Pet Allergies & Skin Conditions
in Rock Hill
Testing and treatments are available for your pet’s skin issues.
Allergies and other skin conditions can cause your pet discomfort and distress.
Pets with these issues often experience itching, redness, and irritation that affect their quality of life.
Our veterinarians can diagnose and treat skin conditions and allergies in cats and dogs from the Rock Hill, SC area. From environmental allergies to more complex skin disorders, we have the tools and experience to get to the bottom of your furry friend’s skin issues. With our help, your pet will feel comfortable in their skin again.
Recognizing Allergies & Skin Conditions in Pets
Pets can develop allergies to a variety of things, including environmental factors like pollen, dust, or mold, as well as fleas, certain foods, or household products like shampoos. Common signs of allergies in pets include excessive itching, licking, or chewing at the skin, hair loss, red or inflamed skin, and frequent ear infections. Some pets may also experience sneezing, watery eyes, or gastrointestinal symptoms like vomiting or diarrhea in cases of food allergies.
In addition to allergies, cats and dogs can suffer from skin conditions. These skin issues in pets can include hot spots, infections, ringworm, and autoimmune diseases that affect the skin. Signs of a skin condition often overlap with those of allergies and may include rashes, scabs, sores, bald patches, or persistent scratching. If your pet’s skin appears abnormal or they’re constantly scratching or licking, it’s time to schedule an appointment with our team for a thorough dermatological evaluation. Early diagnosis and treatment prevents further discomfort.
Skin and Allergy Testing: Diagnosing Your Pet
To accurately diagnose a pet’s allergy or other skin conditions, our veterinarians will utilize in-house skin and allergy testing options. These in-house diagnostics may include:
- Skin Scraping Used to check for mites, infections, or other underlying skin issues.
- Cytology A test that examines cells from the skin or ears to diagnose infections or inflammation.
- Fungal Culture Often used to diagnose fungal infections like ringworm.
- Blood Work Evaluates your pet’s overall health and rules out any underlying issues contributing to skin problems.
- Diet Trial A limited-ingredient or hypoallergenic diet to determine whether your pet has a food allergy.
For more complex cases of allergies, we partner with a reference lab to perform specialized pet allergy testing. This testing pinpoints specific allergens and creates a more targeted treatment plan to manage your pet’s condition.
Soothing pet dermatology treatments for skin issues.
Once we’ve identified the cause of your pet’s allergies or skin issues, we’ll work with you to develop a treatment plan. Depending on your pet’s specific condition, treatments may include:
- Medications like antihistamines to control allergic reactions or treat infections.
- Steroids Used to reduce inflammation and relieve severe itching or allergic reactions.
- Topical Treatments Creams, ointments, or shampoos to soothe irritated skin and promote healing.
- Allergy Injections Allergy shots for pets, such as Cytopoint®, reduce symptoms of chronic allergies.
- Supplements Supplements can support healthy skin and reduce inflammation.
- Prescription Diets A prescription diet designed for pets with food sensitivities.
- Lifestyle Changes In some cases, changes to your pet’s environment or food reduce exposure to allergens, making a big difference in managing their condition.
Our mission is to relieve your pet’s skin discomfort quickly and provide ongoing care to prevent flare-ups in the future.
Pet dermatology leads to renewed skin health.
Allergies and skin conditions can be frustrating for both pets and their owners. If you suspect that your pet has an allergy or is showing signs of a skin condition like a hot spot, we provide expert diagnosis and treatment to get your pet feeling their best again. Schedule a dermatology consultation for your pet’s skin today. If your pet is in distress, we have same-day urgent care and walk-in appointments available. Call us! Together, we can restore your furry friend’s comfort and health.
Shiland Animal Hospital offers testing and treatment for allergies and skin conditions in cats and dogs in Rock Hill, Fort Mill, York, Lancaster, Chester, Indian Land, York County, and Lancaster County, SC, as well as Pineville, NC and the greater Charlotte, NC area.
