Sep
21
Pet Allergies
Filed Under Hospitals | Comments Off
Jack Stevens asked:
Our pets are our “furry family.” But like our human family members, our pets can suffer from allergies. Contact allergens are, by far, the most common of pet allergies, but inhalant (or ingested) allergies can also affect our pets.
Inhalant allergies are generally allergic reactions to food and/or oral drugs. Most ingested allergens are derived from your pet’s food – but not from what you might think! The majority of a pet’s allergic reactions from food come not from the coloring or preservatives in the food, but rather from the meat, dairy, or grain products from which their food is comprised.
Inhalant allergens also include a reaction to medication given by mouth, as well as an episode precipitated by your pet “snacking” on a plant.
An allergic reaction to medication or plant ingestion will manifest much more quickly. Felines and canines share identical symptoms including an itchy rash, and possibly diarrhea and vomiting. Additionally, your cat may also have an excessively oily coat.
Fortunately, treatment for this type of allergy is relatively simple. If your pet has a reaction to a plant, just remove the plant from your pet’s “realm.” If it is an allergy to a medication, your veterinarian may suggest an antihistamine, in conjunction with the medication, until it is finished.
Often, food allergies are treated by implementing a bland, hypoallergenic diet for your pet. Many pet supply stores offer hypoallergenic foods, which usually consist of rice and boiled chicken or lamb. Using distilled water for your pet instead of tap water is also recommended, as the minerals and chemicals in tap water can also cause a reaction. Your pet’s symptoms should subside within a week. However, if your pet continues to scratch incessantly, you may want to consider a veterinary dermatologist for further testing.
NEAL
Our pets are our “furry family.” But like our human family members, our pets can suffer from allergies. Contact allergens are, by far, the most common of pet allergies, but inhalant (or ingested) allergies can also affect our pets.
Inhalant allergies are generally allergic reactions to food and/or oral drugs. Most ingested allergens are derived from your pet’s food – but not from what you might think! The majority of a pet’s allergic reactions from food come not from the coloring or preservatives in the food, but rather from the meat, dairy, or grain products from which their food is comprised.
Inhalant allergens also include a reaction to medication given by mouth, as well as an episode precipitated by your pet “snacking” on a plant.
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An allergic reaction to medication or plant ingestion will manifest much more quickly. Felines and canines share identical symptoms including an itchy rash, and possibly diarrhea and vomiting. Additionally, your cat may also have an excessively oily coat.
Fortunately, treatment for this type of allergy is relatively simple. If your pet has a reaction to a plant, just remove the plant from your pet’s “realm.” If it is an allergy to a medication, your veterinarian may suggest an antihistamine, in conjunction with the medication, until it is finished.
Often, food allergies are treated by implementing a bland, hypoallergenic diet for your pet. Many pet supply stores offer hypoallergenic foods, which usually consist of rice and boiled chicken or lamb. Using distilled water for your pet instead of tap water is also recommended, as the minerals and chemicals in tap water can also cause a reaction. Your pet’s symptoms should subside within a week. However, if your pet continues to scratch incessantly, you may want to consider a veterinary dermatologist for further testing.
NEAL