Humans aren't the only ones that struggle with allergies. Whether it's seasonal allergies, allergies to food, or allergies to certain substances such as chemicals, your pet might suffer from one or all of these. At Fairway Knolls Veterinary Hospital in Bloomington, IL, our veterinarian diagnoses and treats pet allergies to keep your pet healthy and pain-free.
Signs of Pet Allergies
Just like humans, pets can display symptoms of allergies to food or other substances. These can include:
- Excessive licking
- Watery eyes
- Facial swelling
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Itchy ears
- Inflamed skin
- Hives
If you notice that these symptoms only arise after your dog or cat has been exposed to a particular food or chemical, this might be the easiest way to tell your pet is having an allergic reaction and needs immediate veterinary care.
Causes of Pet Allergies
Sometimes it's more difficult to tell that your pet is allergic to something, especially if it has been exposed to it several times before. Pets can develop allergies to foods, cleaning agents, soaps, and other grooming products, even if they've been exposed to them before. Although it's unclear why a pet develops allergies to a familiar substance, a veterinarian at our clinic can help diagnose the allergen and help prevent severe reactions from arising.
Treatment at Our Animal Hospital
If your pet is allergic to a certain food or grooming product, the best treatment will be to change its diet and grooming procedures. If your pet has environmental allergies, our veterinarian might also prescribe allergy relief medication to help relieve symptoms, such as congestion and itchiness. We also offer ointments, shampoos, and other topical treatments to alleviate allergy symptoms in pets.
Emergency Care
If your cat or dog has a severe allergic reaction, it can also go into anaphylactic shock. Although rare, it can occur in some cases, such as your pet being stung by a bee. Severe facial swelling, swelling of the throat, earflaps, lips, and eyelids can all indicate that your pet might be going into anaphylactic shock. In this case, our veterinarian can administer an antihistamine to help counteract the effects of an allergen.
Visit Our Veterinary Team in Bloomington, IL for Pet Allergy Treatment
If your pet is suffering from allergies, we can help. At Fairway Knolls Veterinary Hospital in Bloomington, IL, our veterinarian will diagnose your pet’s allergy and provide the proper treatment. We will also guide you on how to avoid allergens. Call us today to schedule an appointment.