May is National Allergy and Asthma Awareness Month, and while you may already be perfectly aware of your own allergies, don’t forget that your pet can have similar struggles with grass, dust, and other environmental allergens when spring hits. Signs of allergies in pets may include:
- Coughing
- Wheezing
- Sneezing
- Runny nose
- Watery, itchy and/or red eyes
- Itchy, flaky and/or red skin
If you have a pet that’s driving you crazy with these symptoms, it’s a good bet he or she feels much worse. We can help by not only treating the symptoms to help your pet feel better, but also with testing to determine what’s causing the reaction in the first place. Once the problem substance is identified, a specialized serum containing small quantities of the allergen can be formulated specifically for your pet, eliminating the need for symptom relief.
In the meantime, there are some very helpful medications that can make your pet feel better almost immediately. One of those is Apoquel, which we carry and offer for bulk purchase at a discount in our hospital. Apoquel also qualifies for the Zoetis Rewards Program where you can earn reward dollars directly from the manufacturer.
Cytopoint is another great option we recommend for alleviating allergy symptoms, and your Seagrove veterinarian can help you decide which product is best for your pet and your budget.
There are also some things you can do at home to help your pet (and yourself if allergies get to you this time of year): bathing your pet frequently, wiping your pet’s feet when she comes in from outside, and regular vacuuming and dusting can reduce the allergens in your house.
Please don’t hesitate to give us a call if your pet is showing allergy symptoms—we’re here to help and will be happy to answer your questions. Call 336-873-7997.
