Chewing, licking, rubbing against things…
Your dog is trying relentlessly to scratch that itch, but it is just not working.
Your pet may be experiencing allergies, and they are NOT fun for anyone.
As a pet owner, you just want to find your beloved pet some relief, but you find yourself feeling frustrated. Discovering the underlying cause of allergies is not always a direct route, and you truly hate to see your dog suffer in the meantime. Where do you start?
Is it food related?
While we cannot rule out food related allergies without testing, true food allergies are actually rare! The clinical signs you are seeing are more likely caused by environmental allergens such as pollen, dust mites, etc. When the seasons change, your dog’s symptoms may increase or decrease depending on whether their allergen is active at that time. So before you throw out that bag of dog food, call us!
What medication options are there?
At Temple Heights Animal Hospital, we’ll work with you for as long as it takes to find the best solution for your pet. Two of the options we carry for allergies in dogs are Apoquel and Cytopoint. These are targeted medications that safely and effectively treat allergy symptoms in dogs. Apoquel is a tablet that is given daily, while Cytopoint is an injection that is given every four to six weeks.
In addition to these systemic medications, we highly recommend topical treatments! The skin is the first natural defense against allergens and secondary infections, so of course it makes sense to strengthen and protect it. This is where medicated shampoos, wipes, and mousses come in handy. By strengthening the skin barrier, we’ll reduce clinical signs of those pesky allergies.
Is there a cure?
Well, we hate to break it to you, but… no. Just as in humans, management is the only way to approach true allergies. Even with consistent treatment, your pet may experience flare ups. This is why it is so important to establish a great relationship with your veterinarian and keep them clued in to your pet’s needs. Together, we can come up with a plan for making sure your pet is always comfortable!
Is there an itch your pet cannot scratch? Give us a call today to get your pet on a customized program and on the way to relief!