Did you know that our pets can suffer from allergies just like us? Allergies are caused when the immune system reacts to something that should be generally harmless and results in uncomfortable or even life-threatening symptoms. For example, a pet's allergy to certain types of grasses can make them break out in irritating hives that they will want to scratch constantly.
Our team at Fairview Veterinary Animal Hospital understands how frustrating that can be for both you and your pet, and we are always here with the preventative care and response care to get and keep your pet at their best health. Let's take a look at what to know about pet allergies and getting them properly diagnosed:
Diagnosing Pet Allergies
At Fairview Veterinary Hospital, we diagnose and treat a number of pet medical issues for our clients in Independence, MO. If you suspect your pet is suffering from allergies, the first thing that we'll do is complete a medical history and physical exam. We'll ask you about any symptoms your pet is having and how long they have been experiencing them. Some common symptoms you might notice include:
- Irritating skin: Skin-related issues are among the most noticeable symptoms and may manifest as itching, biting, licking, scratching, or otherwise excessively rubbing their skin. Commonly,
- Breathing problems: Some seasonal allergies and airborne allergens like dust and pollen can trigger respiratory issues in pets just like they would in humans. These symptoms may manifest as coughing, sneezing, and wheezing.
- Gastrointestinal distress: Pets with food-borne allergens may experience breathing or skin symptoms like hives that cause itching, but they may also have gastrointestinal symptoms like vomiting or diarrhea.
Once we understand the symptoms, our veterinarian team can start working out whether your pet is dealing with seasonal allergies like increased pollen or if there's something very specific like a food ingredient that is eliciting their reactions. We can offer intradermal skin testing in which very tiny amounts of common allergens are safely injected into the pet's skin to see which ones elicit a reaction.
For food allergies, we might recommend either blood testing for moderate or severe allergic reactions or an elimination diet trial for milder cases. An elimination diet involves serving a pet a very specific protein and carbohydrate mixture to see whether their allergy symptoms desist or continue. If your pet's allergies subside, then we can rule that the previous food was the problem and create a robust nutrition plan that will best work for your pet.
Contact Fairview Veterinary Hospital in Independence, MO
From preventative care to treating large medical issues, our animal hospital does it all. Are you looking for a veterinarian near me? Give Fairview Veterinary Hospital a call today to schedule your pet's appointment.
