Pet Allergies
Is your pet scratching more than normal or getting frequent ear infections? It could be allergies! Let us help relieve the itch.
Pet Allergies in Winterville, NC 28590
Allergies are a common concern for many of our pets, especially dogs. Dogs and cats can be allergic to many of the same things we are, including seasonal allergies like pollens as well as household allergens like dust and dust mites. At Winterville Animal Care, we understand how frustrating cat and dog allergies can be for the whole family, so we work with you to develop a management plan that gives your pet lasting relief.
Allergy Causes & Symptoms
Common causes of cat and dog allergies include:
- Tree and flower pollen
- Grass
- Mold and mold spores
- Dust and dust mites
- Flea bites
- Certain materials
- Cleaning products
- Food ingredients
Many pet allergies will manifest as a skin condition and typically involve itchiness. Watch for these signs to recognize an allergy:
- Red, inflamed skin
- Scratching, licking, and chewing at skin excessively
- Hair loss
- Hot spots
- Frequent ear infections
- Vomiting/diarrhea (in the case of food allergies)
Diagnosing & Managing Allergies
Since many allergy symptoms can indicate other skin conditions, we’ll first run some diagnostic tests to rule out these other conditions. We can also send a blood sample to an outside lab to pinpoint the exact substance your pet is allergic to. While this test is not always 100% accurate, it can be used to create an allergy shot that will help decrease your pet’s sensitivity to the allergen over time.
Once we diagnose your pet with allergies, we can form a treatment plan with the following options:
- An injectable anti-itch medication (Cytopoint)
- A daily anti-itch pill (Apoquel)
- Topical medications
- Medicated shampoos
- Antihistamines
- Steroids
- Flea prevention (for flea allergy dermatitis)
- Hypoallergenic diet (for food allergies)