FOR HAPPIER, HEALTHIER PETS
Just like people, many pets suffer from allergies. Excessive licking or grooming, swelling and itchy skin, even difficulty breathing are all symptoms of pet allergies. At Porter Pet Hospital, our veterinarians will test your pet to determine the cause of the allergic reaction and decide on the best course of treatment.
We use different methods to establish the cause of your pet’s allergy. When a scratch test is done, small scrapes are made on your pet’s skin, and we introduce tiny amounts of what we think may be causing the reaction. If your pet shows a reaction to a particular substance, we know that he or she is allergic and treatment can be started right away.
Sometimes blood tests can be useful to tell if your pet is experiencing an allergy. Checking the levels of certain chemicals will let us know if your pet is likely allergic or if the cause of the scratching or sneezing is something else.
PET ALLERGY TREATMENTS
After we have the test results, we will work with you to develop the most effective course of treatment for your pet. Your veterinarian may prescribe medication such as steroids or antihistamines. We might set your pet up with regular allergy shots that desensitize the immune system over time.
To help your pet be more comfortable, we can recommend ways for you to help relieve the symptoms of allergies. He or she may need a special diet. Special shampoo, topical treatments, and medicines can alleviate skin itching and stop excess scratching. You can be sure that we will work with you and your pet to find the best solution.