Diagnosing and Treating Food Allergies vs. Environmental Allergies in Pets

While food and environmental allergies can cause similar symptoms in pets, there are integral differences between the two forms of allergies. Understanding whether your pet is suffering from food or environmental allergies is vital for ensuring it receives the proper preventative care to manage symptoms. Trilby Animal Hospital in Toledo, OH, is here to explain the differences between food and environmental allergies, how we diagnose them, and the available treatment options to manage them.

Diagnosing and Treating Food Allergies

Food allergies typically cause gastrointestinal problems like vomiting and diarrhea. Your pet may also experience itchy skin, ear infections, and skin infections when dealing with a food allergy. Your vet near you can recommend an elimination diet trial to diagnose food allergies. This test involves feeding your pet a hypoallergenic formula for 8-12 weeks. If your pet’s symptoms resolve, your veterinarian will reintroduce potential problem ingredients like beef, dairy, chicken, fish, eggs, corn, wheat, and soy to determine the allergen. Your pet can then avoid food items it is allergic to once you identify the culprit. Your vet near you may also prescribe medication to ease food allergy symptoms until it adjusts to a new nutritional plan.

Diagnosing and Treating Environmental Allergies

Environmental or seasonal allergies tend to follow a seasonal pattern and involve allergens like pollen, mold, dust mites, and grass. Symptoms typically include itchy skin, recurrent ear or skin infections, and scratching or licking at the skin. Your veterinarian can perform diagnostic allergy blood tests and intradermal skin tests to determine environmental allergens. They can then provide medicated shampoos, antihistamines, or omega fatty acid supplements to treat symptoms. You can manage your pet’s symptoms at home by keeping your pet indoors during high pollen days and cleaning your pet after spending time outdoors.

Get Treatment for Your Pet’s Allergies Today at Trilby Animal Hospital

Understanding the type of allergies your pet has is crucial for getting it the proper preventative care to keep it healthy and happy, so contact Trilby Animal Hospital in Toledo, OH, to diagnose and treat your pet’s allergies. Our veterinary team can provide a wellness exam and several pet care services to ensure your pet lives a long and healthy life, so call us and schedule an appointment today at (419) 474-5403.