Trees are Blooming and making Missy sick

[Susan J]

Spring is finally here in Texas and the tree pollen is high.  All week Missy has been waking up in the middle of the night (about 3 or 4 AM) to  .

It's mostly yellow mucus.  It's not that she is hungry.  She is a full 15 pounds, her top weight and sometimes the bit of food left in her tummy comes up first followed by lots of stringy mucus.  I can hear her clearing her throat and it's as if she has a sinus irritation that causes the mucus to drip into her tummy until that starts rumbling.

She always jumps out of bed before she starts to make the "gunking" noise and most nights, I have been able to hop up (my back is getting better) and scoop her up and onto the bathroom tiles before it comes up.  Last night she just wanted to lay on the bath rug a little while instead of coming back to bed and she was right.  In a little while more came up.  It was a lot and she is even getting a hot spot and itchies again.

Finally, around 5AM, I gave her a tiny bit of baby benadryl.   I hate to drug her but I think I might give her a bit at bedtime tonight and see if that helps.  Any one else have this problem with tree and/or grass pollen?

[Terri]

Oh no... poor sweet little Missy.

Belle doesn't have this trouble, so I don't know a thing about it, but I would think the Benadryl would be a good idea, just to relieve her discomfort.

You could send her to me, we still have loads of snow. (I know that's highly unlikely)

Hopefully someone will be along soon with proper advice for you. ♥

[Susan J]

Thanks Terri    She seem perfectly fine and normal during the day, except for this morning since I think the benadryl still has her a bit sleepy.   

[EDDEL]

Oh dear! Poor Missy!

I don't have any advice to offer since I have no personal experience to speak from.  Have you ever thought of / discussed immnotherapy with Missy's vet?  Here's an article on peteducation.com with more info.  I've read one way to combat inhalent allergies is through desensitization (or hyposensitization as immunotherapy is sometimes called).  This process eliminates unwanted reactions to the offending allergen through continuous exposure.  Drastic measure I know.  Don't think any of us can put our fluffs through it.

Please give Missy lotsa cuddles for me.  So sad that the coming of Spring spells discomfort for her.  

[Susan J]

Del,

I am a seasonal allergy sufferer and I remember when one year I was desperate enough to try a homeopathic remedy.     I thought I was going to die.   

I look at all the testing that Annie did with Jake (who also lives in a Southern state but with a bit different climate) and it seems as though he came back with allergies to just about everything.   

I'm afraid that is the case with Missy.  It's a shame because she so loves her very long walks.  I really hope that the bedtime dose of benedryl does the trick and , at least, she will be sleepy at the right time.     I know it does make her thirsty so a positive is that she will be drinking more.   

[Alison]

Poor thing.I'm so sorry to hear that.

I was wondering if the vet could give her a non drowsy antihistamine for a few weeks.Thats what they do for people,but not sure if they are available for dogs.

I hope she's feeling much better soon Alison

[Susan J]

Thanks Alison,

She is tired today but she took two long walks already even though she is catching naps in between.  She went over to the golf course yesterday for a long walk and probably was exposed to a lot of grass pollen too.

I guess I'll see tonight if giving her a dose at bedtime does the trick.  I'll also turn the ionizer on to help clear the air.  I think this is another example of fluffs being more like humans than dogs.  How many dogs do you hear suffering from hay fever? 

I'm glad that Abby doesn't have that problem added to her recovery. 

[kate1064]

Aw poor Missy 
What a shame  I've never had a fluff with hayfever.
I hope she sleeps better tonight after her benadryl and the ioniser 

[Susan J]

Thanks Kate.  me too     

[Lizzie]

I do so hope Missy gets a good night's sleep and you too.  Fingers crossed the Benadryl works.   

  can get hay fever.  We have a dog that comes regularly for grooming and every year he is put on Piriton.  It's the grass that causes his. John (his owner) hates the summer when his sit-on mower has to come out because bet your bottom dollar that as soon as it starts so does Snap.  His older brother = Crackle is not affected.

[Susan J]

Thanks Lizzie.      If the benadryl doesn't work, I'll ask her vet about Piriton or other alternatives.

[lorraine (Lorraine)]

Poor Missy, that can't be nice for you both. I am sorry that I can't offer suggestions that may help but hope that the nasty pollens dissappear soon. Do you have this problem every spring, Susan?

[Susan J]

Hi Lorraine, 

We have had the problem with the itching every Spring but this has been the worst so far for the mucus. She has never been one to  much.  I think the fact that it has been almost every night this week around the same time is what is so different this year.

We have had one of the worst winters in our record books and there is a lot of dead and decaying vegetation along with all the new stuff coming out.  We have daily reports for allergy sufferers and right now both tree and grass pollen are very high.

[marilyn]

Aww thats such a shame the pollen season is a real nightmare for the fluffers and humans

Do you have to wash the pollen from her coat Susan?

I remember being at Gregors one March and everything was green in the morning we had to hose things down. His Cat's are not allowed outdoors for a while during this month.

So hope the wee one gets some relief tonight

Sending huggles 

Marilyn 

[Susan J]

Yes, Marilyn, it does help to bathe her.  When she comes in, I can see the stuff all over her.  Clothing helps a lot too.    There are also a lot of grass fleas, etc. all hungry and ready to bite her.  She takes Sentinel so if they bite her, they die but that doesn't keep them from biting.  I'm looking at an all natural repellent that the rescue site sells and wondering if that would help with the bugs.