Identifying Allergies in Pets
Pets can experience seasonal allergies just like humans. They can also develop food sensitivities to things like wheat, chicken, soy, dairy, corn, or beef. Signs of an allergy can manifest in a variety of ways, and knowing how to identify them can help you understand what might be bothering your pet. Identifying an allergy can be tricky, but with a close eye and guidance by our 24-hour emergency pet care clinic, you can better understand your pet's health. Keep reading to learn more about identifying allergies in pets and what to do if your pet experiences allergy symptoms.
Environmental allergies are common and typically seasonal. Symptoms typically associated with environmental allergies include watery eyes, itchy skin, sneezing, coughing, wheezing, and chewing at their paws or coat. More serious allergies may cause facial swelling, hives, vomiting, diarrhea, irregular breathing, or heart palpitations. If your pet is visibly uncomfortable, they may be triggered by something in their environment. Environmental allergies can be things like pollen or dust, pet dander, plants, grass, or other animals in the home. Bee stings can also cause some extreme allergy symptoms that may be life-threatening. Atopic dermatitis is a common symptom connected to environmental factors. This dry itchy skin can be seriously uncomfortable for your pet and it can even put them at risk for infection. Frequent scratching could cause your pet to accidentally injure themselves and create an open wound. This wound can quickly develop bacteria and cause a much greater problem. If you notice your pet is uncomfortable or frequently rubbing or scratching themselves, call our 24-hour emergency pet care clinic to schedule a check-up.
Food allergies are less common in pets but it is possible that your pet can develop a food sensitivity as they get older. Food sensitivities typically cause an upset stomach, vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, and excessive drooling. These sensitivities are less severe but can still be highly unpleasant for your pet. Food sensitivities are different from animal poisoning, which can be deadly. If you have questions about pet poisoning, contact our 24 hour emergency pet care clinic immediately. Pets are typically sensitive to things like dairy, beef, chicken, eggs, soy, or things that may not be in their typical diet. All pets are different, so monitoring and care from our 24-hour emergency pet care clinic would be necessary to properly diagnose a food sensitivity. The first step to understanding what food might be bothering your pet would be to follow an elimination diet where you stick to strictly dog or cat food and avoid any extra treats. This type of diet would take weeks to complete because you need to slowly add food items back into their diet to see if it causes a reaction. Talk to our team before making any changes to your pet's diet. Any major changes could cause discomfort and GI issues for your pet, so guidance from our veterinarian would be necessary to keep your pet comfortable throughout their treatment or diagnosis.
Learn more about identifying allergies in pets by scheduling a visit with our team. It is so important that your pet receives the proper nutrition in order to live their healthiest life. Call our 24-hour emergency pet care clinic for any further questions about your pet's health.