Helping to Treat Allergies in Dogs and Cats in Avondale, GA
An occasional sneeze or scratch is usually not cause to be concerned about your pet, but if they’re doing these things all the time, they could have an allergy! The only way to know for sure is to contact your vet. At The Village Vets Avondale Estates, we know a thing or two about treating allergies and skin disorders in dogs and cats. Our vets and staff will work with you to make a definitive diagnosis and formulate an appropriate treatment for your pet, so they can get the relief they need from itchy skin, runny eyes, and other unpleasant symptoms.
Pet Allergy Red Flags: What are the Warning Signs?
Skin irritation (dermatitis) can often be a telltale sign of allergies in your pet, but to ensure their treatment is successful, we need to be certain. Figuring out what’s ailing your pet requires a physical exam to start, and may be followed up with in-house lab testing and sending out samples to external labs for more rigorous testing.
Still, it’s important that you know the warning signs so you can bring your pet in to see us before their symptoms get out of control. Keep an eye out for:
- Red, raw skin that feels warm to the touch
- Dry, flaky patches of skin
- Dandruff in your pet’s coat
- Hair loss/bald patches
- Chewing and licking excessive at the paws and other areas of the body
- Runny eyes and nose
- Unpleasant skin and ear odor
What Makes Dogs and Cats Allergic in Avondale Estates?
Our four-legged family members can be sensitive to many of the things that make us humans allergic. Common pet allergens include:
- Grasses
- Pollens
- Mold spores
- Dust mites/dust
- Synthetic materials like plastic and rubber
- Food proteins, like beef, pork, and eggs
Another potential allergen comes from flea saliva. Yes, some pets can have an allergic reaction if a flea bites them! It’s a good reminder to keep your pet up-to-date with their flea protection.
Identifying the Culprit
How do we figure out which allergen is irritating your pet? Blood allergy tests can help us get answers, but they aren’t as helpful if we suspect a food allergy. In the case of a food allergy, the only way to be sure of which ingredient is causing problems is to conduct a food trial. This involves removing certain ingredients from your pet’s daily diet and limiting what they can eat for several months. At the end of the trial, your pet’s original food is reintroduced. If they have an allergic reaction only after going back to their original food, then we can isolate the cause and prescribe a proper diet.
Allergy and Dermatology Treatments We Can Provide for Your Pet
The Village Vets Avondale Estates offers a variety of treatments to help relieve allergy symptoms, heal secondary skin infections, and get your pet back to living a comfortable, healthy life. Finding the right combination of treatment options can take time, but our goal is to find what works best for you and your pet, and support you at every step.
Options we offer at our hospital include:
- Antibiotics
- Antihistamines
- Hypoallergenic food and treats
- Medicated shampoos and topical ointments
- Apoquel (oral anti-itch medication)
- Cytopoint (immune therapy injection)
Get relief for your itchy pet by calling us today at (404) 924-8690!