Pet Allergy Information from Your Mobile Veterinarian in Kalamazoo

Like humans, pets can suffer from a range of allergies! While the symptoms are different – humans usually experience itchy, watery eyes, sneezing, and runny noses and pets usually present with skin and ear problems – they’re equally bothersome. And besides the annoying symptoms, allergies can also be detrimental to your pet’s overall health. In this post, your mobile veterinarian in Kalamazoo will look at some of the signs that your pet has allergies as well as treatment options.

In general, pet allergies come from typical allergens like dust, dander, pollen, fleas, and foods. These allergies can go undiagnosed for years, but also can be discovered in puppies and kittens, depending on the severity and symptoms. Typical symptoms can include scratching, licking, or chewing of ears, face, paws and other areas, discolored or irritated skin, head shaking, ear or skin infections, hair loss, strange odor, and like humans – sneezing and watery eyes. If left untreated, hot spots can occur which leave your pet miserable and also open to infection.

There are several diagnostics veterinarians may use to determine whether or not your pet has allergies and what the cause may be, including skin cytology, skin allergy tests, cultures, and blood tests. If your pet has allergies, there are many different treatment options depending on the type of allergy and the severity. There can include oral antihistamines, fatty acids, topical treatments, strict diets, or allergy shots.

Besides the treatments listed above, you can make your pet feel better by making sure you are treating them for fleas all year, bathing your pet per your vet’s recommendations, providing your pet with omega-3 fatty acids per your vet’s approval, and vacuuming your home and cleaning bedding in order to get rid of allergen triggers.