If you have ever had a pet suffering from skin issues and allergic reactions, you know that dogs and cats can be just as miserable as people who have allergies. At Animal Hospital of Onslow County, allergic responses are some of the more common conditions that we see on a regular basis. Instead of typical human reactions, however, companion pets are more likely to display their hypersensitivity through itching, scratching, biting, licking, hair loss, scabs, or dandruff.
Classic triggers of allergy symptoms include food, flea saliva, dust, mites, plant and grass pollens, molds and fungi. Once your pet’s allergies are activated, inflammation and irritation of the skin, and possibly the development of a secondary skin infection makes the irritation even worse. To understand what is causing an allergic reaction in your pet, our experienced doctors may perform allergy tests, skin scrapes, biopsies, or bacterial and fungal cultures similar to those used for humans to determine the cause of the allergies. They will then consult with you to develop a treatment protocol for your pet.
Veterinary medicine has come a long way in alleviating the discomfort of skin ailments through medicated shampoos, topical solutions, and prescription oral medications. There are also new oral allergy medications for dogs that are extremely safe and effective for both short and long-term use.
Whatever skin ailment your pet may be afflicted with, don’t just ignore the symptoms and think that the problem will go away on its own. The skin is the largest organ of the body, and chronic skin disease can truly affect your pet’s quality of life more than anything else he may suffer.
Our compassionate veterinarians offer treatment to pets living in Jacksonville, Midway Park, and Hubert, North Carolina that are plagued with allergic conditions. If you feel your pet may be afflicted with allergies, schedule an appointment for an evaluation today.