Pet Allergies and Dermatology
One of the more common reasons people bring their pets to Helena Veterinary Clinic is for skin conditions, often caused by allergies. Think your pet has allergies or is having an allergic reaction? Itching, scratching and hot spots are all signs of allergies and skin conditions. Pet allergies are very common and treatable, but if left untreated they can fester and become serious health concerns.
Dogs and cats typically experience three different types of allergies:
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Flea allergy: The bite of a flea on your dog or cat causes an intense allergic reaction resulting in itchy skin.
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Food allergy: Something in the diet of your dog or cat triggers a reaction such as itchy skin, diarrhea, or other gastrointestinal problems.
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Skin allergy: An allergen or outside substance that is inhaled or comes into contact with the skin cause extremely itchy skin that can lead to skin infections or other skin injuries from excessive scratching. Skin allergies are known at atopic dermatitis.
Dog and Cat Allergy Symptoms
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Itchy, red skin
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Hives
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Vomiting
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Diarrhea
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Ear Infections
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Noticeable increase in scratching
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Constant chewing or licking of paws
Common Causes of Pet Allergies Although some environmental allergens may be specific to certain regions of Helena, common pet irritants include:
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Tree Pollen
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Dust Mites
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Fleas
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Grasses
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Mold
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Cockroaches
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Cleaning Products
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Perfumes
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Household materials and fabrics
Pet Allergy & Itch Treatment Once the allergens have been identified we can develop a program to eliminate the source of the allergy in your pet’s environment.
Other options for itch relief include:
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antihistamines combined with essential fatty acids
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anti-itch conditioners
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topical steroid sprays
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oral steroids
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anti-itch prescriptionss
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oral or injectable immunotherapy
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option for a referral to a board certified veterinary dermatologist for evaluation
We will explain your pet’s condition, how to prevent future allergy occurrences and the proper method of home treatment for pet allergies.
