Allergies

As with children and adults your pet may suffer from many types of allergies. Below are some guidelines. Any pet exhibiting difficulty breathing, pale, white or blue gums should be seen immediately.

• Food:
  There are many dogs that are allergic to specific foods: symptoms are generally scratching and hair loss. Treatment involves testing for specific reactions and then a controlled diet: we stock special foods for pets allergic to foodstuffs. Most of these reactions are not emergencies. However any pet exhibiting difficulty breathing, pale, white or blue gums should be seen immediately.
• Environment/Dust/Pollen:
  Your pet may be allergic to any of the materials or chemicals in your home and around your home. These are generally not emergencies. However any pet exhibiting difficulty breathing, pale, white or blue gums should be seen immediately.
• Medication:
  Most pets tolerate medications - but if your pet has a reaction to a prescribed medication bring it to the clinic immediately along with the medication. Any pet exhibiting difficulty breathing, pale, white or blue gums should be seen immediately.
  
  Never use over the counter medications without consulting your veterinarian.
  WARNING
  Tylenol (Acetaminophen) is deadly poisonous to cats and must not be given to dogs.
  Aspirin can be toxic to cats and must only be administered by or under the advice of a veterinarian.
  
• Plants:
  Some plants can cause allergic reactions without being poisonous. Similar to food they generally cause scratching and hair loss and are not emergencies. However any pet exhibiting difficulty breathing, pale, white or blue gums should be seen immediately.
• Bee Stings:
  Animals stung by bees may have facial swelling, hives, difficulty breathing and/or intense itching. Should your pet have an allergic reaction call us immediately.