How Do Bloomington Veterinarians Treat Pet Allergies?

Just like human allergies, pet allergies are on the rise in the U.S. Allergies can leave your dog, cat, or other pet miserable and itchy for a few weeks a year, or all the time. Treating allergies in pets is a multi-step process, but Dr. Tatro of Fairway Knolls Veterinary Hospital can help you through it.

What Kind of Allergy Does Your Pet Have?

True allergies usually cause skin reactions in dogs and cats. Food intolerances that cause gastrointestinal (GI) upset are also commonly referred to as allergies. Common causes of allergic reactions in dogs and cats include:

• Fleas
• Pollen
• Dust mites
• Chemicals
• Medications
• Certain foods

Can Your Pet Eat His Way to an Itch-Free Life?

Food allergies are just one kind of allergy, but they are often the easiest to treat. A special hypoallergenic diet provided by your vet can be used to test for food allergies in your pet. If he or she stops itching or having GI upset while eating it, they likely have a food allergy.

Does Your Allergic Pet Need Drugs?

Unfortunately, the allergy medicines that work well on humans don't usually work very well on dogs and cats. A short period of steroid treatment can help immediately. After this, management options vary. No other treatment may be necessary for a pet who gets itchy for three weeks a year when a plant blooms. Long-term medical management is used in cases where pets have more pervasive allergies.

If You Need to Know: Allergy Testing

Pin-prick allergy testing for dogs and cats is performed similarly to human testing, but general practitioners will commonly use serum testing methods. After the test antigen injections can also be given similar to human allergy testing. For relentlessly itchy pets, these results can be a way to provide major relief by knowing what to avoid. Allergy shots that desensitize your pet over a period of time are also sometimes used after testing.

Get Expert Veterinary Allergy Treatment at Fairway Knolls Veterinary Hospital

At Fairway Knolls Veterinary Hospital in Bloomington, IL, we treat the whole pet. Your dog or cat will be given the best of care by our experienced doctor. For itchy pets, allergy treatment is key to having a good quality of life, so call us today.