Spring Time - Pollen Time

Spring time is a great time with all trees in bloom - their whites, pinks and yellows make the countryside look so beautiful.

But not only are the flowers in bloom, their pollens are blowing all around us.

Maybe you have seen the tale tell sign of a yellow film covering trails, parks, cars, decks - this is the first fall of the pine pollen.

For some of us with itchy pets this means the start of the new season allergies, itchy paws, itchy spots, itchy dogs! Oh joy!

But there are ways to help you through. Understanding the environmental allergens, when they start and what to look for is the first step.

Pollens

Pine Pollens are the first to fall and you’ll notice a fine film on the tracks, streets and cars – a yellow powder that seems to get everywhere – this is the pine pollen and often the start of hay fever and hay fever like symptoms.

Pollens get trapped against the fur and then the spores from the pollens are absorbed into the dog’s skin. This starts the vicious circle of scratch, bite, lick. The dog is irritated and their way to relieve the itch is to scratch, bite or lick, which only makes matters worse as this transfers the rash to other parts of the body , for example, the muzzle.

Did you know that dogs can suffer with hayfever too?  Like us they can get sore irritated eyes, itchy noses and muzzles.

Grasses

 

Grasses and grass seeds are next and these can cause an immediate reaction on dogs. Often with grasses the feet are affected first (but symptoms can present on any areas of the body). Rashes can start in the underarms (a moist area) but can quickly transfer all over the body with their scratching, biting and licking.

Itchy Paws 

With the feet they become red, inflamed and itchy. The constant gnawing at the feet makes it worse, the fur between the toes will be a brown/red colour, you may notice deep red patches and a couple of lesions may be present – this is all caused by the licking, gnawing.

Itchy Spots & Welts

It doesn’t take long for red and  inflamed spots to turn into welts. Imagine an itch you just cannot relieve - you’d keep scratching at it right?

Well this is what our dogs are doing scratch, scratch, scratch but our poor babies are only making matters worse - re infecting the areas with dirty paws, opening up spots and welts so that the infection can take a deeper hold. The welts grow in size and soon there are spots all over your dog’s body.

Keep Me Clean, Make Me Happy

Washing your dog is always beneficial as this removes the pollens and allergens from the skin.

Use a light gentle natural soap or shampoo. One that contains neem is a good idea as this is an insect deterrent, great for managing fleas too.

For the feet a simple saline solution (1 tsp salt in a cup of purified water)  will suffice – the aim is to keep the feet clean and dirt free (dirt irritates any weakness further).

While a saline solution or soap keeps the areas clean it doesn’t stop the skin from being irritated and itchy.

What is needed is a balm that stops the itching and aids the skin’s health, this is where Eezapet comes into play.

 

Stopping the itch/scratch cycle is paramount in containing rashes

 

Our fast acting balm is applied to the skin and starts activating immediately. Within 5-15 minutes you will notice the itching has subsided but our Eezapet balm doesn’t stop there it continues to soothe and heal helping the skin to repair and fight off the allergens irritating it in the first place. When your dog can start sleeping instead of gnawing then you know you’re onto a good thing.

For severe allergy sufferers - particularly on the feet - we recommend

• applying Eezapet before walks 
• washing the feet in saline after the walk
• dry the feet
• reapply Eezapet 

Applying before a walk gives protection as Eezapet is a barrier balm having a high concentration of beeswax. Cleaning after walks removes the dirt and spores.  Reapplying Eezapet after cleaning lets the properties of our herbs start activating on the skin – soothing, healing and relieving.

Always ‘spot’ check your dog – it is far easier to contain a rash at the beginning.

• Any signs of itching apply Eezapet
• Any signs of redness apply Eezapet
• Any lesions apply Eezapet

Remember a little goes a LONG way with Eezapet.

It’s not a lotion but a barrier cream so just a dab is all that is needed.

If you know your dog is susceptible to itchy paws then use Eezapet as a preventative. Start applying before the rashes begin to give them strength and protection.

One of our stockists The Hounds Hangout uses Eezapet on all dogs washed in their spa – like a mini pedicure or pawdicure if you like - after nail trimming they all get an Eezapet paw pad massage and a quick dab on the nails/claws for extra support and strength.

 

 

BUY YOUR EEZAPET TODAY