Ragweed, Ah yes! I remember.
Allergy sufferers are quickly remembering the reason they suffer in the fall. With the wheezing and sneezing, I feel the dastardly ragweed affecting my life. And, everywhere I go there are dozens just like me. Yes, it is time for my annual fall visit to my wonderful doctor. After antihistamines, decongestants and Tylenol, I give up. It will take more than I can muster to fight the ragweed this year.
Record pollen readings this season tell allergy sufferers why they’re sneezing and wheezing more than normal in the middle of allergy season. It seems ragweed thrives on wet summers, and this summer fit the bill. The huge masses of pollen that covers the infamous ragweed grows thicker in wet summer climates. So, on with the sneezing and wheezing until the good doctor gets us out of our misery. With ragweed season lasting from August through October, we have a long way to go.
What was surprising to me, is that the same tree, grass and weed pollen that causes respiratory problems in humans from early spring until early fall is also a problem for some pets. Ragweed can actually cause your dog to become congested and wheeze. One of my dogs has been wheezing and the other one has been scratching. My dog scratches and licks at his fur, then tugs and scratches some more. It seems they both share my misery, thanks to the ragweed.
I read that between 30 and 50 percent of all the dogs brought in for visits to a specific vet, during the last two weeks, were suffering from some problem connected with airborne allergies. Cats only occasionally show signs of allergic reactions to pollen in the air. And while a few dogs display some of the respiratory problems we get from allergies, most of the pet pollen issues lead to itching and scratching or licking of paws. Since my dogs share my house, I’m sure they are bringing into the house the mighty ragweed pollen.
Oh well, it’s off to the doctors for all three of us. It seems the ragweed has won this year, and after all, memories are made of things like this.
