I'm just a little distracted. Spring has sprung and I'm beyond excited. Spring fever has me itching to write about long-awaited games of fetch, sunny morning walks, and constant bunny-watching. This month's column, however, is about an itch of another sort: seasonal allergies. Okay, so it's not the most fun topic, but it's something every pet parent needs to know!

Basically, we can get allergies just like our people, and we're allergic to lots of the same things. Tree and grass pollens can cause us to itch and scratch, chew our paws, have watery eyes, sneeze, get skin inflammation, and lose our hair. These reactions aren't always the result of pollen, of course. We can also be sensitive to fleas, mold, food ingredients, medications, dust, and a long list of other culprits.

An easy way to find out exactly what's bothering us is to ask a vet to perform a skin allergy panel. It's not uncommon for vets to sedate pets during testing, and while the tests can be expensive, they do help determine exactly where the problem lies.

For this column, I'm focusing on seasonal allergies. Just being aware of how pollen counts are trending in a region can be extremely helpful. If a dog's symptoms worsen as pollen counts climb each year, it's most likely a seasonal situation. Keep in mind that some allergies can develop later in life, so even if a dog has always been allergy-free, allergies can still pop up when spring arrives.

In addition to the pollen that annoys many of us in the spring, chemicals used to treat lawns can wreak havoc on us. Dogs should stay off of surfaces that have been exposed to harsh pesticides. People who treat their own yards should always use pet-safe formulas. It's often harder for people who live in communities where property managers choose the form of lawn treatments. In those situations, residents have to be proactive and demand a pet-safe approach. Our reactions to pesticides can range from mild to severe, so it's best to avoid exposure completely.

Treating seasonal allergies can be a challenge, but there are lots of options. Some are much, much better than others! Vets can help navigate all of the medications out there. Treatments like antihistamines, Benadryl, topical sprays, shampoos, and/or allergy shots may be appropriate. Additionally, air filtration can sometimes be enough to ease the irritation. Keeping doors and windows closed and installing a really good filter reduces exposure to irritants.

One thing I would definitely caution against is the frequent use of steroids such as Prednisone. In my humble opinion, steroids are prescribed far too often. They're administered in the form of pills or shots and they are not expensive. However, long-term steroid use can damage internal organs, promote incontinence, and jeopardize a dog's overall well being. Yes, they work well as an emergency method of interrupting the immune response, but they should always be used sparingly.

Sneezing, itching, scratching … yuck! People don't like it and neither do we! Fortunately, with a little research and TLC, allergy symptoms can be off of the agenda. It's spring, and all of us pups have lots better things to do. Hey … is that a ball in my person's hand? And a leash? Time for this canine journalist to close up the laptop and head into the great outdoors!

Albert, a Jack Russell Terrier, is Chairman of the Board of Wylie Wagg, a shop for dogs, cats, and their people, in Middleburg, Fairfax, Falls Church and Arlington.