Manage Pet Allergy Symptoms

If you count yourself among this group, check out these five methods for finding some relief.

You're no stranger to a stuffy nose, itchy eyes, rashes and welts. You're one of more than 60 million Americans the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America estimates are affected by allergies in general, but your symptoms always seem to show up when one of man's furry friends -- a pet -- comes around. This may not be the most convenient of allergies you could have, especially if you're an animal lover, but at least you know you're in good company: Up to a third of all allergies are animal-related, and, according to the Humane Society of the United States, there are approximately 77.5 million dogs and 93.6 million cats owned as pets. This means there are many people out there experiencing at least a few of these symptoms when they're in the presence of a furry friend:

Stuffy or runny nose

Red, itchy eyes

Coughing

Excessive sneezing

Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing

KEEP YOUR DISTANCE

1. KEEP YOUR DISTANCE

The first line of defense for dealing with a pet allergy is trying to limit your contact with animals whenever possible. This includes resisting any urge to become a pet parent yourself, but if you just can't stand the idea of not having a pet in your home, consider adopting an animal that doesn't have fur or feathers, such as a fish, snake or turtle. Also, if you're planning to drop in on friends who have pets in their household, remember to plan accordingly, and try taking antihistamines ahead of time. While you might be able to tolerate being around pets for a shorter event, such as a dinner party, a longer-term situation like an overnight stay could be a recipe for disaster. Springing for a hotel might make a dent in your wallet, but your immune system will thank you.

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Common Dog Tooth Problems

Your dog's happy, carefree life should be unbothered by dental concerns, right? Think again. Vets say 85 percent of canines over age 4 have some form of gum disease. Other frequent problems include crooked, cracked or loose teeth, an infection or an abscess. You may not even know when your dog has oral discomfort. This is part of his ancestry -- in the wild, showing pain would make a dog vulnerable to attack. Today's domestic canines maintain this instinct, so you have to do your best to watch for signs: changes to eating habits or loss of appetite, unusual night awakenings, rubbing the face against things or facial swelling. Any time you suspect a problem, check with your vet, who may refer you to a veterinary dentist. If your dog's problem requires a procedure -- such as a tooth extraction or professional cleaning -- he'll probably be given a general anesthetic to make him more comfortable during the procedure. When he wakes up, he'll be happy to be relieved of that nagging ache in his mouth! Without further ado, here are five common dental problems dogs face

LOOSE TOOTH :-

For puppies, loose teeth aren't a problem. Just like humans, their first set of teeth, called deciduous teeth, need to fall out to make room for their larger, permanent teeth. Between 4 and 6 months old, your pup will have frequent loose teeth. You may even find some cast-off ones in his bedding or around the house. By the time he's about 7 or 8 months old, he should well on his way to sporting a new set of 42 adult teeth. While all this activity is going on, periodically check inside your puppy's mouth. Retained baby teeth are common -- the deciduous tooth hasn't completely fallen out, but the adult tooth is coming in. If you see two teeth occupying one spot in your puppy's mouth, check with your vet, who can help get the baby tooth out of the way. Otherwise, the adult tooth may come in crooked, possibly causing later problems. For an adult dog, a loose tooth is more suspect. It usually results from trauma to the mouth or from gum loss due to advanced periodontal disease. It may also be a sign of illness. Visit your vet if your adult dog has a loose tooth. She may do an X-ray to examine the tooth's root or conduct an overall exam to screen for health issues. In almost all cases, a loose tooth won't correct itself, so your vet may suggest an extraction.

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