What Every Owner Should Know
Just like people, dogs and cats can develop allergies. Unlike people, however, they aren’t able to tell us what is wrong. For this reason, allergies can be difficult to diagnose and treat.
So what exactly are allergies? An allergy is the immune system’s overreaction to a normally benign substance. This substance is called an allergen and could range from inhaled pollens to dust and mold and even flea saliva. When the body reacts to an allergen you will most commonly see skin symptoms which can include: itchy and/or red skin, increased scratching, persistent licking and itchy/runny eyes. A pet may exhibit one or several of these symptoms depending on the type and severity of their allergy.
What should you do when you think your pet has allergies? If your pet is experiencing these symptoms, it is recommended to have them checked out and start a treatment plan. The first thing your veterinarian will do is take a history of your pet to learn more about their condition. Once they understand the details, they may order certain tests to rule out any other possible diagnosis such as ringworm or mange. The doctor could also order a trial of medications to treat the allergy symptoms, this could include antihistamines, shampoos or other topical treatments. In extreme cases, antibiotics and steroids could be prescribed. Pets with flea allergies will be given a topical flea treatment that may need to be repeated monthly.
Allergies to food are possible, however, they are less common and require a different approach in treatment. In the case of a food allergy, the doctor will suggest a strict diet consisting of a novel protein and grain that your pet should eat exclusively for at least six weeks to see if symptoms resolve.
No two animals are the same and treatments can vary greatly from one pet to the next. Your pet may not respond to the first treatment offered, but do not become discouraged. There are many options available to treat allergies and allergy symptoms, the most important thing you can do for your pet is never give up.
If your pet is chronically itchy and uncomfortable give us a call at 520-459-0433 to set up an appointment. Relief may just be a phone call away.
Recently a Sierra Vista resident wrote a letter to the Sierra Vista Herald concerning the newspaper's treatment of local businesses.
"I'm just wondering if the Herald has a vested interest in Sierra Animal Hospital. The last time I saw so much free advertising was when the Herald kept Michael Ray and the non-opening of his restaurant on the front pages.
By the way, my veterinary service is provided by the New Frontier Animal Medical Center. I've had access to Pet Portal for over a year. New Frontier has ahd animal pick up and delivery service for 20 years and its doctors do make house calls. New Frontier is the only veterinary service in town that is accredited by the American Animal Hospital Association."
We would like to thank our clients for their continued loyalty and support.
Pet Portals are secure, private pet health web sites that give you direct access to manage your pet�s health 24 hours a day.
With Pet Portals you can:
View pet information
Request appointments online
Receive important medical news and alerts
Post photos of your pets
Order prescription refills
Change contact and pet information
And so much more!
NFAMC is happy to provide Pet Portals free of charge to all clients with active email addresses. Simply provide us with your email address and we will send you a password. To get to your Pet Portal simply click on the �Pet Portal login� icon and enter your email address and password. Activate your free Pet Portal today!
Along with the many other modern in-house conveniences that we offer, we also feature digital radiography and ultrasound to help us pinpoint the source of your pet's problem. This state-of-the-art equipment allows for a more immediate and accurate diagnosis. Our commitment to providing advanced medicine means you can be sure that your pet is receiving the best care possible at New Frontier Animal Medical Center.
