Treating Cat & Dog Allergies

Seasonal allergies are common in cats and dogs, and are liable to cause chronic health issues if they aren’t treated properly. Unlike human allergies, cat and dog allergies tend to cause severe itching of the skin, in addition to runny eyes, a runny nose, and the occasional sneeze. Skin disorders and ear infections can spawn from allergies, making your pet’s condition a little more challenging to diagnose and treat. At Lakeside Veterinary Center LLC, we have various tools and treatment options in our arsenal to help dogs and cats manage their symptoms and live more comfortably.

Getting Your Pet’s Allergies Under Control

Making cat and dog allergies manageable requires several steps.

Treating the Symptoms

One of the keys to making allergies more bearable for your pet is to reduce their itching as much as possible. By resolving the itch, your pet will no longer feel compelled to scratch, lick, and even chew at their skin, which can damage the skin barrier and open the door for all kinds of bacterial infections.
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To help with itching, we offer various oral and topical treatments. Our most effective options include Apoquel, an oral tablet, and Cytopoint, an injection that lasts for several weeks

Treating Secondary Infections

If your pet has a secondary infection resulting from their allergies, such as an ear infection or bacterial infection elsewhere on their skin, we’ll need to address it. Our hospital offers a variety of antibiotics for dogs and cats, along with other medications your pet might need in the course of their treatment.​

Managing the Allergy

There is no permanent cure for allergies, but there are ways to manage them enough to where your pet doesn’t have to experience such aggravating symptoms. Controlling the itch is vital to protecting their skin barrier and preventing secondary infections. For long-term itch control, we might refer your pet to a veterinary dermatologist for allergy testing and hyposensitization injections. Consistency is key, and we recommend staying in contact with us in case your pet has another flare-up.

What Causes Allergies

• Various types of pollen, including ragweed and cottonwood
• Mold spores
• Dust and dust mites
• Flea bites
• Synthetic fabrics and other materials
• Food dyes
• Food proteins including chicken, pork, and eggs
• Cleaning products
• Fertilizers and lawn treatments

Common Symptoms of Allergies

• Red, raw skin caused by scratching and licking at an itch
  
• Ears appear red and inflamed
  
• Hair loss on the belly, under the legs/arms, and between the toes
  
• Odd scaly patches of skin
  
• Odor from the skin and/or ears
  
• Discharge from the eyes (can cause staining on light-colored fur)
  
• Vomiting (can be a symptom of a food allergy)