Do dogs get hayfever?

RE: Do dogs get hayfever?

Olivia Cook — Wed, 10 Sep 2025 18:19:29 GMT

Anecdotal (N=1 kennels) but one of my greyhound trainers had three greyhounds who produced red eyes and increased respiratory effort every year when local rape fields were in flower. Never treated but reported as a reason they had a break from racing in that period.

RE: Do dogs get hayfever?

David Mills — Wed, 10 Sep 2025 00:56:15 GMT

Hay fever sis just an allergy. In my opinion most canine bilateral conjunctivitis is allergy based.

AFAIK there isn't a vet licensed topical steroid-only drop. I use far less topical abx for eyes than I used to. Pre forte is a great medication.

RE: Do dogs get hayfever?

Francisco Gomez — Tue, 09 Sep 2025 20:59:21 GMT

The most common cause of uninfected red eye in young dogs is follicular (not bacterial) conjunctivitis. It's usually part of their normal immune development. If you have a slit lamp or use your ophthalmoscope, you might see the enlarged follicles.

There's usually no need for treatment, but in certain cases, you might want to prescribe a topical anti-inflammatory.

Other environmental allergens can cause similar reactions in sensitive dogs.

I guess you could call it 'hayfever',.. But not the term I'd use.

RE: Do dogs get hayfever?

Clive Ansell — Tue, 09 Sep 2025 20:12:41 GMT

A good question, and not something I have ever given much thought too.

Hayfever, probably does occur in our patients, we see cases of allergic conjunctivitis and allergic rhinitis, usually diagnosed by exclusion of other differentials, that does respond to, usually corticosteroid, treatment.

[quote userid="3169" url="~/f/non-clinical-questions/31239/do-dogs-get-hayfever"]Occasionally I have used pred drops for red, uninfected eyes. Never given an animal sodium cromoglicate - should I be? Am I missing something? [/quote]

Maybe? I have never prescribed the anti histamine sodium cromoglicate either, but given most of the topical eye meds and all of the corticosteroid containing ones I can think of are unlicenced for veterinary use, maybe we should condider it?

as an aside, how many are getting disclaimers signed when prescribing unlicenced eye meds? Chloramphenicol, maxitrol, maxidex, exocin, pred forte ?