Allergy And Skin Disease
Your pet’s skin indicates their overall health and well-being. When your pet’s skin displays irritation, a veterinarian must carefully study the pet’s symptoms in order to determine a cause. A pet could be bothered by fleas, ringworm, parasites, seasonal allergies, food allergies, skin infections, mange, grooming products, stress or boredom, hormonal problems and seasonal changes. A pet with allergy and skin disease may exhibit one or more of the following symptoms.
Allergy and Skin Disease Symptoms
- Scratched, licked or chewed skin.
- Scabs on the skin.
- Skin that is red or inflamed
- Hot spots where the skin is intensely scratched.
- Dry, flaky skin.
- Rashes on the skin.
- Lesions on the skin.
- Skin draining blood or pus.
- Discoloured skin, lumps and swelling.
- Rubbing skin against furniture or carpeting.
Sometimes serious conditions are masked by the same symptoms that indicate allergy and skin disease, so it is important for your veterinarian to discover the cause of your pet’s discomfort. Diagnostic tests can be useful including:skin biopsy, ringworm test, microscopic examination of hair and skin, allergy and blood tests.
Treatments
Once a diagnosis has been determined, the veterinarian can determine treatment. Treatments for allergies and skin conditions might include :
- Diet changes.
- Shampoos, dips or topical ointments.
- Dietary supplements.
- Medications including antibiotics, corticosteroids, and antihistamines.
- Injections.
Preventative Care to Avoid Skin Diseases and Allergies
Prevention is always the best policy with pets. There are many things you can do to avoid skin diseases and allergies.
- Follow your Veterinarian’s recommendations for food, shampoos, or dietary supplements.
- Follow your Veterinarian’s recommended parasite prevention programs.
- Keep your pet well groomed.
- Keep your home well vacuumed and yard well-trimmed.
- Exercise your pet regularly.
Call us with any questions you have about Skin Disease and Allergies and to schedule an appointment.