EberVet | Allergies have myriad causes

Writer: Dr Hilldidge Beer.

It’s a refrain veterinarians hear often from pet owners: “My dog won’t stop scratching; it’s driving me nuts”.

The most common cause of itching, skin infections, and ear infections in both dogs and cats are fleas, allergies to fleas, and environmental allergies – dust mites, pollen, and grasses.

Both flea allergies and environmental allergies are much more common in pets than food allergies but flea, environmental, and food allergies can all have similar symptoms.

Allergies cause great discomfort to your pets, often leaving them with bald, bleeding patches and raised bumps or blisters on the skin. Food allergies can result in diarrhoea and vomiting.

Flea allergies usually present as redness and scratching of the tail, rump, neck and back area. If your pet is itching, treat for fleas first because even if you can’t see the fleas, they’re probably there. Flea mites are microscopically small and present all year round so constant protection is needed. Your EberVet Vetshop has a range of flea remedies for dogs and cats, including chews, spot-ons, collars and powders.

Click below to read more. (The full article can be found on page 16)