In Odessa’s mild climate, allergy “season” seems to last all year round, and springtime is no exception. With the beautiful blooms on trees and flowers comes an uptick in airborne allergens that can affect Odessa pets.

At Caring Paws Animal Hospital, we take pet allergies and dermatology seriously. If you have an itchy pet, you’ve come to the right place. Please keep reading for our team’s tips on alleviating pet allergies for your four-legged friends this spring.

What Causes Pet Allergies?

Our pets, just like us, can have an overactive immune response to an allergen, and this response can range from mild to severe and can change with the seasons.

Springtime allergens that can trigger Odessa pets include:

• Pollen from trees, grass, and flowers
• Flea bites
• Dust and dust mites
• Mold Spores
• The dander from other animals

The Itchy Reality: Know the Symptoms of Pet Allergies

Pet allergies typically manifest as skin problems, but some Odessa pets can also experience respiratory issues. 

Watch for these signs of pet allergies:

• Excessive scratching or biting at the skin
• Persistent chewing or licking at paws
• Lick granulomas
• Red, inflamed, or oozing skin
• Bald spots
• Watery eyes
• Runny nose
• Chronic ear infections
• Sneezing or wheezing
• Chronic snoring

Seek Seasonal Pet Care to Get Help for an Itchy Pet 

If you suspect pet allergies are making your furry family member uncomfortable, the first thing to do is contact your veterinarian for an appointment. Pet allergies and other health conditions have similar symptoms, so an accurate diagnosis is priority number one. Your Caring Paws doctor will perform a thorough physical examination and order the right diagnostics to ensure that your itchy pet doesn’t have a more serious health problem. By pinpointing the allergen, we can effectively manage your pet’s allergies and restore comfort to your beloved pet.

Managing Your Pet’s Allergies

If we diagnose your pet with seasonal allergies, we will create a treatment plan and share preventive steps to improve your pet’s comfort. This combination of medication and at-home adaptations will include a combination of the following:

• Allergy shots (immunotherapy)
• Injections such as Cytopoint 
• An oral treatment such as Apoquel 
• Year-round flea and tick preventives
• Routine bathing with a hypoallergenic shampoo made just for pets
• Nutritional changes
• Minimizing your pet’s time outside
• Wiping off your pet’s fur and paws after being outdoors
• Frequently washing pet bedding and/or blankets
• Frequently vacuuming the sofa or other places where your pet rests

Make Managing Allergies Part of Your Springtime Pet Care

If you have an itchy pet or if it’s time for your pet’s wellness visit, please contact us at (813) 723-7297. Our team will put your cat or dog on the path to better health—and allergy relief.