Pet Dermatology: Treating Cat and Dog Allergies and Skin Disorders in Fogelsville, PA
Is your pet constantly scratching at itchy skin? Are you noticing redness, inflammation, scabbing, or other signs of a skin problem? At Sunflower Veterinary Center, we understand how uncomfortable allergies and other skin conditions can be for dogs and cats, but these issues can be a hassle for pet owners, too! Since we want you both to be healthy and happy, our dedicated team in Fogelsville, PA, is here to provide pet dermatology services to give your companion the relief and comfort they deserve.
What is Pet Dermatology?
Pet itching, redness, rashes, and other skin conditions can stem from all kinds of sources, including allergies, bacterial or fungal infections, parasites, or other causes. Our goal is to identify the root cause of your pet’s woes and provide an effective treatment that relieves their discomfort and alleviates any existing, secondary infections. Pet dermatology is all about diagnosing, treating, and managing the wide variety of skin disorders we see here in Fogelsville.
Common Signs of Skin Disorders and Allergies in Dogs and Cats
The following clinical symptoms are the most common things we see in pets with allergies and/or skin disorders:
- Excessive scratching, licking, or chewing
- Redness, inflammation, or rashes on the skin
- Hot spots or bald patches
- Flaky, dry, or scaly skin
- Oozing sores or pustules
- A dull, greasy coat (change in texture)
Pet Dermatology Services We Can Provide
Our animal hospital is equipped to handle a wide range of dermatology cases, from skin allergies to chronic ear infections. To treat these issues, we can offer:
Following a physical exam, we may perform in-house skin scrapings, in-house skin and/or ear cytologies, fungal testing, and may sometimes recommend blood work to determine the underlying cause of your pet’s condition. The skin tests involve obtaining a sample of the affected area and evaluating the sample under the microscope for bacteria, yeast, mites, or other organisms that may be responsible for your pet’s clinical signs.
Depending on your pet’s final diagnosis, our team can offer many different treatment options such as oral medication, topical medication, dietary changes (such as a hypoallergenic diet), and injectable medication.
If your pet continues having allergy flare-ups despite their tailored management plan, we can refer them for intradermal allergy testing with a pet dermatologist. The dermatologist can formulate an allergy injection (often given orally) specific to the allergens affecting your pet.
External parasites are often the culprits of skin issues in dogs and cats. Fortunately, Sunflower Veterinary Center carries a broad spectrum of parasite control medications to prevent infestations and keep your pet itch-free.
We love sitting down with pet parents and empowering them with the knowledge to keep their loved ones healthy. Our team will be happy to educate you on preventative measures you can take to reduce your pet’s risk for future skin disorders and allergies.
If you recognize any of these issues in your pet, contact our animal hospital at (484) 273-4299 so we can help!