Signs Your Furry Friend May Have Skin Allergies

Skin allergies are not only irritating to your furry friend but can also lead to more severe health issues. If you notice your dog scratching more than usual, it could be due to allergy symptoms. Through the animal dermatology services at Bluestar Pet Hospital & Grooming in St. Johns, Florida, you can determine the cause of your pet’s discomfort so he can get treatment. Working with an experienced canine allergist can help you find solutions to canine skin allergy issues.

Signs Your Pet May Have Skin Allergies

The following are telltale signs your pup may be suffering from skin allergies:

• Red, dry, itchy skin
• Excessive scratching, licking or biting in response to the itching
• Sores on your pet’s skin
• Hives
• Swelling around eyes and ears
• Fur loss
• Constant rubbing of the face or ears

Excessive biting and scratching can lead to bacterial infections that can cause even more pain and discomfort. Our animal dermatology services can help reduce this risk and restore your pet’s health.

Causes of Canine Skin Allergies

Dogs have no single cause of skin allergies, as different irritants can produce allergic reactions. In general, however, canine skin allergies can be triggered by:

• Food your dog eats
• Substances in his environment
• Flea saliva

Food allergies can show up on your pet’s skin in the form of hives, facial swelling, or dry, scaly skin. Food sensitivities refer to an intolerance your dog may have to ingredients in its food, such as chicken, milk, or beef. This intolerance can produce itchiness, ear infections, vomiting, and diarrhea.

Environmental allergies can be triggered by substances in your pet’s environment, such as mold, dust, and pollen or chemicals in household or grooming products. This includes seasonal allergies, which only occur at certain times of the year. Environmental allergies can appear on your pet’s paws, ears, around its muzzle or eyes, or any part of its body that comes into contact with the allergen.

Many dogs are allergic to flea saliva, which can cause a condition called flea allergy dermatitis, characterized by red, itchy, inflamed skin. This problem can best be resolved by ridding your pet of fleas.

Treatment for Canine Skin Allergies

Our veterinarians and staff can recommend several treatments for skin allergies in dogs. The first step is diagnosing your pet’s condition and determining the cause of the symptoms. This can be done through skin and blood tests. For food allergies, we can place your pup on a restrictive diet and gradually introduce foods into his system to single out what’s triggering allergic symptoms. Once the allergens have been identified, you can eliminate them from your pet’s environment or diet to get rid of its symptoms. We can also recommend medications that can help relieve itchiness and promote healing.

Canine Allergist Near Me in St. Johns, Florida

To learn more about our animal dermatology services and the benefits they can provide in relieving canine skin allergies, contact Bluestar Pet Hospital & Grooming in St. Johns, Florida, at (904) 720-4275.

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