How to Care for Your Pet’s Skin Allergies

Allergies in pets can result in everything from itching and dry skin to recurring ear infections. It’s also possible that your pet’s skin irritation is the result of another cause, such as fleas. Typically, a veterinarian will be able to identify the root of the problem and either treat it or recommend a specialist to help in cases of severe or chronic issues.

That’s why it’s important to find the best pet care in Saint Francisville, LA for your furry friend. St. Francisville Animal Hospital has over 35 years of experience and provides an exceptional level of care for every animal who comes through our doors. Read on to find out if your pet may be suffering from allergies.

Symptoms

Pets that suffer from allergies typically show symptoms including:

• Itching and scratching
• Sneezing and runny nose
• Ear infections
• Shaking head
• Scratching or rubbing the ears
• Rashes
• Vomiting and diarrhea

Causes

There are a number of reasons your pet may be experiencing allergies. Veterinarians perform exams, blood and skin tests and food trials to isolate what exactly your pet is allergic to.

Like humans, pets may be allergic to environmental irritants, including dust, mold, smoke, and pollen. These can cause everything from irritated skin to respiratory problems.

It’s also possible that your pet’s allergies are related to food. This is the case for a small number of pets who have negative immune system responses to the proteins in meat, eggs, chicken, wheat and fish. Your veterinarian may recommend a diet to test whether food allergies are the culprit.

Treatment

Your veterinarian could recommend a change in diet if food allergies are indeed the root cause. Another possibility is medication to control the pet’s allergies. These include antihistamines, steroids and immunotherapy.

Immunotherapy involves providing injections of the allergens in tiny quantities. In turn, the pet’s immune system will be reshaped to react less severely to those allergens, thereby eliminating symptoms. Immunotherapy is one of the most commonly prescribed treatments for cat and dog allergies. That’s because it’s proven to be effective in a majority of cases.

Your veterinarian may also see if your pet’s environment and hygiene can be improved. This includes changing your pet’s bedding and additional bathing and grooming. If the root cause wasn’t allergies, the vet may recommend ectoparasite control to get rid of fleas.

If you think your pet is suffering from allergies, it’s time to seek out professional pet care in Saint Francisville, LA. Here at St. Francisville Animal Hospital, we know how important your animal is and will always treat them with only the utmost respect and care. If you can’t make it to our clinic, we’ll come to you. That’s because we’re committed to providing the best care to every single one of our clients.

We offer a wide range of veterinarian services, including surgery, examinations, vaccinations, emergency services and even pet adoptions. Give St. Francisville Animal Hospital a call today and find out what sets us apart—we look forward to meeting you and your pet!

Categorised in: Pet Care