A High Commitment Team Dedicated to Caring for Your Pet
CASE #7
|
Cypress
|
 |
|
Cypress is a two-year-old spayed female golden retriever mix. Her
owner became concerned this year when she began to itch and scratch.
There are several reasons for a dog to itch including mites, fleas,
and allergies. A trip to Lexington Blvd. Animal Hospital quickly revealed
that Cypress was likely suffering from an allergy. The common allergies found in dogs include flea allergy, food allergy, and atopy (grass allergy). Since she was already on a topical flea preventative, flea bite allergy was not very likely. It is important to note that some dogs are so sensitive to fleas that a single bite can cause dramatic itching. A special food trial is often used to rule out a food allergy. There are a variety of novel foods available now to manage dogs with food allergies, and the response can be dramatic. However, Cypress was suffering from atopy, a type of allergic reaction to something in the environment. For cases like this, we can offer further diagnostics to determine precisely what is causing your pet's discomfort. Intradermal skin testing (see photo) is a method we used to evaluate what substances were causing Cypress' allergies and to determine how to prevent them. Now she is on a hyposensitization program designed to decrease her response to these allergens. The signs of allergy can include scratching, scooting, licking the paws, and secondary skin and ear infections. In some instances, these pets respond well to a steroid injection; however, it is best to determine the underlying cause of the allergy so that we can achieve long acting relief. While these can be tough cases to solve, there are many options available for evaluating and treating animals with these conditions. |
|
2627 Cordes Drive Sugar Land, Texas 77479 24-Hour Emergency Care for Our Clients Phone:(281) 980-3737 Fax: (281) 265-5584 Email:info@lexingtonpethospital.com |
 |