By: Dalton Carter DVM
Allergies are a very common occurrence in our dogs and cats and can be a huge problem that many pet owners face. Here at Dogwood Veterinary Clinic, your Louisville Animal Hospital, we completely understand the frustration and discomfort that allergies can cause for pets as well as their owners. Let’s talk about the most common types of allergies, what to look out for, and how we can treat these symptoms to keep your pet happy, healthy, and itch-free!
An allergy can be defined as an overreaction or hypersensitivity of the immune system to a substance known as an allergen. When the body comes into contact with a specific allergen whether through inhalation, ingestion or contact, our immune systems kick into overdrive to defend the body resulting in inflammation and other symptoms like itchiness. The three most common types of allergies include food allergies, flea allergies, and environmental allergies.
FOOD ALLERGIES
A food allergy can occur when your pet has an adverse reaction to a specific ingredient within their diet which can cause itchiness along the mouth, ears, paws, or abdomen or even gastrointestinal upset such as vomiting or diarrhea. The most common food allergies in both dogs and cats include proteins such as chicken, beef, eggs, or even fish. Diagnosing a food allergy, however, can be difficult and often requires an elimination trial or utilization of a hydrolyzed diet for several months. If you think that your pet may have symptoms associated with a food allergy, please reach out to us to schedule a consultation where we can provide you with various dietary options and work together to create a diet plan for your pet to rule out specific allergens!
FLEA ALLERGIES
Flea allergies occur when an animal has a reaction to a flea’s saliva after being bitten. If you think that your pet may possess a flea allergy or fleas, the next best step is to examine your dog or cat. Fleas love to hide along the lower back near the tail base because this is the harder place for an animal to reach and chew. Part the fur to examine the skin for live fleas and also flea-associated debris which can look like small black specks along the skin. The best way to prevent and/or treat a flea allergy is to utilize a monthly, prescription flea and tick prevention year-round. Don’t forget about heartworm and intestinal parasite prevention too!
ENVIRONMENTAL ALLERGIES
Environmental allergies can be tricky. This type of allergy is commonly associated with pollens, molds, or dust, but can be secondary to a numerous amount of allergens within our environment. Symptoms such as itching, licking paws, or shaking/scratching ears can all occur secondary to an environmental allergen coming into contact with the skin. A continuous cycle then begins as the itching causes further skin irritation and allows for continued exposure of the allergen. Additionally, this type of allergy is oftentimes seasonal and flares of symptoms are seen commonly within the spring and fall months, but not this is not always the case! If you have observed your pet possessing any of these symptoms that may indicate the presence of environmental allergies, please reach out to us and we will discuss options of treatment and prevention for your pet moving forward to help break this itch cycle!
Dogwood is an animal hospital in Louisville, KY. We are here to be the best vet in Louisville and to serve those in the Louisville, Prospect, Oldham County, Crestwood and Goshen communities! We recognize that allergies can be challenging for pets as well as their owners, but we are here to help! Please reach out to us at (502) 710 – 0170 if you have any questions regarding allergies, or to schedule a consultation so we can collaborate and create a plan that best fits you and your pet to provide them with a happy, itch-free life!