Many animals are allergic to many of the same things that people can be allergic to. Our veterinarian frequently sees animals who are allergic to their food or other things in their environment. At Colorado Valley Veterinary Services, we have provided residents of Columbus, TX with pet allergy treatment services for many years.
Food Allergies
Few people realize that animals can be allergic to the products in their pet food. Many store-brands of pet food contain ingredients such as soy and wheat that would rarely be a part of an animal's diet in the wild. This means that their immune systems have not adjusted to digesting these foods, leading to issues such as lethargy, digestive problems, and other symptoms. Our veterinarian can evaluate your pet and recommend a diet that will test for these types of allergies. Your pet will be placed on different types of food for several weeks and watched for symptoms. An improvement in symptoms usually indicates that there is a food allergy. Fortunately, this is usually a simple problem to fix, as the pet is just placed on a different type of food.
Environmental Allergies
Just as people have a histamine response to environmental factors such as pollen and mold, dogs and cats can too. If you have noticed that your dog or cat is frequently itchy, give our office a call. It's possible to conduct a few simple allergy tests (they are very similar to the pinprick tests that humans go through in an allergist's office) to determine if your dog or cat is allergic to the things in his or her environment.
If your pet has environmental or seasonal allergies, it's possible to give them pills to help them with their symptoms. In some cases, our vet may recommend using specialty shampoos or ear wash to combat dermatological symptoms. Larger animals may be given medications such as Benadryl to combat the symptoms of allergies. Of course, your vet will also discuss the importance of other preventative measures, such as limiting outdoor time during certain times of the day when pollen is at its worst.
Schedule an Appointment with Our Veterinarian in Columbus, TX
If you suspect that your pet is suffering from allergies, give Colorado Valley Vet a call. We can help you get an appointment to check out your furry friend. Call us at (979) 732-9981 for more information or to schedule an appointment with our veterinarian.