Tulsa, Oklahoma (PRWEB) July 08, 2013 -- Francis V. Schwenk, a veterinary professional, devotes his time to helping pet owners provide proper care for their four-legged friends. He explains that allergy season is often a miserable experience for humans, but that pets frequently deal with equal amounts of suffering due to their own allergies. A new article offers advice to pet owners who believe that their dog or cat may be suffering from allergies, either from food, bee stings, or other factors. As humans are dealing with sneezing fits and itchy eyes, animals are often struggling too, which is why care from a veterinarian is important.
An animal that is experiencing an allergic reaction will scratch constantly. In some severe cases, the animal will develop red, open sores and hair loss as a result of their frequent itching. Should a pet owner notice that his or her animal is constantly scratching and paying attention to their skin, it is time to seek help from a veterinary professional in order to get a diagnosis and a treatment plan in place. Dogs and cats regularly suffer from allergies relating to airborne particles like dust mites, mold, and pollen. These issues are mostly seasonal, and can result in the animal chewing its paws, rubbing its face, experiencing inflamed ears or ear infections, and licking its the legs and groin.
Some animals may also experience allergies that come about as a result of fleabites. This condition is called flea allergy dermatitis. It is more common in dogs, and may lead to more serious symptoms like hives, facial swelling, and even anaphylaxis if left untreated. Most symptoms will display themselves within 20 minutes of exposure to a fleabite or bee sting. If an animal suddenly becomes immobile, is having difficulty breathing, or is vomiting excessively, it is important for a pet owner to seek immediate medical attention. For dogs that regularly suffer from this condition, pet owners can purchase an epi-pen to stabilize the pet until medical care becomes available.
Francis V. Schwenk comments, “Just like when humans have severe allergies, a pet owner must know how to deal with this condition should it begin to impact their pets. A quick reaction and immediate medical attention will keep the animal safe as they deal with severe allergies. Pet owners should also take time to understand the common signs and symptoms of allergies in dogs and cats. This allows them to understand when their animal needs to see a vet for a diagnosis and treatment options.”
In some instances a dog or cat will not experience seasonal allergies, but will instead contract contact dermatitis. This condition occurs when the pet rubs against carpets, plastics, grass, and other substances that cause irritation. Symptoms of the issue include intense scratching, hair loss, and red bumps on the areas of the body that were exposed to the irritating substance. Pet owners should also be aware that it is fairly common for an animal to have food allergies. Francis V. Schwenk explains that a veterinarian can perform allergy tests to determine whether the pet is allergic to specific tips of food, thus helping a pet owner to provide a diet that will not sicken the dog or cat.
ABOUT:
Francis V. Schwenk owns and operates his own veterinary clinic outside of Tulsa, Oklahoma. After significant growth, Dr. Schwenk’s practice regularly treats roughly 4,000 patients each year. Each day Dr. Schwenk personally attends to roughly 20 of these cases every day, which range from routine checkups to serious medical emergencies that require surgery to correct. Dr. Schwenk is an animal lover who enjoys talking to pet owners about how they can provide the best care possible for their animals.
Jessica Baldwin, PR Management Inc., 484-362-9658, [email protected]
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