Treating Cat and Dog Allergies with Dermatology in Yorkville, IL
A fur coat can hide a variety of skin conditions and pesky parasites that cause unbearable itching and irritation. Many pets will develop some type of allergy during their lifetime, and often, this will have a detrimental effect on their overall health and comfort. Since incessant scratching, chewing and licking of the skin and extremities can be a prime indicator of allergies in your pet, we highly recommend a physical exam and diagnostics to investigate the problem and find a workable treatment. Other symptoms of an allergy may include sneezing, and nasal and ocular discharge. If you see your pet scratching on a regular basis, let us know so we can prevent your pet from developing an infection. Yorkville Animal Hospital offers effective pet dermatology services to treat skin conditions at the source and allow your companion to live a happier, healthier life. Call us today at (630) 882-6060 to schedule and appointment.
Our Pet Dermatology Services
From diagnosis to treatment, our veterinary team in Yorkville has the resources to manage your pet’s allergy symptoms and keep them comfortable for the long term.
Diagnostics
- Allergy testing (blood work)
- Skin scraping
- Fungal culture
- Skin cytology
- Biopsy
- Food elimination trials
Treatments
- Anti-itch medications (oral and injectable)
- Antibiotics to treat infection
- Topicals (ointment, sprays, wipes)
- Hypoallergenic shampoos
- Hypoallergenic diet/diet change
Types of Cat and Dog Allergies
Like people, our pets can be allergic to various things in their environment—even their diet! Certain ingredients in pet food, such as chicken, beef, corn and even dyes, can cause your pet to become allergic. Along with ingredients in food, pets can have allergic reactions to dust mites, mold, pollen, and even grass! Flea bites can also cause allergic reactions in animals. Allergic dermatitis is one of the most common skin conditions we see in pets, and while there is no permanent cure, symptoms can be managed effectively with consistent treatment and careful monitoring.
The key to reducing the severity of your pet’s skin condition is catching it in its early stages. Constant licking and scratching can damage the skin barrier and lead to infection, which exacerbates itching and perpetuates the cycle. Call our animal hospital at (630) 882-6060 if your pet is exhibiting discomfort due to possible allergies; their comfort and wellbeing mean the world to us.