Allergies & Dermatology

You’re probably well aware of the many allergies and related conditions that can affect humans, but did you know that allergies can also plague our animal friends? What’s more, allergic reactions can trigger many of the same unpleasant symptoms, from itching and minor discomfort to outright pain and even a diminished quality of life for your furry friend.

The good news is we can help! Western Branch Veterinary Hospital offers professional pet allergy skin care to help diagnose, manage and treat problems with the skin, ears and feet most effectively.

Our team is experienced and trained in companion animal skin care and can help pinpoint precisely what’s causing your pet’s reaction so a customized treatment plan can be developed that will reduce and/or eliminate symptoms altogether.

Through our strong working relationships with the area’s best diagnostic laboratories and local specialists in a variety of medical fields, we are equipped to run the necessary diagnostic testing to help us determine what is causing your pet’s symptoms. At Western Branch Veterinary, whether it’s a blood test, a skin scraping and cytology or a biopsy, we’ll use the most appropriate method to get to the bottom of what’s bothering your loved one so we can address the problem most appropriately.

Some of the dermatological issues we can provide assistance with include:

• Infections
• Allergies
• Hormonal Imbalances
• Dermatitis
• Chronic Ear Infections
• Parasites
• Autoimmune Disorders
• Diseases of the Feet
• Tumors
• Skin Cancer

Once we understand exactly what we’re dealing with, we’ll get to work developing a customized treatment plan. Recommended treatment methods may include the use of topical creams, oral or injectable medications, laser therapy, supplements or, when necessary, surgery. Treatment protocols will be completely tailored to you and your pet’s unique needs, the condition being treated, its severity and a number of other important factors.

Should our diagnostic testing indicate that an allergy is to blame for your pet’s symptoms, the next step will be determining what type of allergy we’re dealing with. Companion animals can suffer allergies that are related either to food or to something in their environment. Serum or intra-dermal skin testing help us pinpoint what triggers your pet’s reactions so we can develop a plan for managing those triggers most effectively.

Some of the signs that your pet may be suffering from a problem with his or her skin, ears or feet include:

• Scratching more than usual
• Scabs or flaking skin
• Fur loss/bald spots
• Unusual lumps or bumps
• Biting, chewing or licking excessively at the affected area
• Foul odor coming from the ears or skin

If you notice any of the signs or symptoms, pick up the phone and give us a call. We can help your loved one live a happier, more comfortable life.