When you love your pet, it's tough to see him suffering from allergies. At Dessau Veterinary Clinic, in Austin, TX, we offer pet allergy treatment from a veterinarian near you so your pet can feel better fast.
What Are Pet Allergies?
A pet allergy occurs when your pet's immune system overreacts to a specific substance, which is known as an allergen. The immune system is designed to protect your pet from bacteria, viruses, and other harmful organisms. However, when it comes to allergies, the immune system's over reaction is harmful to your pet.
Types of Allergies
There are a few ways to classify allergens. One common method that is simple to understand is to classify them by the way they come into the body. Some allergens include food, inhaled, and skin allergies.
Food Allergies
Food allergies are one of the most common types that affect pets, particularly cats and dogs. Common food allergies for dogs include beef, chicken, lamb, eggs, dairy products, and soy.
Your pet may experience both skin allergy symptoms and gastrointestinal issues if he has a food allergy. Skin allergy symptoms including itching, rash, and skin infections. Gastrointestinal, or stomach symptoms, include diarrhea, vomiting, and loss of appetite.
Environmental Allergies
Environmental allergies can trigger respiratory or nasal symptoms, including coughing, wheezing, and runny nose as well as skin allergy symptoms. Environmental allergens can include grass, pollen, trees, and dust mites. Some allergens, like grass and pollen, are seasonal. This means they will only affect your pet at certain times of the year.
Insect Allergies
Flea allergy is a common type of insect allergy in pets. If your pet has a flea allergy, he will have an exaggerated response to flea bites. Your pet may develop itching, rash, and even skin infections due to flea bites.
Treatment for Pet Allergies
Pet allergy treatment varies based on the allergen, your pet's reaction, and your preferences. Food allergies are often treated by avoiding the allergen. Other types of allergies may be treated with corticosteroids, antihistamines, allergy shots, and special creams or shampoos.
Get Pet Dermatology Care and Pet Allergy Treatment from a Veterinarian Near You at Our Animal Hospital
If you are looking for a veterinarian near you in Austin, TX, contact us at Dessau Veterinary Clinic. Our animal hospital provides pet dermatology care for skin allergies and treatment for nasal and respiratory allergies. Call us at (512) 339-3177.