Services

Allergy Management

in Addison, Texas

Pet allergies can be a source of discomfort and distress for your beloved furry companion. Dr. Josh and our compassionate team at Isla Veterinary Boutique Hospital are dedicated to offering comprehensive allergy management services to help your snuggle buddy enjoy a healthier, happier, and more fulfilling life!

What Are Pet Allergies?

An allergy occurs when your pet's immune system is hypersensitive to particular substances known as allergens. These may include foods, plants, pollen, mold, parasites, or environmental factors. Repeated exposure to specific allergens can sensitize your fluffy family member’s immune system, causing it to overreact in subsequent exposures. Allergies can have a significant impact on your pet's health and well-being.

The DFW area has one of the highest rates of environmental allergies in the nation, which not only affects humans but can also affect your furry friend. While it is impossible to control the environment, managing allergies can help keep your fur baby comfortable year-round.

What Are the Most Common Symptoms of Pet Allergies?

Signs and symptoms of allergies in dogs and cats can vary in their severity, depending on the type of allergies and your pet's individual response. The most common warning signs may include the following:

Red, raw, inflamed skin
Itching, licking, scratching, and/or chewing
Sores
Skin infections
Dandruff
Small raised bumps on the skin
Missing patches of fur
Sneezing
Runny eyes
Difficulty breathing
Vomiting
Diarrhea

Even though these symptoms may not always indicate allergies, it's essential to have your furry companion evaluated to rule out any underlying concerns.

Managing Pet Allergies

Managing allergies in cats and dogs requires a proactive approach. It involves immediate intervention to deal with current allergies and a long-term management plan to prevent future allergic reactions. This is especially important if your loyal companion suffers from chronic allergies.

Your pet's care at Isla Veterinary Boutique Hospital is an exclusive, fully tailored experience that can vary based on your cat or dog's needs. In general, the following is a look at what you may expect:

Supplements: Dietary supplements can be beneficial for pets with allergies. Fatty acid supplementation, for example, can help reduce inflammation and itching. Dr. Josh will recommend the ideal supplements for your furry companion.

Medications: Your four-legged family member may require medication to keep allergies under control. These may include antihistamines, anti-inflammatory drugs, or allergy shots. Dr. Josh will recommend the ideal treatment protocols based on your pet’s unique needs.

Environmental Management: Just like in human allergy management, reducing allergens in your pet's environment can be highly effective in providing the needed relief. Regular cleaning, using air purifiers, and minimizing exposure to allergens like pollen and dust mites can make a significant difference to your pet’s health.

Parasite Control: It is important to keep your pet free from parasites like fleas or ticks to prevent allergies and other serious diseases they can transmit. Dr. Josh is happy to recommend the best and safest parasite prevention measures for your fur-ever friend.

Bathing: Bathing with hypoallergenic shampoos can help remove allergens from their fur. We are happy to recommend the best products and ideal bathing schedules for your pet's specific needs.

Allergy Testing: We offer serum allergy testing, which is a blood test for environmental allergies. Identifying the underlying causes of allergies can help us provide tailored treatments to address your pet’s unique need.

Nutritional Therapy: We offer food allergy trials to diagnose food allergies. We are happy to recommend high-quality, prescription diets that do not contain common pet allergens to support your furry friend’s health.