Just like us, pets are prone to various types of allergies. Some pets are allergic to specific foods. Others have seasonal allergies, making them vulnerable to cloudy or runny eyes. Detecting a pet’s allergy might be challenging, as the symptoms might be difficult to notice.
Thankfully, here at Stave Lake Veterinary Hospital serving Mission, BC, and Maple Ridge, BC, we diagnose and treat pet allergies. It might be important to seek treatment for your pet companion as allergies might be painful and frustrating.
What Are the Symptoms of Pet Allergies?
Pet allergy symptoms might vary depending on the type, environment, and severity. They may include:
- Hair loss
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Sneezing
- Runny, itchy nose
- Redness in the ears
- Gastrointestinal signs
- Frequent scratching, biting, chewing, and licking
- Red, irritated, or inflamed areas between the paws or toes
Some symptoms might be mistaken for other prevailing health conditions. Seek our services to help establish what is causing allergies in your pet.
What Are the Various Types?
There are a few main types of allergies that might affect your pet, which may include:
Fleas: A single bite from a flea might cause intense itching and irritation that sometimes last for days.
Food allergies: Adverse reactions to food can affect pets. Cats may be allergic to dairy, beef, fish, or chicken, while dogs might be allergic to dairy, lamb, wheat, soy, chicken, and eggs.
Contact allergies: This is when your pets react to common household items like soaps, detergents, plastic, carpet, leather, and shampoos. Contact allergies might cause significant discomfort to your pet.
Environmental allergies: They result from outdoor allergens like grass and pollen or indoor ones like mold and mites. Environmental allergies might be year-round or seasonal.
How Can a Veterinarian Diagnose and Treat Allergies in a Pet?
We can first diagnose your pet’s allergy. In some situations, we might require samples of blood or urine. We may also ask about your pet’s food and lifestyle. Once we establish the cause, we can make treatment plan. This treatment might include:
- Oral medications
- Nutritional supplements
- Dietary counseling
- Medicated shampoos and ointments
How Can I Best Address My Pet’s Allergies?
The best way to address your pet’s allergies is by scheduling an appointment with a veterinarian on our veterinary team. When you visit us, we can determine if your pet suffers from allergies and tailor a treatment plan to ease his symptoms. Plus, we can offer you tips on how to minimize contact with allergens and how to keep your home allergen-free.
Visit Us for More Information from a Veterinarian on Our Team
If you suspect any symptoms of allergies in your cat or puppy, visit us. At Stave Lake Veterinary Hospital serving Mission, BC, and Maple Ridge, BC, we can diagnose your pet’s condition and offer the right treatment. Call us at(604) 286-0160 to schedule an appointment.