Allergy Care

Allergies can be some of the most challenging medical problems to treat in pets. Allergies are initiated by contact with small protein particles known as allergens. The body can be exposed to allergens by contact with the skin (contact allergies), inhalation with air (inhalation allergies), or ingestion with food (food allergies). Allergies are often the underlying cause for other disease processes such as skin infections, ear infections, and infections of the feet.

Common symptoms of allergies in pets include:

  • Itchy skin
  • Itchy ears
  • Hair loss
  • Licking of the paws
  • Chewing at the tail
  • Hot spots
  • Skin parasites (fleas and ticks)
  • Hormonal imbalances
  • Nutritional insufficiencies
  • Genetic abnormalities
  • Secondary bacterial and yeast infections often accompany allergies.

Treating Pet Allergies at Pet Medical Center

At Pet Medical Center of Edmond, Oklahoma, we take a systematic approach to diagnosing and treating allergy problems in pets. We start with a thorough history and veterinary physical exam. We will then proceed with special diagnostics as needed. These veterinary diagnostics may include testing skin scrapings, cytology, cultures, and testing sensitivity. If needed, your pet’s veterinarian can conduct allergy testing to determine which allergens trigger their allergies. From there, we may choose avoidance of the allergens with food changes or special cleaning procedures. We can also choose to have a special desensitizing serum made up by the allergy lab, which would desensitize the patient from the affecting allergens.

No matter the cause of the allergies or the treatment type we recommend, our main goals when addressing a pet’s allergies are providing relief and comfort to the patient and decreasing their symptoms.