If you have ever had seasonal allergies or a rash after being exposed to an allergen, you know just how uncomfortable it can be. Unfortunately, our furry friends can also suffer from these same types of allergic reactions. If your pet displays symptoms such as excessive licking, compulsive scratching, gnawing on a specific body part, or respiratory problems, allergies might be at play. At Pavilion Pet Crossing in Riverview, Florida, we offer allergy testing for cats and dogs to find the underlying cause for your pet’s symptoms and help them get relief.
Potential pet allergens
Pets can have allergies due to food or environmental factors, or both. Some of the most common cat and dog allergens include:
- Wheat
- Dairy
- Egg
- Chicken
- Beef
- Lamb
- Soy
- Pork
- Fleas
- Dust mites
- Molds
- Pollens (due to trees, flowers, grasses, and weeds)
Pet allergy testing: what to expect
At Pavilion Pet Crossing, we provide allergy testing that is tailored to your pet’s specific symptoms. If your pet is experiencing skin allergies, we may recommend a simple blood or serum allergy test. That is the most common form of pet allergy testing because it is convenient and less time-consuming than skin allergy tests. A blood allergy test can detect a wide array of allergens in our geographic area, including pollens, molds, and dust, as well as common pet food allergens.
Request an Appointment
Food elimination tests may also help identify the specific allergens causing your pet’s discomfort or behavioral symptoms. During a pet elimination diet, you feed your pet only specific ingredients for at least two weeks. We typically recommend feeding your pet one protein and one carbohydrate in a 50:50 ratio for the duration of the elimination diet. That can be accomplished by either making food at home or feeding your pet high-quality commercial food containing only one protein and one carbohydrate.
Schedule your pet’s allergy consultation today
The team at Pavilion Pet Crossing knows just how much allergies can affect your pet’s quality of life, and we are here to help. Once allergens are identified through testing, we will work with you to eliminate those allergens from your pet’s environment or provide therapies that can help treat their symptoms. Call (813) 670-8881 to schedule your pet’s allergy consultation at our Riverside, FL office today!
Share this Article
Dr. Keshava Eega
Pavilion Crossing Animal Hospital
Dr. Keshava Eega moved to the United States in 2003 to further his passion for practicing high-quality and modern veterinary medicine in a challenging environment. Having graduated from the College of Veterinary Science in Hyderabad, India, he then completed his Master’s in Animal Science and the North American Veterinary Licensing Exam in 2006. Dr. Eega then completed his clinical rotations at the Louisiana State University, School of Veterinary Medicine and subsequently obtained his license to practice Veterinary Medicine in the state of Florida. Dr. Eega possesses thirteen years of experience in corporate practice in Orlando as both an Associate Veterinarian and a Lead Doctor. Through the course of his tenure, he has gained vast and widespread experience and exposure in both the practice of high-quality veterinary medicine and soft tissue surgeries. He also possesses professional interests in preventive care, senior pet care, skin cases, nutrition, behavior and wellness exams, particularly for both cats and dogs. Dr. Eega also possesses Fear Free certification which enables him to rid pets, owners and even veterinary health care teams of fear, stress, and anxiety. Hence, in the hands of Dr. Eega, you can be assured that your pet receives modern, customized care in a comfortable environment!