TAYLOR VETS

Skin & Allergy Management

Dogs and cats can experience a range of skin conditions, from fungal infections to allergies. Our team has the expertise to accurately diagnose and treat these problems.

Primary Care Service

Skin & Allergy Management

While there is no cure for allergies in pets, their symptoms can be effectively managed with the right treatment. Our vets will review your options, which may include anti-itch medications, antibiotics, topical sprays, or even dietary changes. The first step is diagnosing whether your pet has allergies or a skin infection.

We provide a range of treatment options for pet allergies and will collaborate with you to develop a personalised treatment plan tailored to your pet’s needs.

Diagnosing Allergy

To determine whether your pet has an allergy and to accurately diagnose what is causing the allergic reaction, we may use a variety of methods to help us, including:

  • Skin scraping
  • Skin culture
  • Biopsy
  • Allergy testing
  • Fungal culture
  • Prescription diet trials (if a food allergy is suspected)

Pets can develop allergies to certain food ingredients, including beef and chicken byproducts, dairy, soy, wheat, and corn. To diagnose a food allergy, we conduct a diet trial, restricting your pet to a prescription diet for up to three months, without any treats or table scraps. If this new diet leads to improvement, we may recommend it as a long-term solution.

In addition to food allergies, we also address various conditions such as flea allergy dermatitis, atopic dermatitis, and ringworm. Ringworm is a highly contagious fungal infection that can spread rapidly to other animals and humans, making it challenging to treat. Atopic dermatitis may be triggered by exposure to dust mites, certain moulds, pollens, and grasses, while flea allergy dermatitis results from hypersensitivity to flea bites.

Treatment for skin allergies in dogs

Atopy is a lifelong condition with no cure, but there are several strategies your vet may recommend to alleviate your dog’s discomfort and enhance their quality of life. It’s important to understand that no single treatment works for every dog; weswill customize the treatment plan to meet your dog’s specific needs.

Potential options for managing skin allergies include medications to reduce itching and inflammation, bathing with medicated shampoo, and incorporating omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, which can provide mild benefits. Additionally, regular flea treatment is essential; if you’re frequently bathing your pet with medicated shampoo, you may need to consider alternatives to spot-on treatments.