Humans can develop allergies to a number of things, and pets can do the same. Pet allergies can be common, and they can make a pet highly uncomfortable. Pets can become allergic to something they eat, something they come into contact with or an allergen that is in the air. There are countless allergens in our environments, and pets can have different reactions to an allergen that affects them. Pets with allergies might need treatment because they are so uncomfortable and may end up with a skin infection or ear infection. When you need to see a veterinarian on our veterinary team for your pet's allergies, call our animal hospital in Lakewood, CA, to make an appointment. We at Lakewood Pet Vet Animal Hospital are here to help.
Pet Allergens
An allergen is something that causes an allergic reaction. It may be a protein of some type. Pets have mast cells in their body. An allergen can affect these mast cells, and this causes their allergic reaction. Mast cells release certain chemicals into the pet when an allergic reaction happens, and these chemicals cause inflammation. Often, it is histamines that are released, and these can create different types of allergic reactions. The exact reaction that a pet has may depend on the unique pet and the allergen. Pets may react to an allergen in minutes, or it may be longer.
Find the Allergen
It's ideal to figure out what the allergen is so that it might be avoided in the future. However, it can be hard to figure out what the trigger is. Sometimes, the exact allergen might not be pinpointed, but it can be a good idea to try. When you see a veterinarian on our veterinary team, you can discuss the possibilities and narrow down what the allergen may be. There are a number of common allergens for pets that you can go over and try to figure out whether one of them is affecting your pet. If there are new chemicals being used in the home such as a new cleaner or detergent, this may be the problem. Various plants that the pet may come into contact with might cause allergies. Your pet may be eating foods that are causing a reaction, or he may react to dust that's in the home.
See a Veterinarian on Our Veterinary Team
When your pet has a skin infection, ear infection, skin rash, etc., the problem may be a pet allergy. When you need to see a veterinarian, call our animal hospital in Lakewood, CA, to schedule an appointment. Call us at (562) 925-2300 for Lakewood Pet Vet Animal Hospital.