Animal Skin and Allergy Clinic | Pet Allergies Need To Be Treated, Too!

You wouldn’t suffer all allergy season without taking some medication or visiting your doctor for relief, and you pets shouldn’t have to, either! If your critter is one of the unlucky who are affected, there is help out there. The Animal Skin and Allergy Clinic has the information and tools to help you recognize pet allergies. There are compelling reasons why you shouldn’t wait to treat.

Knowing Pet Allergies When You See Them

Most people understand allergy symptoms in humans–cue the runny noses, sinus pressure, and itchy eyes. Pet allergies can appear a little differently, though.

While many different problems can lead to similar symptoms, there are a few that are highly likely to be allergy related. Your pet may be suffering from allergies if they:

• Lick their paws or rear
• Chew their legs or feet
• Have redness–especially on the legs or underbelly
• Are shaking or scratching the ears
• Rub the face repeatedly
• Seem itchier than normal
• Are scooting
• Have red or irritated eyes
• Have a rash or other skin lesions
• Have respiratory symptoms (less common)

While pets can have allergies to things like fleas as well as dietary allergies, they more commonly have environmental allergies to things like pollens, dust, and weeds. 

Reasons Not to Wait for Help

It is easy to just write off mild symptoms of pet allergies, but not addressing the problem can be a real risk. Our staff recommends treating these symptoms no matter how mild, and for good reason. 

You should not wait to treat pet allergies because:

• They are uncomfortable and bothersome for your pet
• If not addressed, mild allergic reactions can intensify and worsen over time
• Secondary yeast or bacterial infections of the skin can occur
• Painful ear infections can also ensue as a result of untreated allergies
• Anal sacs may become impacted or infected
• Ongoing inflammation of the skin, eyes, and respiratory tract can lead to additional problems

How to Help Your Pet

If you think that your pet is suffering from allergies, it is best not to wait to take action. Keeping your four-legged family member on high quality flea prevention is a good start. We can’t control all allergens, but fleas are one that we can conquer!

At-home treatments like shampoos, paw soaks, antihistamines and fish oil supplements (with the blessing of your vet) can help with milder cases of pet allergies. You can also do your part by vacuuming often, dusting, using HEPA filters in your home, and washing pet bedding and other soft surfaces frequently, followed by a hot dryer.  

If your pet has more intense or recurring signs of allergies, it is best to contact us for an appointment so that we can get started diagnosing the problem. Understanding what is causing the pet allergy symptoms can be essential in helping the patient be as comfortable as possible. 

Pet allergies can be miserable, and your pet shouldn’t have to suffer in silence. Thankfully Animal Skin and Allergy Clinic is here to help you navigate this common but often complicated problem. Don’t wait to ask for help, your pet is counting on you.