Pets Can Have Allergies, Too
In Hollister Free Lance, veteranarian Dr. Quick reports that allergies in pets are often misdiagnosed by sales people in pet stores who try to increase pet food sales by suggesting that pets have dietary allergies. In fact, only about two to three percent of pets experience dietary allergies - and the symptoms are constant and year-round. However, about 15 percent of pets have environmental or seasonal allergies.
Pets rarely sneeze and cough; their allergy symptoms usually appear as skin problems. Dr. Quick writes, "When I am told that a dog is constantly chewing at their feet, often to the point of damaging the skin, the allergy flag begins to wave. Another frequent sign of allergies is redness and inflammation of the ear flaps, especially without an ear infection. In cats more generalized skin problems often occur. Cats are more prone to developing multiple small scabs around the neck, face and rump."
Dr. Quick also says (in a statement that certainly applies to humans as well): "You must realize that we are talking control, not cure." And the way to control allergies, in humans as well as pets, is to avoid allergens. Learn more about allergen avoidance in our Allergy Relief Learning center.
Pets rarely sneeze and cough; their allergy symptoms usually appear as skin problems. Dr. Quick writes, "When I am told that a dog is constantly chewing at their feet, often to the point of damaging the skin, the allergy flag begins to wave. Another frequent sign of allergies is redness and inflammation of the ear flaps, especially without an ear infection. In cats more generalized skin problems often occur. Cats are more prone to developing multiple small scabs around the neck, face and rump."
Dr. Quick also says (in a statement that certainly applies to humans as well): "You must realize that we are talking control, not cure." And the way to control allergies, in humans as well as pets, is to avoid allergens. Learn more about allergen avoidance in our Allergy Relief Learning center.
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On 12/7/2006 SPARKL1010 wrote:
My cat gets a shot at the Vet about every 6 or 7 weeks for her allergies. I know when it is time to take her there because she begins to lick a spot on her belly until the hair is gone and it looks red. She does not go outside, but she does sit on our screened-in porch. The Vet tells me that is enough for her allergies to kick up. I wonder if there is any natural remedy for her or even something to sooth her itch. I've tried a few itch remedies, but she always licks them off. I worry about her frequent shots of steriods. Any suggestions?
On 4/8/2007 cathi wrote:
MY cat for the past 9 months has been having a puratic type of out breaks. she will pull all the hair from her belly ,wrist, and the back of her legs. A steroid shot does the trick. But it seems like she needs one more frequentley. Can steroids cause blindness?
On 7/22/2007 booger_has_allergies? wrote:
my cat is 9 months old and has a small,very slight fat lip.he also acts like he's gonna puke at least once a day.i dont know if he has allergies or not.read all the details at http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20070722145513AAx4T4Z&r=w
On 12/7/2007 brooksbrittany007 wrote:
my cat just got fixed and got two of his shots. now he acts as if he's having an allergic reaction? he is chomping like he is parched and has cotton mouth. his nose is running. he acts sleepy or nonsocial until i pick him up or play with him. he has never chomped this way before. could this be an allergy or a reaction to the shot? i know when he got fixed they fixed up a wound on his side, could he be sick from licking the cleaned wound? i need help fast...i dont have the money to ask these questions elsewhere.
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On 12/7/2006 SPARKL1010 wrote:
My cat gets a shot at the Vet about every 6 or 7 weeks for her allergies. I know when it is time to take her there because she begins to lick a spot on her belly until the hair is gone and it looks red. She does not go outside, but she does sit on our screened-in porch. The Vet tells me that is enough for her allergies to kick up. I wonder if there is any natural remedy for her or even something to sooth her itch. I've tried a few itch remedies, but she always licks them off. I worry about her frequent shots of steriods. Any suggestions?
On 4/8/2007 cathi wrote:
MY cat for the past 9 months has been having a puratic type of out breaks. she will pull all the hair from her belly ,wrist, and the back of her legs. A steroid shot does the trick. But it seems like she needs one more frequentley. Can steroids cause blindness?
On 7/22/2007 booger_has_allergies? wrote:
my cat is 9 months old and has a small,very slight fat lip.he also acts like he's gonna puke at least once a day.i dont know if he has allergies or not.read all the details at http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20070722145513AAx4T4Z&r=w
On 12/7/2007 brooksbrittany007 wrote:
my cat just got fixed and got two of his shots. now he acts as if he's having an allergic reaction? he is chomping like he is parched and has cotton mouth. his nose is running. he acts sleepy or nonsocial until i pick him up or play with him. he has never chomped this way before. could this be an allergy or a reaction to the shot? i know when he got fixed they fixed up a wound on his side, could he be sick from licking the cleaned wound? i need help fast...i dont have the money to ask these questions elsewhere.
Leave a Comment
