Reliable Care for Animal Allergies in Vancouver
Allergic reactions occur when your pet has an abnormal immune response to an otherwise harmless stimulus. At Market Hill Animal Hospital, we offer allergy testing and treatment to help relieve your pet's symptoms and improve their quality of life. We are passionate about empowering you to support your pet's health and happiness by being a reliable source of knowledge and care.
Whether it's fleas, pollen, or other triggers, our team is proud to help the four-legged companions in our community. With our compassionate care and years of expertise, you can expect us to become a trusted partner in caring for your dog or cat. Look no further for a veterinarian who can help with animal allergies in Vancouver and call our office to schedule an appointment today!
CALL US: (604) 569-1993 REQUEST APPOINTMENT
Signs That Your Pet Has Allergies
Different allergy triggers can cause different symptoms, but there are many signs that overlap. Allergies are common in cats and dogs of all breeds and backgrounds. Typically, symptoms of animal allergies show up when your pet is 1-3 years old, usually after they have already been exposed to the trigger.
The most common allergy symptoms are skin-related, such as itching and inflammation, hives, and possible swelling of the face. Some pets may also experience watery eyes, nose, and sneezing. Gastrointestinal signs, such as vomiting and diarrhea, can also be indicative of an allergy reaction. In rare cases, your pet can experience anaphylactic shock, a potentially life-threatening condition that can cause your pet's blood pressure to drop quickly.
What Causes Animal Allergies?
Understanding what triggers your pet's allergies is essential to helping your pet live a healthier life. Allergies can be caused by various factors, and a new allergy can show up even if there was no reaction before. While managing your pet's symptoms is important, determining the root cause of a reaction can help you better understand the triggers and how to help your furry friend. Some common allergy triggers include:
- Environmental allergens: Common environmental factors, such as pollen, dust mites, mold spores, grasses, and other plants that are otherwise nontoxic to pets, can trigger allergic reactions. These allergies can be year-round or seasonal. Itching and constant paw licking or biting (due to direct contact with the allergen) can indicate an environmental allergy.
- Food sensitivities: Pets can develop allergies to a certain food over time, even if they have had no previous issues with that food or protein. Food allergies can cause itchiness, flaky skin, or chronic ear infections.
- Fleas: Some cats and dogs may have an allergic reaction to flea saliva. Even one flea biting your pet can cause a full-body or systemic reaction, including intense itching. Flea allergies are the most common allergy trigger for cats.
- Infrequently encountered allergens: Cleaning products, bee stings, spider bites, medications, and vaccines can cause allergic reactions in your pet, potentially resulting in severe skin irritation or swelling.
Diagnosis and Treatment
Diagnosing allergies isn't always straightforward, but by identifying your pet's triggers, we can work towards finding relief from their symptoms. We are passionate about problem-solving and can often use allergy testing methods and treatment together. Our veterinarian will rule out other conditions that could potentially be causing your pet's symptoms and help treat any secondary infections from excessive scratching or biting. We will also gladly walk you through your options for care and treatment and work together to find the best plan of action. Some methods of treatment we use include:
- Oral medication, such as antihistamines and other medications, is a relatively simple treatment that helps reduce symptoms like itching due to environmental allergies. These products don't treat the underlying cause but can be a good option to be used as needed, including for seasonal allergies.
- Allergy shots help many pets find relief from environmental allergies, especially when they are not responsive to oral medication. These shots work by retraining your pet's immune system to not react to environmental allergens, resulting in a significant reduction in symptoms and flare-ups.
- Flea prevention is the best line of defense against flea allergies. Topical or oral flea medication is usually sufficient to help eliminate fleas and, thus, your pet's symptoms.
- Dietary changes are the primary way of dealing with food allergies, such as using an elimination diet to determine the source. By knowing what food causes your pet's allergies, you will have a better understanding of what food and treats you can regularly provide. We may also recommend a hypoallergenic diet, which focuses on a single protein source that your pet can tolerate.
Vancouver Allergy Testing and Treatment for Your Pets
It's possible for your pet to find relief from their allergy symptoms. At Market Hill Animal Hospital, we understand how difficult it can be to see your pet struggle with allergies and are committed to providing the quality care they deserve. Our dedicated team understands that your pet is more than just an animal; they're your best four-legged friend. We have extensive experience helping you manage and treat animal allergies in Vancouver. Learn more about how we can improve your pet's quality of life and help them thrive by scheduling an appointment with us today!
CALL US: (604) 569-1993 REQUEST APPOINTMENT
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