Understanding and Treating Cat and Dog Skin Issues s in Boca Raton, FL

Dermatology

Skin issues can be a red flag that your pet is experiencing with health issues. Because we are paying close attention for the overall wellness of your pet, we notice the behaviors that can be symptoms of a significant health problem. If you notice any change in behavior, it’s important your pet see the vet when these symptoms start to happen. Causes can range from food or environmental allergies, an infection, stress or any one of the many issues, at Boca Palms Animal Hospital, we can examine and test your pet based on the diagnosis, offer you treatment options that will provide relief to your pet – and you as well

Symptoms of Skin Problems in Cats & Dogs:

Excessive scratching, chewing or licking
Rashes
Lesions
Irritated or dry skin
Scabs
Red or inflamed skin
Hair loss
Rubbing of face against furniture or carpets

Allergies

Allergies are simply a fact of life for many dogs and cats, but an endless cycle of itching and scratching does not have to be a permanent part of their life. At Boca Palms Animal Hospital, many of our patients are brought to us with itching and skin problems. Allergies are often (but not always) the culprit, and the key to finding a successful treatment plan is to find out what exactly is causing them. Cat and dog allergies present themselves a bit differently from human allergies. We don’t usually develop itchy skin like our pets do–itchy skin, or “pruritus,” is one of the primary symptoms. If you think your pet is suffering from itchy skin, let us know so we can help!

What Other Signs Should I Look for to Know if My Pet is Itching?

If you’re busy and don’t get the chance to observe your pet all that much during the day, it can be hard to know if they’re scratching themselves frequently. Some helpful physical signs that could point to itchy skin include:

Raw, red patches of skin
Bald spots in the coat, including between the toes, under the arms and legs, and on the belly and sides
Ears are red and inflamed (could signify an ear infection)
The skin and ears give off an unpleasant odor

The problem with itchy skin isn’t just the itch–it’s the scratching and licking your pet does, which can damage their skin barrier and expose them to bacterial infections. These secondary infections can make the itching worse, and cause other health problems for your pet.

Additional Signs of an Allergy

Other outward signs that could point to allergies in your pet include:

Runny eyes
Runny nose
Sneezing
Rubbing at ears and eyes (with paws or against furniture)
Vomiting/diarrhea (may occur with a food allergy)

How We Can Treat Cat and Dog Allergies

There is no final cure for allergies in dogs and cats, but we can certainly help them manage the symptoms better and live a happier life. To develop a working treatment plan for your pet, we need to:

Examine your pet from nose to tail
Possibly perform blood and skin tests to narrow down potential culprits
Possibly conduct a food trial in which we change your pet’s diet and gradually reintroduce ingredients from their previous diet to see if one of them is responsible for the allergy
Be confident that we have the most accurate diagnosis for your pet’s condition

In some cases, we may need to refer your pet to an animal dermatologist for more advanced testing. For treatment, we offer a variety of options, such as:

Oral anti-itch medications
Injectable anti-itch treatments
Topical medications
Anti-itch shampoos
Hypoallergenic diets and treats
Methods for reducing or preventing your pet’s exposure to the offending allergen(s)

Let’s work together to help your pet overcome their allergy symptoms.

Call (561) 395-4030 or schedule an appointment online today.