When a pet experiences allergic reactions to an environmental factor, a food or any other irritant, it raises concerns for pet owners. Although an animal may not show the same symptoms associated with allergies in a pet owner, certain symptoms result in emergency situations and require assistance from a veterinary professional.
Signs of an Allergic Reaction
Many allergies in pets are mild and do not require emergency care in Braselton. In many cases, the allergies are seasonal and relate to environmental factors like pollen or dust. The specific cause of an allergic reaction depends on the animal and the situation, so some pets may show signs of allergic reactions when eating certain foods or as a direct result of a virus or bacterial infection.
Common and mild symptoms of an allergy include:
- Consistent scratching or clear signs of itchiness
- Sneezing, particularly persistent sneezing
- Runny eyes and nose
- Constant licking or chewing on specific areas of the body
- Red skin, which may scab or lose hair due to scratching and biting
In most cases, seasonal allergies are not serious and a veterinary professional can provide appropriate medications to help with the symptoms. Pet owners should pay attention when symptoms worsen or when a pet shows signs of serious reactions to an allergen.
Serious Allergies
Serious allergies refer to any allergens that cause severe and potentially dangerous reactions. Always pay attention to a pet’s breathing or behavior if you suspect an allergy.
Signs of a serious allergy include:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Consistent urination, particularly when it occurs at the same time as other symptoms
- Difficulty breathing
- Going into shock
- Swelling
Always seek immediate emergency care when a pet shows signs of a serious allergy. It may stem from food items, environmental factors or even a bug bite, so take action when you notice any odd behaviors related to an allergy.
What to do in an Emergency
When an emergency occurs, you want to seek immediate assistance at Animal Emergency Care of Braselton. Professional veterinarians in our clinic provide solutions for allergic reactions in pets.
Until you reach our clinic, stay calm and take measures to keep a pet calm. Seek treatment as quickly as possible to prevent long-term complications. Generally, a pet will need appropriate medications to reduce the swelling, improve breathing and address other allergy symptoms. Pets may require careful monitoring and treatment at an animal hospital for one to two days to replace fluids, monitor recovery and heal from the reaction. Veterinarians in our clinic provide appropriate treatments based on the situation and a pet’s specific needs.
Treating a pet during an emergency situation requires the right tools and options. At our clinic, we take measures to help a pet recover from allergies by providing immediate solutions. Allergies may result in severe and potentially life-threatening reactions, so you want to seek treatment immediately if a pet shows signs of a problem. For more information about Animal Emergency Care of Braselton or treatments we offer for allergies, contact us today at (470) 209-7222.
