How to Address a Skin Allergy in Your Pet: Regretfully, allergies may affect animals just as they do people. Finding the precise cause of your pet’s discomfort may take some time, but once the allergen has been identified, treating the ailment or avoiding the allergen is typically simple, and your pet may return to normal very quickly. Continue reading to learn more about identifying and managing your pet’s allergy.
Watch Out for Scratching
Naturally, scratching is the most common way to determine whether your pet has an allergy. Your pet may start gnawing on its feet, rubbing its face on the carpet, or even biting the tip of its tail because it cannot reach its rear. The most irritating place is usually around the pelvis. Still, because most animals can’t easily get to this location, they might express their distress in ways other than by scratching the sore area.
Allergy-Related Issues
While frequent self-scratching in pets is common, it is essential to diagnose an allergy when the scratching exceeds what you would expect. In addition to frequent signs of an allergic response, irritated, red, or bumpy skin may result from compulsive scratching, which can lead to fur loss. Paw chewing, runny eyes, and sneezing are possible additional symptoms. Your pet may exhibit behavioural problems, including barking, crying, or overall agitation, if they are experiencing chronic itching. Examine your pet’s skin thoroughly, paying close attention to the ears, paws, tail, and lips. If you have any suspicions that something is off, you’ll likely see signs of an allergic reaction.
When You Suspect an Allergy
If you suspect your pet has an allergy, call your veterinarian. Once you describe the symptoms and show your veterinarian any affected areas, your veterinarian will examine the problem and determine whether it is due to an airborne allergen like pollen, a food allergy, a medication allergy, or a contact allergy (from something your pet is physically exposed to).
Finding the Cause
Finding the exact cause of your pet’s ailment may sometimes take time, both for you and your veterinarian. Some common allergies can be tested with a blood test, but until the cause is identified, it’s usually necessary to remove specific items from your pet’s environment. This might include adjusting your pet’s diet temporarily, switching their food bowls, or giving them a new shampoo.
Treating Animal Allergies
The kind of allergy your pet has will determine the best course of action. Your veterinarian may recommend a brief course of antihistamines in the spring and summer to treat seasonal allergies, such as pollen. You can treat or inject your pet for flea or mite allergies to make them more comfortable, but for most other reactions, you can only lessen or stop your pet from coming into contact with the allergen.
Contact the Port Kennedy Veterinary Hospital staff at 08 6555 5149 to discuss a possible allergy with one of our veterinarians, or visit our contact page for more ways to get in touch.
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