Many pet owners may not realize that pets can have allergies, just like humans. These allergies can come from a variety of factors. When you notice that your pet is suffering from allergies, it’s best to take it to a veterinarian right away. At Central Virginia Veterinary Clinic in Louisa, VA, our veterinary team can diagnose your pet’s allergies and find a treatment plan.
What Are Common Pet Allergies?
Many pets can have allergies to certain types of food. Animals can be allergic to common ingredients in pet food. However, food isn’t the only thing that can cause pet allergies. Environmental factors, like dust mites, grass, pollen, or mold, can cause allergies in pets too. These types of allergies are often genetic and usually appear seasonally. Pets can also be allergic to flea bites, but this is less common.
What Are the Signs Your Pet Has an Allergy?
A lot of the same signs that you see in humans with allergies are visible in your pet. This can include dry and red eyes that your pet is trying to rub with its paw. In other cases, your pet may be dealing with a runny nose and fits of sneezing. Many allergies cause symptoms on your pet’s skin. These include itchiness, hives, swelling, red skin, vomiting, or diarrhea. Whatever the case, it’s important to monitor your pet and look for these symptoms. This is especially important if you move or change environments, as your pet could be introduced to new allergens.
How Do You Treat Pet Allergies?
It’s important to bring your pet in right away if it is suffering from allergies. Allergies can be very uncomfortable for animals and can even lead to other health complications. When you visit our veterinary team, we will do a full examination and may run some tests to determine the cause of your pet’s allergies. In many cases, we can combat your pet’s allergies with a chewable tablet or supplement to its diet. This will generally act in the same way that an allergy pill would work for humans. This will alleviate symptoms. We will also suggest that you avoid the allergens if possible.
If your pet is having a severe allergic reaction, it’s important to bring it to our clinic right away.
Schedule Your Pet’s Appointment
If you think your pet may be suffering from allergies, our team can help. At Central Virginia Veterinary Clinic in Louisa, VA, our team can diagnose your pet’s allergies and find a treatment plan for it. Our veterinarians are committed to helping your pet live a happy, healthy life. To learn more or to schedule an appointment, call us today.