Pet Allergy Care at Paws & Claws Pet Medical Center

Your pet may be more like you than you ever realized - right down to the seasonal attacks of hay fever! If your pet is exhibiting the respiratory, digestive, or skin problems commonly associated with allergic reactions, then he may need some extra help from the caring team at Paws & Claws Pet Medical Center. Our veterinarians in Troutdale can help your pet get back on track toward an allergy-free lifestyle.

Common Allergy Causes and Allergic Reactions in Pets

Why do allergies even occur at all? An allergy can be thought of as an "error in judgment" by the body's immune system. This system normally produces histamine and antibodies to attack invading disease threats -- but sometimes it mistakes innocent substances as germs to be stamped out. The resulting reaction can produce a number of allergy symptoms. Common causes of allergies in pets include:

• Pests - Fleas and ticks draw blood from animals by biting them. The saliva in the bites can cause an allergic reaction that causes reddened, raised, itchy areas on the bitten skin. To make matters worse, you pet may scratch or bite at the welts until they become infected.
• Environmental irritants - The same seasonal molds and pollens that may set off your own allergies can also cause allergies in your pet. Telltale signs include a runny nose, watery eyes, sneezing and coughing. Industrial pollutants, tobacco smoke, and other airborne irritants can cause similar symptoms at any time of year.
• Food - Food allergies may cause skin reactions, vomiting, diarrhea, and flatulence; they can even make your pet more prone to non-allergic skin infections and inflammations. A specific protein source is often the culprit.

Testing for Allergies at Our Troutdale Vet Clinic

Bring your allergic pet to our Troutdale vet clinic for a thorough evaluation. We can rule out other possible causes of his symptoms and zero in the specific allergens we need to defeat. Skin testing and blood testing can both be used to discover your pet's allergy triggers. We can find dietary allergens by eliminating one protein and one carbohydrate from your pet's food at a time, switching them out with new alternatives until your pet's symptoms improve. If your pet suffers from environmental allergies, antihistamines, specialized shampoos, steroids, or nutritional supplements, these can prove helpful.

Get the Answers to Your Pet's Allergy Problem at our Troutdale Veterinarian

Your pet no doubt hates his allergies as much as you hate yours, so give him the relief he needs at Paws & Claws Pet Medical Center. Call 503-661-1833 today so you can get the answers to your pet's allergy problem!