Both people and pets can be affected by allergies. Pet allergies are caused by similar agents like the ones that affect people. Some of these allergic agents might include certain foods, grass, dander, smoke, mold, dust, or pollen. Fortunately, our team at Peace Arch Veterinary Hospital in Surrey is here to help your pet's allergies with effective allergy treatment.
Common Sources
Both animals and humans suffer from the same common kinds of allergies. Pollen and grasses flare up and die down at different times of the year, triggering allergic reactions. Irritating particles inhaled or eaten by the animal can cause a reaction. If your pet seems to have cold-like symptoms during the summer or fall months, they may have an allergy associated with a particular tree or flower in that season.
Food can be another cause of allergies. Not all cat and dog foods are necessarily right for your pet. Food allergic reactions will frequently make themselves evident through the skin and fur, causing itchy skin patches to develop.
Symptoms of An Allergy Problem
Dog and cat allergies can be very much a case-by-case situation. If a pet is suffering from an allergic reaction, his or her symptoms will likely be different from another pet suffering the same allergy. However, some common symptoms can be shared and spotted if you know what to watch for. These symptoms include:
- Dry, flaking skin and rough spots
- Lots of licking, biting, and chewing the lower body
- Excessive mucus from the nose or eyes
- Ear irritations and scratching
- Sneezing
- Excessively loud snoring
- Irritated paws
- Diarrhea
How We Treat Pet Allergies
The best way to treat pet allergies is by helping pet owners identify the trigger of their animals' allergies. Once a pet owner understands what causes their pet's allergic reaction, they can help their animal avoid the agent.
However, if your pet suffers from an allergic reaction caused by an agent which is difficult to avoid, our veterinarians may recommend immunotherapy. The treatment works by desensitizing your pets gradually from the allergen agent. After determining your pet allergens, our veterinarians will prepare a special injection and administer it either weekly or monthly. With time, your pets will start to build a tolerance to the allergen until it ceases to affect them. Although it can be a lengthy and costly process, we have found it to be effective for pets.
Contact Us for Allergy Treatments from Our Veterinarians in Surrey
There are many home remedies and over-the-counter solutions for pet allergies, but nothing is more beneficial to your pet than bringing him or her in for an exam. We can effectively understand your pet's allergies and help treat them properly. Our team at Peace Arch Veterinary Hospital provides quality care and effective treatments for pets suffering from allergies. Contact our team at (604) 536-3131 to learn more about how we can help you and your animal.
