Allergies Abound

With the weather starting to change many people may start to see their pets becoming more uncomfortable and start to scratch.  Allergies are an immune system response to a stimulus.  Allergies can have several causes, be it seasonal or nutritional.  When your pet starts to become irritated it is time to see their health care team. 

 Allergic reactions in animals vary from that of humans in outward symptoms.  Pets don't generally have sneezing or watery eyes but may begin to lick and scratch themselves.  Take note of the actions your pet is exhibiting as they will help to formulate a diagnosis by the Veterinarian.  Alleriges can occur with even the smallest exposure to an allergen.  For those who suffer from flea allergies, one single parasite can initiate a severe reaction and result with a dog or cat causing harm to their fur and skin.  The same is true for those who suffer from air borne allergies such as pollen, mold, grasses and dust.  Pets can also have adverse reactions to certain foods or dietary ingredients. 

With each of these different allergies the pets may present with varing degrees of irritation.  During the examination certain questions will be asked to help diagnose which allergen your pet may be responding too.  Be able to answer these following questions regarding your furry friend:

1.  What areas of the body seem to be most affected?

2.  How long have the symptoms been noticable?

3.  Have there been any environmental changes to the pets routine?

4.  What is the animal's diet like and have there been changes recently in that area?

Whether the allergen is to a parasite, air borne  or food related, it is our number one priority to make your pet comfortable and free from irritation.  Remember that allergies are not cured but rather managed. Symptomatic treatments may include antihistamines, antibiotics, fatty acids, corticosteroids, topical shapoos or creams, diet and or environmental changes.  Identifying the problem and controlling the issues can be a lengthy process, but with your help we can help your companions find the relief they are longing for and reduce their desire to scratch and lick.