Allergy Care Tips from Our Veterinarians in Austin
Many of the pet owners who rely on our veterinary services ask us about allergies. If your pet has reddened skin or irritated eyes/ears, an evaluation from our veterinarians in Austin can determine whether pet allergies are to blame. If your pet does suffer from allergies, here are five treatments that can prove highly effective.
1. Bathing and grooming - An animal's skin and hair can collect various allergens such as pollen, mold, dust and environmental pollutants. These allergens can cause reactions and a compulsion to scratch, which opens the skin to bacterial infections. Regular bathing, and the removal of matted clumps of hair, can help keep these accumulations off your pet's body.
2. Topical skin medications - Allergic reactions frequently manifest as skin rashes, with symptoms that include redness, swelling and itching. Even a food allergy can cause skin reactions. By prescribing topical medications that relieve the discomfort, we can discourage your pet from licking, scratching or biting his skin.
3. Eye and ear care - Your pet's eyes and ears can become irritated by the presence of allergens that cause red, watery eyes and/or recurring ear infections. You can use artificial tears to irrigate your pet's eyes. We can also prescribe an ear-cleaning product that you can use to irrigate the ear canals.
4. Flea prevention - Much of the scratching that you see in a flea-infested pet occurs because the pet is having an allergic skin reaction to the flea's bite. Maintain your pet's preventative flea medication to keep these pests at bay all year round.
5. Dietary changes - If your pet is sensitive to certain foods, an allergic reaction may result. A food elimination diet can help isolate the troublemaking ingredient, allowing us to recommend long-term dietary changes.
Pet Allergies? Come to Us
Bring your allergic pet to Dessau Veterinary Clinic. Our veterinary services can help him start enjoying a healthy, comfortable life once again!
Do you suspect that your pet has an allergy? What are his symptoms?