Just like people, your pets can have allergies too! At Southern Oregon Veterinary Specialty Center, we have the tools and skills necessary to identify and treat your pet. There are many different kinds of allergies that can affect your pet, including environmental, food, contact allergies, and flea allergy dermatitis (bites). So how do you know if your pet is suffering from allergies?
Environmental Allergies: This type of allergy is generally inhaled or contact and is usually seasonal and shows when exposure is most likely. This is the most common allergy type in pets and includes pollen, mold, and dust mites. Dust mite allergy is often more pronounced in the winter when pets are inside more often. Symptoms include:
- Chewing on feet
- Constant licking of the flank (side) and groin area
- Rubbing the face
- Inflamed ears/recurrent ear infections
- Recurrent hot spots in dogs and facial scabbing in cats
- Wheezing and respiratory problems (more likely in cats)
Food Allergies: Food allergies are less common, but can be more difficult to identify as they can show up concurrently with allergies to pollen, dust, etc. Symptoms include:
- Itching: especially face, feet, trunk, limbs and anal area
- Ear problems, often yeast-related
- Skin infections that respond to antibiotics, but then return after treatment ends
Contact Dermatitis: Another less common allergy, which includes allergies to carpets, cleaners, or plastic. Symptoms include:
- Red, itchy bumps or blisters on thin-haired areas and areas exposed to the allergen, such as the belly, feet, or muzzle
- Intense scratching
- Hair loss (in chronic conditions)
Through different tests, our team of experts can help to identify the source of your pet’s allergies and determine the most effective treatment for them. There are different ways we can treat your canine or feline companion, such as a blood test to check for antigen-induced antibodies or a patch skin test. If your pet is having chronic, uncomfortable skin issues that don’t seem to be responding to your current treatment, turn to SOVSC for a consultation today!