Request Appointment Allergy Services The highest standards of care for allergies.

Allergies

Allergies are a common misery and frustration source for people and pets—and a condition our Veterinary Medical Center of Indian River County team frequently diagnoses. People express allergies through their upper respiratory tract, but many dogs and cats express allergies through their skin, and owners are often surprised to learn that allergies are causing their pet’s itching and irritation.

Pet Allergy Causes

Similar to their owners, pets can experience an allergic reaction to a range of substances—from insect bites to medication—and some allergic reactions can be acute and life-threatening. Pets’ most common everyday allergies are categorized as three types:

  • Environmental — Environmental allergies (i.e., airborne or inhalant allergies, or atopy) are naturally occuring substances indoors (e.g., mold, mildew, dust) and outdoors (e.g., tree pollen, weeds, grasses). Household products, such as cleaners and chemically treated fabrics, can also spark a pet’s reaction.
  • Food — Pets can be allergic to food ingredients, especially proteins and, to a lesser extent, carbohydrates.
  • Fleas — Dogs and cats can be allergic to a protein found in flea saliva. One flea bite can trigger intense itching, discomfort, and irritation in allergic pets.

Allergy Complications

Although seasonal allergies—grass and tree pollen—tend to ease during the fall and winter, many pets’ allergies persist year-round, making veterinary treatment their only option for relief. Left untreated, pets scratch or bite their skin until they cause self-trauma, which can result in secondary bacterial or fungal infections, hot spots, hair loss, painful inflammation, and behavior changes. Food-allergic pets may experience gastrointestinal signs that include vomiting, diarrhea, and weight loss.

Does Your Pet Have Allergies? Although your veterinarian cannot cure your pet’s allergies, they can help manage your pet’s allergy signs through a combination therapy that includes medication, diet, parasite prevention, and environmental modifications. Our Veterinary Medical Center of Indian River County team offers your allergic pet a range of therapeutic options to relieve their discomfort, block their allergic response, and restore skin, coat, and immune health. Your pet’s allergy signs are different from your upper respiratory tract allergy symptoms. Common allergy signs in pets include:
  • Excessive scratching
  • Red or irritated skin
  • Hives, bumps, or rash
  • Hair loss
  • Chronic ear infections
  • Recurring hot spots
  • Self-inflicted wounds
  • Eye discharge
  • Nasal discharge
  • Sneezing
  • Coughing
  • Biting or licking , especially at the tail base, paws, underarm, flank, and groin areas.
If you suspect your pet is suffering from an allergy, schedule an appointment with our Veterinary Medical Center of Indian River County team. Our veterinarians will review your pet’s signs, perform a complete physical examination, and provide beneficial treatment options to break the vicious cycle of allergic misery. Relief for Allergic Pets