Allergies associated with Rhinitis and Sinusitis
Last week we dealt with Sinusitis and Rhinitis (in Greek, Rhis means nose) as being the result of nose infections, or as an accompaniment to special viral diseases of Canine Distemper, Parainfluenza, etc. Well that’s true but not the sole truth. I have been reminded that allergies can bring about Sinusitis or a Rhinitis. In these allergy-based ailments, pollen particles floating in the air is one of the disease-precipitating culprits. Ordinary dust in the general environment and/or in the home can be associated with allergic reactions. In the dry season, we veterinarians encounter several cases of nasal ailments resulting from dust/pollen allergies.
Allergic Sinusitis and Rhinitis can also be associated with other environmental irritants such as cigarette smoke (second-hand inhalation of the nicotine and tar emanating from the cigarette), burning of sugar cane during harvesting, moulds (fungal spores floating in the dry air), gases/exhaust fumes (especially in the urban areas).
In addition, scientists have found that (the excess of) abnormal odours like perfumes contained in the care-giver’s toiletries, and even in air fresheners can themselves cause allergic reactions or at least complicate and aggravate already existing bacterial/viral problems in the nostrils and sinuses. And, of course, the exposure of the dog to toxic chemicals such as