Pet Allergies
Testing and Treatment Options for Allergy Relief
Allergies can make life miserable for pets and frustrating for the people who love them. No one wants to watch their loving companion suffer from constant itching, ear infections, or skin irritation. Queen City Veterinary Clinic diagnoses and treats pet allergies for the Cincinnati community. With the right plan, your pet will feel more comfortable so they can get back to their life before allergies.
Testing for Allergies in Pets
Pets can develop allergies to environmental triggers like pollen, dust mites, or mold, as well as food ingredients or parasites like fleas. Common signs of a pet allergy include chronic itching, licking or chewing at the paws, ear infections, hair loss, or skin rashes.
To determine the cause, our veterinarians begin with a thorough exam and may perform a skin scrape to rule out other conditions like bacterial infections or parasites. For environmental allergies, we may send out blood samples for pet allergy testing that identifies specific allergens. A staff member will call or text you once results are available. These tests can be used to build an effective treatment plan based on your pet’s sensitivities.
Treatments for When Pets Have Allergies
There are allergy treatment options available for cats and dogs.
No two pets are alike, so our staff will determine an allergy management plan based on their lifestyle, symptoms, and test results. Allergy treatment options for pets may include:
- Oral or topical medications to reduce inflammation and itching
- Medicated shampoos to soothe skin
- Immunotherapy injections to desensitize the immune system
- Long-acting anti-itch injections that provide relief
- Dietary changes to eliminate common allergens or support skin health
- Supplements to support skin barrier function and immune health
Managing a pet allergy may take some time and adjustments, but we’ll work closely with you to find the best combination of treatments for lasting relief.
Does Your Pet Have a Food Allergy?
Food allergies are often suspected when a pet has year-round skin issues, chronic ear infections, or gastrointestinal upset that doesn’t respond to other treatments. While food sensitivity tests exist, the most accurate way to identify a food allergy in pets is through an elimination diet. This involves feeding a specific diet and removing all other food sources, including treats, for a period of time. Specific foods are then gradually reintroduced.
Our staff will guide you through the elimination process so that your fur baby receives complete and balanced nutrition during the trial period. Once we’ve identified a safe diet, we’ll work with you to develop long-term nutritional strategies to keep your pet healthy and symptom-free.
Allergy Management for Pets in Cincinnati, OH
No pet should have to suffer from constant itching or discomfort.
With a clear diagnosis and targeted allergy treatment for pets, relief is within reach. If you suspect your cat or dog may be dealing with a pet allergy, contact us at Queen City Veterinary Clinic to schedule an evaluation.
Queen City Veterinary Clinic has allergy testing and treatment for cats and dogs from Walnut Hills, Hyde Park, Evanston, Avondale, CUF, Over-the-Rhine, Downtown Cincinnati, Norwood, Oakley, O’Bryonville, Columbia Tusculum, and the central Cincinnati, OH area, as well as Dayton, Bellevue, Ft. Thomas, Park Hills, Southgate, Newport, and the Northern Kentucky area.
