What Causes Pet Allergies?

Just like people, pets can have allergies too.  Often, pet allergies are environmental or seasonal.  This means that various spores and pollens, prevalent at different times throughout the year can cause your pet to have allergies.  Environmental factors within the home, like fragrant cleansers, dust mites, or smoke can also cause pet allergies.  Further, some allergies are caused by different foods or treats that your pet might eat. Our staff at Kindness Family Pet Clinic can diagnose and treat pet allergies.

What Are the Symptoms?

Depending on the type of allergy the symptoms may appear differently in dogs and cats.  Usually, environmental or seasonal allergies take the form of skin irritation.  Owners may notice their cat or dog repeatedly biting, chewing, or scratching at one area of the body.  This might be on the paws, legs, or behind the ears.  The skin may appear red or raw, and in extreme cases might even be scabbed or bloodied from excessive scratching.  If your pet shows signs of an open irritation; veterinary attention is necessary.  Open wounds on the body can be a dangerous site for bacteria to enter the blood, causing an infection.  Allergies can also take the form of coughing, wheezing, or sneezing.  Your pet's eyes may appear watery or his nose runny.  Food allergies often appear as intestinal distress, and your pet may have diarrhea or vomiting.  

How Can a Veterinarian Help?

A veterinarian will be able to help diagnose pet allergies.  Our veterinarian in Forest Grove will first take a small sample of your pet's skin to examine under a microscope in order to rule out the possibility of a bacterial infection or parasites.  From there, we will work with you to come up with a treatment plan for your pet's allergies.  There are many allergy medications taken orally that can help reduce the signs and symptoms of allergies.  Many of these can be taken just once or twice daily to show real improvement in your cat or dog.  For pets that suffer from seasonal allergies, allergy medication may only be necessary during the time periods when allergies flare up, typically in the spring and fall.  

Schedule an Appointment Today!

At Kindness Family Pet Clinic, we understand that the vet's office can be a scary place for your cat or dog.  That is why we are proud to offer a fear-free facility.  Our veterinarians understand how to keep your pet at ease throughout the entire appointment with our fear-free approach.  If you suspect your cat or dog has allergies or would like to see one of our veterinarians for a routine wellness check, give us a call at 503-359-9548.  We are a comprehensive veterinarian in Forest Grove and are always accepting new patients.