Finding Solutions to Cat and Dog Allergies in Pittsburgh, PA

Many pet owners dread the fall season, due to the allergies in dogs and cats that become aggravated this time of year. Of course, allergies can happen any time of year, but we often see the greatest number of allergy cases in the fall. Does your pet become unnaturally itchy and scratchy when the days start growing shorter and the leaves start changing? They’re not alone! Many dogs and cats suffer from allergies, which cause severe itching of the skin. It’s important to seek medical attention for your itchy pet, because their condition will likely get worse.

How Can I Tell if My Pet is Itching?

Our canine and feline friends can be quite sneaky about their symptoms, and may not readily reveal their discomfort. If you don’t catch your pet scratching and licking themselves in a frenzy, you might be able to look for other signs, such as:

• Baldness, especially between the toes, under the armpits, and on the sides and belly (but baldness can occur anywhere your pet is scratching and licking the most)
• Areas of skin that appear raw and red (evidence of scratching and licking repeatedly)
• Noticeable, unpleasant odor coming from the skin and/or ears
• Red, swollen ears (could indicate an ear infection)
• Dry, scaly patches on the skin

What Kinds of Things are Dogs and Cats Allergic To?

The allergens that tend to affect our pets most include:

• Tree pollen
• Grass
• Mold
• Dust mites
• Flea saliva
• Proteins such as chicken, eggs, and pork
• Synthetic fabrics
• Cleaning sprays
• Lawn treatments

Can My Pet’s Allergies be Cured?

Cat and dog allergies are not permanently curable. However, this doesn’t mean your pet can’t live

more comfortably and experience fewer, less intense allergy symptoms. With the correct diagnosis

and the right treatment plan, we can make your pet’s allergies more manageable overall.

Diagnosing the Allergy

To make a proper diagnosis, we’ll need to see your pet for an examination and potentially run some

tests to get as much information as we can about their condition. This might include blood testing,

skin testing, or possibly referring your pet to a dermatologist for more specialized testing.

Treatment Options

At Always Compassionate Veterinary Care, we offer the following treatment options for cat and dog

allergies:

• Cytopoint - An anti-itch injection
• Apoquel - An oral anti-itch medication available in tablet and topical form
• Sublingual immunotherapy - Involves dispensing drops made from allergenic extracts under the tongue (rather than injecting them into the body) to diagnose and treat allergies in pets
• Steroids - To help reduce inflammation and itching
• Temaril-P - An combination antihistamine and corticosteroid medication for itching
• Hypoallergenic foods and treats - If your pet has an allergy to one or more ingredients in their current food, they could benefit from one of our specialized diets