Pet Allergies and Pet Allergy Treatment from a Veterinarian Near You in Los Angeles, CA

Many pets suffer from allergies like humans, but they cannot tell us directly about their discomfort. Instead, we must monitor our pets for discomfort and other symptoms. The good news is, when we find signs of allergies, we can provide relief by having your pet’s tested and treated by a veterinarian.

We at The Melrose Vet team are here to help deal with pet allergies among Los Angeles, CA, area pets. We will work with you and your pet to identify your pet's allergies and the treatments that provide relief.

Observing Your Pet

Spending time with our pets each day allows us to get to know them and their behavior, allowing us to spot when things go awry. This includes when they start showing symptoms of allergies, which often reveal themselves as skin irritations. Becoming familiar with pet dermatology can be helpful. Pet skin allergies cause them to scratch and lick the irritated areas excessively. Other symptoms that suggest the need for testing include eye redness, hair loss, sneezing, and diarrhea.

Diagnosing Pet Allergies

Veterinarians diagnose pet allergies by listening to your observations, physically examining your pet, assessing its symptoms, and considering its history. If the symptoms suggest potential allergies, the veterinarian will perform an intradermal skin test to introduce small quantities of common allergens such as fleas, ticks, dander, and pollen to your pet's skin. Monitoring the skin's reactions and potentially performing blood tests help to identify most allergies. On the other hand, food allergies are more challenging to diagnose because pets often need restricted diets for extended periods to identify changes.

Pet Allergy Treatment

Your veterinarian will discuss treatment options with you based on the test results. Eliminating exposure to specific allergens can be difficult, so their treatment focuses on symptom relief. Other times, revising home cleaning practices can reduce their exposure to environmental allergens. Often, a combination of prevention and treatment is needed. For example, treating a flea allergy could require flea preventives while administering antihistamines or corticosteroids to relieve symptoms.

Finally, your pet may need combinations of oral medications, injections, and hypoallergenic shampoos to eliminate allergens and soothe the skin.

Get Pet Allergy Treatment and Pet Dermatology Care

We develop our pet allergy treatment plans by talking with you, examining the pet, and conducting careful testing. If you live in the Los Angeles, CA, area and need a veterinarian near you, call us today at The Melrose Vet. Call us at (323) 310-5555 for pet allergy treatment and dermatology care from a veterinarian near you for pet skin allergies and pet food allergies.