Managing Pet Allergies in Melrose, MA
Pet allergies are a leading cause of skin disorders in pets. Instead of the respiratory symptoms that allergies cause in people, pets with allergies tend to develop itchy skin and ear infections. For relief, they scratch themselves raw, which too often leads to secondary infections. With our pet dermatology services, we aim to both treat the skin condition as well as manage the allergy.
What Causes Pet Allergies?
Like us, pets can develop an allergy at any point in their lives. Typically, it’s a reaction to allergens with which we’re familiar including environmental and food allergies. Commonly, pets develop allergies to:
- Pollens
- Mold
- Dust or dust mites
- Dander
- Feathers
- Certain Fabrics
- Certain medications
- Cleaning solutions
- Perfumes
- Fleas
- Food ingredients (beef, pork, eggs, dairy, etc.)
Signs Your Pet May Have an Allergy
Your pet may have an allergy if you notice any of these symptoms:
- Excessive scratching
- Red, irritated, dry skin
- Hair loss
- Hot spots (inflamed patches on the skin)
- Obsessive licking
- Chewing at their paws
- Frequent ear infections
“I’m one of those very fortunate people in life who looks forward to coming to work each day because I actually get to do something I love. Whether it’s simply giving wellness exams and getting to play with an adorable puppy or kitten, performing a challenging surgery or helping return a sick pet to health. I’m lucky to have the opportunity to make a difference and enjoy that daily sense of fulfillment.” –Dr. Silverman
Treatments and Management
Pet allergies and their associated skin conditions often require a two-way treatment plan. We’ll treat the skin condition and any secondary infections as well as develop a plan to manage the allergies. Some of the treatments we use include:
- Antibiotics to treat infections
- Parasite preventatives to treat flea dermatitis
- Medicated shampoos and topical creams
- Cortisone
- Antihistamines
- Elimination diet for food allergies
- Apoquel (an oral tablet)
- Cytopoint (an injectable therapy)
Finding the right treatment or combination of treatments for your pet may take a few trial and error runs. Our goal is to provide lasting relief to your pet, and we won’t stop until we have the best solution for them. Call us today or make an appointment online to find relief for your pet’s allergies.
