Allergy FAQs
Similar to humans, pets can also suffer from allergies, from environmental to food allergens. An allergy is when the immune responses in the body attacks an unharmful foreign substance, thus triggering allergy symptoms. Below are a few of the frequently asked questions that can help you learn more about pet allergies, how to treat them, how to prevent them, and when to consider taking your animal to a West Palm Beach vet like All Care Animal Clinic.
What Are Common Allergens For Dogs And Cats?
It is important to point out that not all dogs or cats have allergies. Those that do, though, suffer from similar allergies like humans, such as:
- Different types of food, such as eggs, corn, soy, milk, wheat, beef, and chicken
- Environmental or seasonal allergies, including pollen, mold, dust, and grass
- Contact allergies, such as plants, plastics, fabrics, creams, lotions, medications, and gardening supplies
Dogs and cats can also have a reaction to flea or insect bites and saliva, causing extreme itchiness.
What Are The Symptoms Of Pet Allergies?
Depending on the type of allergy, your pet’s symptoms will vary. For instance, dogs or cats suffering from food allergies may experience gastrointestinal symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea. Flea allergens can cause severe itchiness or red or inflamed skin. Reactions to dust, pollen, mold, or any other environmental allergies can trigger sneezing, runny nose, swelling in the face, hives, and itchiness.
How Can Owners Prevent Pet Allergies?
The best way to prevent pet allergies is to learn the cause and limit, if not eliminate, the exposure to those allergens. It may require trial and error to identify specific allergens. If symptoms become severe, take your pet to the vet right away to find out if something other than allergies is to blame.
How A Veterinarian Help With My Pet’s Allergies?
Before we can recommend the best treatment for your pet’s allergies, we will need to conduct a few tests, including:
- Blood testing
- Biopsy
- Cultures samples
- Skin scraping
- Food trials
Once we have determined the source of the allergy, we may suggest medications to help with environmental allergies and flea bites, a change in diet for food allergens, and lifestyle changes.
We Can Help Relieve Your Pet’s Allergy Symptoms
If you have a question regarding pet allergies, give All Care Animal Clinic in West Palm Beach a call at (561) 688-1154 today. We are here to answer your questions and help you relieve your pet’s allergy symptoms, no matter how mild or severe they may be.