How To Tell Your Pet Has Allergies
How To Tell Your Pet Has Allergies: It’s not just humans who get itchy eyes and a runny nose when exposed to allergens. Our pets are just as susceptible to various allergies. However, your pet’s response to allergies will often look different to our own.
Allergies are a reaction to foreign substances in the body’s immune system. Normally, the immune system protects our pets against infection and disease, however, with allergies this immune reaction can be harmful. Much Like humans, these reactions can range from being itchy and irritation to severe, and fatal if left untreated. As allergies in pets are so common, there is a good chance that your pet may be suffering from some form of allergy.
While our furry friends can’t tell us how they are feeling, we can monitor and keep an eye out for triggers and symptoms that tell us that they are not feeling well.
How To Tell Your Pet Has Allergies
Symptoms Of Pet Allergies
If you’ve noticed your pet is overly itchy, sensing often or has hives, your pet may be suffering from an allergy. However, the question is what is triggering it! Diagnosing allergies is where things can get difficult. From dust and pollen to grass or flea bites, your pet can have a reaction to nearly anything!
Unfortunately, any breed can suffer from allergies and much like humans, some are more susceptible to allergies than others. Studies have shown that terriers, setters retrievers and flat-faced breeds are more vulnerable to allergies than others.
Symptoms can be either localised (in one area) or generalised (all over). In some rare cases, allergic reactions can involve the respiratory system with coughing, sneezing and wheezing. You may also notice that your pet has runny discharge from their nose and eyes as well.
Some Symptoms To Look Out For Include:
- Scratching
- Biting
- Inflamed and Infected Skin
- Paw Licking
- Excessive Shedding
- Scooting or Licking the Tail Region
- Chronic Ear Infections
- Respiratory Issues
- Face Rubbing
- Runny Nose
How To Tell Your Pet Has Allergies
Common Allergies
Although there is a myriad of allergies your pets can develop or suffer from, it is important to look out for some common allergy symptoms that may be affecting your companion. Not all allergies are visible, so it helps to remember potential causes and triggers.
How To Tell Your Pet Has Allergies
Skin Allergies
The most common type of allergy found in pets is skin allergies (allergic dermatitis) and have 3 main causes.
- Flea Allergy Dermatitis
- Food Allergies
- Environmental Allergies
Some pets are allergic to flea saliva and make the affected pets extremely itchy and inflamed, often at the base of their tail. Their skin will be red, inflamed and scabbed.
Food allergies and sensitivities can cause itchy skin that presents itself in their ears and paws. This is allergy is also accompanied by gastrointestinal issues.
Environmental allergens such as dust, pollen and grass can cause atopic dermatitis. In most cases these allergies are seasonal, so you may only notice symptoms at certain times of the year. Much like food allergies, affected areas include their paws and ears, as well as their underarms, eyes and in between their toes.
All skin allergies are at risk of infection. As your pet scratches and bites in an attempt to ease their discomfort they risk opening their skin to bacterial infections that require additional treatment.
How To Tell Your Pet Has Allergies
Food Allergies
True food allergies in dog and cats are not as common as most people think. Reactions range from skin conditions (hives, itchiness, swelling) to gastrointestinal symptoms (vomiting and diarrhea). In some cases, a severe reaction may result in anaphylaxis, much like a peanut allergy in humans.
Minor food allergies or food sensitivities do not involve an immune response but are a reaction to an ingredient in your pet’s food. Dogs with food sensitivities can suffer from several symptoms such as vomiting, itchiness, poor coat and ear and foot infections.
The best way to diagnose a food allergy is to work with a veterinarian to manage your pet’s symptoms and discover the ingredient causing the reaction.
How To Tell Your Pet Has Allergies
Diagnosing and Treating Allergies
How to tell your pet has allergies? Diagnosing allergies can often be a long and complicated process of elimination diets, skin tests and allergy testing. As with any medical related issue, it is recommended you contact your veterinarian. Early diagnoses and treatment increases the likelihood of success and save you time, stress and money while avoiding additional reactions.
While we may think we know the cause of our companion’s discomfort, it is important to let a trained professional evaluate and determine the cause.
Depending on the type of allergy, the best and easiest way to treat a pet with an allergy is to avoid the cause and allergen altogether. In addition to various lifestyle changes, your vet may prescribe medication to treat symptoms or secondary infections that may have developed.
How To Tell Your Pet Has Allergies
If you are concerned that your pet has allergies, it is important to contact a veterinarian to identify exactly what your pet is allergic to.
Our vets can come out for a House Call visit or we have clinics in Sunnybank and Kenmore.
Whether it is fleas, food or flowers, The House Call Vet have a team of professionals dedicated to providing the best care for your suffering pets.
We consult from 7 am to midnight 7 days a week so that we can always be there for you and your pet, no matter what level of care they need.
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