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Parkside Animal Hospital Parkside Animal Hospital

(705) 223‑3404 • North Bay, ON • parksidevet@gmail.com

  • Help for Allergies and Itchy Skin

    A happy dog on the beach

    Help for Allergies and Itchy Skin

    Surprisingly, one in every 10 pets is affected by food or environmental allergies, which can lead to a host of other issues for our furry family members. Additionally, insect bites can cause allergic reactions in some pets. Dr. Bertrand has a special interest in veterinary dermatology, and she will leave no stone unturned when it comes to pinpointing the source of your pet's discomfort.

    A beautiful long-haired cat in our office

    Know the Signs

    Your pet’s allergy symptoms can range from obviously irritated skin to subtle changes in behavior, such as excessive cleaning or licking.

    It’s important to contact us if you notice any of the following allergy symptoms in your cat or dog:

    • Itchy or irritated skin
    • Tummy problems (vomiting or diarrhea)
    • Swelling around the mouth and ears
    • Chronic ear infections
    • Anal gland issues
    • Pulling out their fur
    • Obsessively licking their feet

    Food Allergies

    When it comes to identifying food allergies in pets, owner compliance is paramount. Bloodwork is not a reliable indicator of food allergies in pets, which is why we follow a process at Parkside Animal Hospital that involves the systematic removal of common food allergens in the pet’s diet. It is through this careful trial and error that we can isolate the ingredient that is causing your pet’s discomfort.

    A german shepherd in the woods

    Environmental Allergies

    Because of our winters, many of our allergy patients get a break for a few months. To determine the cause of your pet's environmental allergens, we can take bloodwork for serum allergy testing.

    There are many things you can do to help your pets deal with the discomforts of environmental allergies, including bathing your dog once a week to remove the allergens, ear drops for preventive care, washing their paws when they come inside and, even putting t-shirts on them when they venture outdoors.

    Allergy shots (we can teach you how to administer them at home), topical treatments, dietary changes, and omega 3-6-9 supplements are all things we can try. All of our allergy serums are mixed off-site by board-certified dermatologists.

    If you have any reason to believe your pet may be suffering with a skin condition, our team is specially trained and ready to help. Give us a call.