and it's not at all uncommon to see signs of allergies in your pet during certain times of year. These symptoms of allergies of the eye include redness, swollen eyes, discharge, rubbing and other related symptoms as well. If you notice your pet suffering from eye allergies, take him to the vet for treatment options and diagnosis. Some of the best treatments can be found below.
Antihistamines for Dog Allergy Relief
Antihistamines are medicines that block the reception of histamine cells throughout your pet's body. They are the primary mode of defense in veterinary medicine against allergic reactions. They work very effectively because of the way that allergies work in your dog's system. When your pet comes into contact with an offending allergen, his body reacts by producing histamines. These histamines then connect with receptor cells in your dog's body, and this bonding process results in the appearance of the symptoms of an allergic reaction. If the histamine cells can't bond with the receptor cells, your pet will not suffer from the symptoms of the reaction.
Nutritional Supplements for Eye Allergies
Nutritional supplements like vitamin E and vitamin C can help to improve your pet's immune system and reduce his reaction to certain types of allergens. Consult with your vet before giving your dog any type of nutritional supplement, however, as it can affect many other aspects of his life and health as well.
Direct Relief for Dog Eye Allergies
With proper care, you can clean out your pet's eyes and remove any debris or other items which may be contributing to or exacerbating the reaction. If you do this, it's important to learn first how to safely clean your dog's eyes out from a vet. You can gently flush your pet's eyes with lukewarm sterilized water in order to help relieve some of his systems over the short term.
Remove Atopic Allergens
Many eye allergies are caused by atopic reactions, or reactions to particles that float in the air. Removing those particles will help to reduce your pet's reaction. You can do this by adding hypo allergenic fabrics and furniture to your home, by using specialized air purifiers, and by keeping pollen and dust out of your home as well. If your pet is allergic to fumes from a certain type of chemical or cleaner in your home, you'll greatly help to reduce your pet's reaction by removing all traces of that item from his environment.
Change the Food Source
Sometimes eye allergies are caused by an ingredient in the food that your dog eats. Specialized allergen-free diets are available without the most common allergens as ingredients. Before you change your pet's food, however, it's a good idea to work with your vet to determine the exact cause of his reaction.