Dermatology

Some of the most common signs that your pet might have been exposed to an allergen and is experiencing a negative reaction include:

Here are some signs that your pet might have a skin problem:

• Excessive licking, chewing, biting or scratching
• Hair loss
• Changes in the skin: sores, scabs, flaky skin
• Runny, itchy eyes
• Itchy ears, red and inflamed ear canals, ear discharge
• Head shaking
• Body odor
• Foot chewing

If your pet is experiencing any of these symptoms, you should contact us right away, as skin conditions can worsen and threaten your pet’s quality of life.

Skin conditions in animals can result from many variables ranging from intestinal problems to exposure to dangerous chemicals. However, the most common causes of skin reactions are parasites and allergies.

Skin parasites are tiny critters that use your pet as a host by clinging to their skin and often feed on their blood. If it sounds gross, it’s because they are!

The most common parasites include fleas or ticks. When these bugs bite on the skin, their saliva often causes allergic reactions, leading to skin irritation. This is the source of scratching and biting.

Northlake Animal Hospital provides several safe and effective parasite-prevention medications and treatments. Our goal is to stop the current irritation and protect your pet from having to endure that discomfort in the future. This is especially important here in Florida, as fleas and ticks thrive in warm weather. We only offer the best and most proven products, like Nexgard (a delicious once-a-month oral medication), to protect your furry friend.

Infections leave visible signs of red, crusty, flaky skin or hair loss, pimples, and bumps. Northlake Animal Hospital can treat your pet with antibiotics, antifungals, steroids, or topical treatments to prevent further damage. We also offer medications for at-home use and specialized therapeutic shampoos.

Allergens are one of the most dreaded enemies of pet owners because they can be found just about anywhere. Dogs and cats can be allergic to so many things in the environment that trying to protect your pet can seem impossible. Still, regular visits to the veterinarian and watchful eye can significantly reduce the risk of infection and skin damage.

Food presents a compassionate source for allergies, as pets can develop a food allergy even if their diet doesn’t change. Diagnosing and treating food allergies can be tricky because it’s best achieved through food trials, not traditional pet allergy testing. Contact your vet immediately if you suspect your pet is developing a food allergy.

Determining the source or cause of an allergy requires specialized testing or trials.

When you bring your pets to Northlake Animal Hospital, our veterinarians will perform a comprehensive physical exam and a series of tests to determine the root cause of the allergic reaction.

Once we narrow down the source of the allergy, we can dispense the necessary treatment. Medication for your pet’s allergies often resembles the medication used in humans – for example, shots are a widespread treatment to desensitize your pet to allergens. Even though allergy hyposensitization is not necessarily an immediate cure, it has been shown to decrease symptoms in 70-75% of cases and address the source of the allergies.

Advancements in veterinary technology have allowed new modern treatments for canine and feline allergies. Before dispersing any treatment, we thoroughly examine to diagnose and determine which option will work best for your pet. Once we have chosen the cause of the allergies, we use a combination of traditional therapies and new treatments like Apoquel or Cytopoint.

• Apoquel is a daily medication that your dog is to take orally. It has proven to stop allergic reactions without the negative side effects of steroids.
• Cytopointis is an injection that is administered every four to eight weeks. This is a biological therapy that works with your dog’s immune system to overcome allergic reactions.

You should always remember that allergy treatment is not the same as a cure. Managing your pet’s allergies is an ongoing process requiring joint effort between you as the owner and your veterinarian.

If you have a dog with allergies or skin infections, remember to seek help from a dermatologist immediately. Staying on top of allergies is the best way to prevent disease and lasting damage to the skin.

At Northlake Animal Hospital, you’ll find a dedicated team of professionals committed to improving the life of your pet. If your furry friend can’t stop scratching, come to our clinic for quality testing and general care you can rely on. If you need help from a pet dermatologist,

Contact us today to make an appointment!