Managing Cat & Dog Allergies and Skin Conditions
Allergies are a very strong focus at our animal hospital. Dr. Leppanen has extensive experience and a record of successes diagnosing and treating cats and dogs with skin conditions. He takes a unique approach that involves diagnostics and work with an outside lab to determine exactly what your pet is allergic to. From there, we’re able to develop more customized treatment plans, including immunotherapy injections for some allergies, that help to reduce your pet’s sensitivity to the allergen over time. At Pennsylvania Veterinary Care, we want to help relieve the itch so your pet can be comfortable in their own skin again!
Pet Allergy Causes & Symptoms
The substances that cause pet allergies are similar to those that affect us and may include:
- Pollen from trees and flowers
- Grass
- Mold and mold spores
- Dust and dust mites
- Flea bites
- Certain materials
- Cleaning products
- Food ingredients*
*True food allergies are actually quite rare in cats and dogs. Usually, reactions to food ingredients are a food sensitivity rather than an allergy. Still, we treat food sensitivities with the same seriousness as allergies!
If your pet experiences any of the following, it might be allergies:
- Scratching, licking, and chewing at skin excessively
- Skin that looks red and raw
- Increased dandruff
- Hair loss
- Hot spots
- Frequent ear infections
- Vomiting/diarrhea (in the case of food allergies)
