Oh No!!! Your pet is scratching and itching again! You thought that your pet’s allergy problems were gone but all the scratching, itching, chewing and discomfort have come back. Many people mistakenly conclude that their pet is scratching due to fleas.
Of course, it is a good idea to rule this out first and use appropriate flea medication. However, once the flea situation is under control, here are some points you should be aware of:
1) Allergies are cumulative. In other words, a pet may have both food and environmental allergies but they only become noticeable during certain times of the year. This doesn’t mean your pet doesn’t have allergic reactions all the time. It just means that the situation builds up similar to a balloon that fills up with air until it pops. In your pet’s case, it may mean that all of a sudden your pet has hot spots or starts chewing on its paws or rear end.
2) Cats and dogs may display allergy symptoms differently. Cats may have respiratory symptoms, vomiting and other digestive disorders due to allergies as well as skin reactions. Dogs may have scratching, itching, chewing on fur, ear infections, scooting on their rear end and weepy eyes.
3) Most of the time, pets have BOTH food and environmental allergies. There is no one medication or supplement that will cure your pet’s symptoms. Skin problems are tough and require a comprehensive effort. Using the following protocol for your pet can be helpful:
* Topical treatment in the form of therapeutic baths (available from your veterinarian) and natural sprays (If your pet is allergic to grass, try washing paws after going outside)
* Special hypoallergenic diet-Keep the following ingredients out of your pet’s diet. There is no “one” allergy diet that works for everyone. Each pet is different. You will need to try a few diets and/or learn how to prepare a homemade diet.
Common Allergens in Pet Food
Wheat
Corn
Soy
Gluten (found in wheat, barley, spelt and other grains)
Milk Products
Casein (found in cheese)
Beef (problem for some dogs)
Chicken (problem for some cats and dogs)
Fish (cats can often be allergic)
Peanut Butter (big allergen!)
* Air purifier-an air purifier can greatly help with environmental allergies. Try to get one that either has a HEPA filter or ozone purifier. You and your pets can still benefit from an air purifier even if doors and windows are frequently left open.
4) Use supplements to help your pet cope with allergy season, reduce inflammation and overall discomfort . Be sure to include a generous amount of Omega 3s from fish and flax oil, bioflavanoids such as quercetin, digestive enzymes and an effective probiotic. There are also some homeopathic and Chinese remedies that are very helpful for controlling allergy symptoms.
5) Finally, if your pet is suffering from allergies, please be advised that there is usually no “quick fix.” Medications such as prednisone, antibiotics and antihistamines can provide short-term relief but a comprehensive holistic protocol can help heal your pet for the long-term. Before using any holistic protocol, an initial visit to your veterinarian is warranted. This is because skin issues can be a sign of an underlying endocrine condition such as hypothyroidism or Cushing’s disease and/or your pet may have some serious infections that need to be addressed as well. A veterinarian exam, blood test and doctor’s diagnoses regarding the type of infections your pet has are critical to help your pet get well. Using a combination of both conventional and holistic veterinary medicine seems to deliver the best results for dogs and cats with allergies and skin problems.
[tags]holistic pet care, Susan Blake Davis, treating pet allergies[/tags]
