Pet Allergy Services for Your Furry Family Members
Just like us, our furry friends get allergies. City By The Sea Veterinary Hospital is happy to help diagnose and treat your pet’s allergies. Cats and dogs often experience multiple pet allergy symptoms that often affect their quality of life. We’ll treat skin conditions resulting from fleas and other allergies and help your pets live a life without itching. City By The Sea Veterinary Hospital offers comprehensive pet services to ensure your pet lives its best life. Contact us today for an appointment!
Causes of Cat and Dog Allergies
Dog and cat allergies are often the results of:
- Various types of pollen
- Grass
- Dust Mites
- Mold spores
- Synthetic fabrics
- Certain foods
- Fleas
- Lawn treatments
- Soaps
Flea Allergies
Flea allergies in dogs and cats make them itch like crazy. The allergen is usually the flea saliva that causes itching. If your cat or dog has a flea allergy, you’ll notice intense itching from one bite.
Environmental Allergies
Pollen and dust are some of the most common pet allergies. If your pet never goes outside, laundry detergents or cleaning products could be the culprit. If the allergy symptoms come and go with the seasons, your pet probably has a seasonal environmental allergy.
Food Allergies
Food allergies are often challenging to diagnose. Dogs often develop a sensitivity to potatoes, rice, corn, or grains in their food. They rarely, but sometimes, suffer from protein food sensitivities to beef, chicken, pork, or turkey.
Allergy Symptoms in Dogs and Cats
Allergy symptoms in pets include:
- Red patches of skin
- Dry patches of skin
- Obsessive itching or licking at areas
- Red ears
- Skin odor
- Bleeding skin
Diagnosing Pet Allergies
City By The Sea Veterinary Hospital performs different activities and tests to diagnose your dog or cat allergies, including:
- Skin Test – A skin allergy test is a quick and effective way to pinpoint environmental or food triggers that cause allergic reactions.
- Seasonal Test – If your pet only shows irritation during specific seasons, they probably suffer from seasonal allergies
- Elimination – If you think food is upsetting your animal, first remove filler ingredients like corn, wheat, and grains. Slowly introduce foods to uncover the source of the allergy. (Cutaneous adverse food reactions or food allergies are only about 5-15% of allergy cases affecting the skin and they are most likely related to animal proteins rather than grains – Beef and dairy are the most common culprits. CORN was an offender in only about 2.5% of cases in a recent study (Verlinden A, Hesta M, Millet S, et al. Food allergy in dogs and cats: a review. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr2006;46:259–273.). We don’t support the use of grain-free diets.
Treating Pet Allergies
Pet allergies are easiest to treat when we know the root of the problem. If you know your pet is sensitive to flea bites, it’s important to stay updated with regular flea preventatives. Lifestyle changes like washing your dog with hypoallergenic shampoo, wiping their paws, and keeping their bed clean can help a dog with environmental allergies. If your animals have a food allergy, it’s essential always to read food labels. Brands may change their recipe without notice or use different proteins. When we have a plan in place, we can help your pet live its best life without itching from allergies.
Contact City By The Sea Veterinary Hospital
City By The Sea Veterinary Hospital wants to help your pet live without allergy aggravation. If your cat or dog is showing allergy symptoms, contact us to help diagnose and treat their issues. Our experienced team is here to help you and your pet. We offer comprehensive vet services for the well-being and positive health of your pet. Contact us today to learn more!