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Managing Cat & Dog Allergies with Dermatology in Chadds Ford, PA

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Cat and dog allergies are different from ours in that they usually cause skin conditions in our pets. Itchy, irritated skin is a common symptom of cat and dog allergies, which can be uncomfortable for your best pal! Plus, after trying to relieve the itch themselves with obsessive scratching and biting at their skin, they can also cause skin infections, exacerbating the problem. At Old Ridge Veterinary Hospital, we have the diagnostic tools, treatment options, and the expertise to manage allergies and relieve the itch.

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How Do You Know If Your Cat or Dog Has Allergies?

Symptoms of cat and dog allergies can be tricky because they can also indicate other, more serious underlying conditions. This is why it’s important to bring your pet to the vet for further testing if you notice any of the following:

Itching, biting, and licking at the skin   •   Licking/chewing at paws   •   Skin that looks red and irritated   •   Hair loss, often under the belly, armpits, and around the face and neck   •   Frequent ear infections   •   Overgrooming (cats)   •   Vomiting/diarrhea (which may indicate food allergies)   •   Runny nose and eyes   •   Sneezing and/or coughing

How We Diagnose Pet Allergies

Blood work and skin scrapings are the primary diagnostic tests we run to determine whether your pet has allergies or another condition. If our initial tests come back clean, we can also send out a blood sample to an outside lab for allergy testing. This test may be able to tell us exactly what your pet is allergic to, which can help you limit your pet’s exposure to the allergen. It can also allow us to craft an allergy shot that works as an immunotherapy treatment to help reduce your pet’s sensitivity to the allergen.

Some of the most common allergens we find include:

Flower, grass, and tree pollens   •   Mold and mold spores   •   Dust and dust mites   •   Flea bites   •   Cleaning items   •   Perfumes/air fresheners   •   Certain fabrics (usually synthetic)

For food allergies, we cannot determine the exact allergen from a blood test. Instead, we’ll put your pet on an elimination diet that first removes all possible allergens, and then adds them back in, one at a time, until we discover which one your pet has a reaction to.

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Allergy Management Options

Allergy management options are varied, so we’ll work to find the right treatment or combination of treatments that benefit your pet. We offer daily allergy medications, immunotherapy treatment (allergy shots), topical creams and medicated shampoos, antihistamines, and more. If your pet also develops a secondary infection from all their scratching, we can prescribe antibiotics or antifungals to treat the infection. Your pet’s comfort and health are at the top of our priorities, so we’ll work with you directly to find the best treatment option for them!

We are proud to be your local Veterinarian offering premium pet care:

Chadds Ford

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Chatham

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