Dr. Lucas Kandefer talks about allergies and pets. He says there are three really common allergies that they look at most often. What they are looking at is for allergies is to see a if it is food allergy, environmental allergy or parasitic allergy. Fleas is the most common allergy they see. Flea medication for even indoor pets can be very important. Beyond that, things your vet looks at are environmental allergens. In dogs and cats, their allergens express through their skin. Cats and dogs itch. They itch very bad when they have really severe allergies. So, commonly your vet will ask you if this seems to happen certain times of the year or does it happen all year round. If it’s certain times of the year they are going to likely focus on different allergens that might be in the environment at that time and help you work through things that can make that a little better and easier on your pet. Dr. Kandefer says the third common thing they look at is dietary sensitivities. These are really common as well. It’s become a common belief that grains play a part of what is causing this issue. There is very little science behind this. It is very uncommon to see dogs and cats affected by grains. What you’re looking at most often is the protein source in the food causing these problems, so the beef and chicken are the most common in dog and cat food.
It is possible to test your pet for allergies. Just like for people when they put that little stamp in your arm, they can see what sensitivities your pet has. It really helps target what treatments might be appropriate for your pet and what to avoid. There are a lot of things vets do without that knowledge but having that knowledge can really help benefit what they need to do to make your pet a whole lot better. There are a number of treatments options out there for pets who have really severe allergies. So, if you any an itchy, scratchy pet talk to your vet. They can often find you an answer that will help.
Click here to go to the Niagara Frontier Veterinary Society's website.
