Many dogs and cats suffer from allergies. Our pets can be allergic to food, substances in their environment, chemicals in cleaning and grooming products, certain types of plants, pollen, dust, and even flea bites. Food allergies may cause digestive issues in your pet. Environmental and flea allergies may cause eye irritation or irritation on your pet’s skin. Regardless of the type of allergy your pet has, our veterinarian in Lakeville and Middleborough can help. At Lakeville Animal Hospital, we’ll diagnose your pet’s condition, pinpoint the allergen causing his symptoms, and recommend appropriate treatment.
Signs of Pet Allergies
Here are some signs to watch out for to indicate your furry friend may be suffering from an allergic reaction:
- Extreme itchiness and scratching
- Rash or skin irritation
- Dry, scaly skin
- Lesions on your pet’s skin
- Skin infections
- Eye irritation
- Digestive issues like abnormal vomiting or diarrhea
If your pet has any of these symptoms, give our veterinarian in Lakeville and the Middleborough area a call. The sooner we can diagnose your pet’s condition, the sooner he can get relief.
Pet Allergy Diagnosis and Treatment
The first step to helping your pet is diagnosing his condition. Our veterinarian can perform blood and skin tests to pinpoint what’s triggering your pet’s allergy symptoms. If the allergen is an ingredient in your pet’s food, changing his diet can help eliminate his symptoms. You may also need to change your pet’s grooming products or your cleaning products if chemicals from these goods are causing allergic reactions in your pet. We can also provide you with topical creams and oral medications to minimize reactions to outdoor allergens like plants, pollen, etc.
Tips for Avoiding Allergic Reactions in Pets
The following tips can be helpful in reducing your pet’s allergic reactions to outdoor elements so he can continue to enjoy his outdoor time:
- If the pollen count is high, restrict your pet’s outdoor time.
- After spending time outdoors, wash off pollen and allergens from your pet’s face, paws, and fur to reduce the risk of allergic reactions. This can help reduce skin irritation, eye irritation, itching, and scratching.
- Change your pet’s walking paths or play areas to avoid plants and trees that trigger allergic reactions.
- Bathe your pup regularly and keep his fur brushed and groomed. This will reduce the risk of flea infestations that can lead to skin rash and infections.
- Schedule routine pet exams so your vet can detect skin problems early on and give your pet the help he needs.
Our Veterinarian in Lakeville and Middleborough Handles Pet Allergies
From routine pet exams to pet allergy treatment, contact Lakeville Animal Hospital, serving Lakeville and the Middleborough area, at (508) 947-1309 for all your pet care needs.