Is your dog excessively scratching or licking an area on its body? Your dog may be dealing with allergies. Allergies occur when your dog’s immune system reacts to a substance in its environment, releasing histamines to counteract what the immune system deems a threat. This reaction can cause several uncomfortable symptoms in your dog. Fortunately, Connolly Animal Clinic in Florence, AL, provides dog allergy treatment to keep your pet healthy and happy. Continue reading to learn about dog allergies and how our veterinarian near you can treat them.
Common Causes of Allergies
Similarly to humans, dogs can also experience seasonal allergies to substances like pollen, grass, and mold. Another common allergen for dogs is flea bites. While the fleas do not cause an allergic reaction, the saliva left behind from their bite does. Specific ingredients in food, such as beef, wheat, dairy, and chicken, can cause allergies in dogs. Some dogs also experience allergic reactions to household cleaners and perfumes.
Signs of Allergies in Dogs
Dogs can display several symptoms when dealing with allergies. These symptoms often correlate to the specific kind of allergen affecting your dog. For example, your dog may vomit or have diarrhea when reacting to a food ingredient it is allergic to. Some of the most common allergy symptoms in dogs include:
• Itchy skin in one area or all over
• Reddish skin or hot spots
• Respiratory symptoms, such as sneezing or watery eyes
• Fatigue
• Changes in mood or appetite
• Recurrent ear infections
How You Can Help Your Dog
The first step toward easing your dog’s allergy symptoms is identifying the allergen causing them. Our animal clinic offers dog dermatology services to help determine the exact cause of your dog’s symptoms. Most dogs experience skin symptoms with allergies, so our vet can use a skin test to isolate the allergen causing its symptoms. Once our vet knows what is affecting your dog, they may recommend the following at-home treatments to ease your dog’s symptoms:
• Dusting and vacuuming for environmental allergens
• Switching to another food for food allergies
• Bathing with flea shampoo for flea allergies
If home remedies do not bring your dog enough relief, our veterinarian can provide dog allergy treatment. We may recommend dietary modifications to eliminate your dog’s exposure to food allergens. Immunotherapy helps build your dog’s immunity to specific triggers over time. We can also prescribe antihistamines to alleviate symptoms.
Contact Connolly Animal Clinic for Dog Allergy Treatment Today
If your dog is dealing with allergy symptoms and needs treatment from a “veterinarian near you,” look no further than Connolly Animal Clinic in Florence, AL. Our veterinarian can test your dog to determine its specific allergen and provide effective treatment to ease symptoms. We also offer cat allergy treatment and cat dermatology services for your feline friends. Call us and schedule an appointment today at (256) 757-5376 to help your pet feel its best again.
