Treating Cat & Dog Allergies in Arab
Many pets experience allergic reactions. They may be allergic to dust, pollen, fleas, trees, grass, materials, or even their food. Treating cat and dog allergies involves a two-fold approach: managing the symptoms as well as the cause of the allergy.
At Arab Veterinary Hospital, not far from Blountsville, Huntsville, Decatur and Guntersville, we provide your pet with the dermatology and allergy treatments they need. Call us at (256) 586-3183.
Recognizing a Pet Allergy
An allergy occurs when your pet’s immune system begins to mistakenly recognize a harmless substance (the allergen) as dangerous. The immune system flares up in response and causes all sorts of problems including some digestive and respiratory issues, but primarily skin conditions.
Possible symptoms of an allergy could include:
- Itchy, red skin
- Scabbed, irritated skin
- Runny, red eyes
- Pawing at the ears and frequent ear infections
- Chewing paws
- Constant licking
- Hair loss
A list of common allergens includes:
- Tree, grass, or weed pollens
- Dust and dander
- Mold spores
- Fabrics
- Fleas
- Cleaning products
- Medications
- ...and more.
Without treatment, pets may also suffer from secondary infections that cause even more pain and discomfort.
Pet Allergy Treatments
Before we start treatments, we’ll work together to fully understand the causes and symptoms of your pet’s allergy. We can perform biopsies, skin cultures, and video otoscopy (for ear infections) in-house to rule out any alternative problems. To confirm that your pet's condition is an allergy, we do recommend intradermal allergy testing at a referral laboratory. Once we understand exactly what the allergen is, we will treat the symptoms as well as manage the cause.
Common pet dermatology treatments include:
- Cytopoint (an injection that treats atopic dermatitis)
- Apoquel (a tablet that treats atopic dermatitis)
- Antihistamines
- Medicated shampoos
- Topicals
We’ll also discuss ways you can minimize your pet’s exposure to allergens so they don’t suffer from further discomfort. Call us today at (256) 586-3183 to make an appointment.