Pet Allergies: Identifying Common Symptoms and Treatment Options

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Pet Allergies: Identifying Common Symptoms and Treatment Options

Pet allergies can be a frustrating and uncomfortable experience for both pets and their owners. As a pet owner, it’s important to be able to recognize the common symptoms of allergies in pets and seek proper treatment. Wesson Animal Clinic is dedicated to providing comprehensive care for pets with allergies. In this blog post, we will discuss common symptoms of pet allergies and the various treatment options available at Wesson Animal Clinic.

Common Symptoms of Allergies in Pets

Pets can experience a range of symptoms when suffering from allergies. These can include:

Itching and scratching

Allergies can cause pets to feel itchy, resulting in excessive scratching, biting, and licking.

Red, irritated skin

As a result of excessive scratching, pets may develop red, irritated, and inflamed skin.

Ear infections

Allergies can cause ear infections in pets, which can result in symptoms such as head shaking, ear scratching, and discharge.
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Respiratory issues

Pets with allergies may experience respiratory issues such as sneezing, coughing, and wheezing.

Gastrointestinal issues

Allergies can also cause pets to experience diarrhea, vomiting, and loss of appetite.

Treatment for Pet Allergies at Wesson Animal Clinic

At Wesson Animal Clinic, our veterinarians are trained to provide a variety of treatment options for pets with allergies. These include:

Medications

Our veterinarians may prescribe medications such as antihistamines, steroids, or antibiotics to help alleviate symptoms and prevent infections.

Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy involves giving your pet small doses of the allergen to help desensitize their immune system over time. This can be an effective long-term solution for managing allergies.

Allergy testing

We offer comprehensive allergy testing to identify the specific allergens that are causing your pet’s symptoms. This allows us to create a customized treatment plan that targets the specific allergens affecting your pet.

Dietary changes

Some pets may be allergic to certain ingredients in their food. Our veterinarians can recommend dietary changes to help alleviate symptoms.

Comprehensive Pet Care At Wesson Animal Clinic in Mobile, Alabama

Pet allergies can be a frustrating experience for both pets and their owners. However, with proper care and treatment, it’s possible to manage and alleviate symptoms. At Wesson Animal Clinic, we are committed to providing comprehensive care for pets with allergies. If your pet is experiencing symptoms of allergies, we encourage you to schedule an appointment with one of our veterinarians to discuss the best treatment options for your pet.
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Pet Dental Month: Common Dental Issues In Dogs

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Pet Dental Month: Common Dental Issues In Dogs

As pet owners, we all want our dogs to be happy and healthy. One important aspect of canine health is dental care. Unfortunately, dental issues are common in dogs and can lead to serious health problems if left untreated. In this blog post, we will discuss the most common dental issues in dogs and what you can do to prevent and treat them.

Dental Issues That Dogs Commonly Experience

Periodontal disease

This is the most common dental issue in dogs. It occurs when plaque and tartar build up on the teeth and gums, leading to inflammation and infection. Symptoms include bad breath, yellow or brown teeth, swollen gums, and difficulty eating. If left untreated, periodontal disease can lead to tooth loss, bone damage, and even systemic infections. Prevention is key, and regular brushing and professional cleanings can help prevent this disease.

Broken teeth

Dogs love to chew on things, and sometimes that can lead to broken teeth. This can happen from chewing on bones, rocks, or other hard objects. A broken tooth can be painful and lead to infection. If you notice a broken tooth, it is important to take your dog to the vet for evaluation and treatment. In some cases, the tooth may need to be extracted.

Abscesses

An abscess is a pocket of pus that forms due to infection. In dogs, abscesses can occur in the gums, teeth, or jaw. Symptoms include swelling, pain, and difficulty eating. Abscesses can be caused by untreated dental issues such as periodontal disease or broken teeth. Treatment typically involves draining the abscess and administering antibiotics.
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Malocclusion

This occurs when a dog’s teeth do not align properly, leading to bite problems and potential dental issues. Malocclusion can be genetic or due to injury. Symptoms include difficulty eating, drooling, and teeth grinding. In some cases, treatment may involve orthodontic intervention or extractions.

Oral tumors

While not as common as the other dental issues on this list, oral tumors can occur in dogs and require prompt attention. Symptoms include swelling, bleeding, and difficulty eating. Treatment will depend on the type and severity of the tumor, but may involve surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy.
Prevention is key when it comes to dental issues in dogs. Regular brushing, professional cleanings, and avoiding hard objects that can break teeth can help keep your dog’s teeth and gums healthy. Additionally, feeding your dog a healthy diet and providing dental chews or toys can help remove plaque and tartar buildup.
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Comprehensive Dental Care At Wesson Animal Clinic

If you notice any signs of dental issues in your dog, it is important to take them to the vet as soon as possible. Your vet can evaluate the issue and recommend a course of treatment to prevent further damage and ensure your dog’s overall health and wellbeing. At Wesson Animal Clinic, we are committed to providing the best possible dental care for your companion. Contact us today to schedule an appointment or for more information on canine dental health!

How You Can Change a Pet’s Life Through Adoption

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How You Can Change a Pet's Life Through Adoption

January 24th is National Change a Pet’s Life Day, a day established to raise awareness about the needs of animal shelters and the animals living in them. One of the primary messages of the day is intended to encourage prospective pet owners to adopt, rather than shop.

5 Reasons to Adopt Your Next Pet From an Animal Shelter

1. You Save More Than One Life

When you adopt an animal from a shelter, you save your pet from the possibility of euthanasia. Additionally, you create an open space in the local animal shelter where another pet can find safety, care, and the potential for finding a loving forever home.

2. You Bring Home Unconditional Love

After spending time living in an animal shelter, your new pet will greatly appreciate the home, attention, and comfort that you provide. As a result, you’ll bond quickly and have a new best friend to love you unconditionally for life.

3. Adopting Costs Less

Shelter fees are almost always much less costly than the price of purchasing a pet from a breeder. Depending on the breed of puppies or kittens for sale, some pets can cost thousands. Whereas, pet adoption fees at animal shelters typically run between $50 and $100.
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4. Shelter Pets Come With Their Veterinary Care

When you adopt a pet from a shelter, the fee is not only less but you’re also getting more. Animal shelters provide their residents with the basics of wellness and preventative veterinary care. The pet you adopt will likely already have had the vaccinations and parasite preventatives that they need in addition to having been spayed or neutered.

5. Combat Unethical Breeding Facilities

Additionally, when you pay an adoption fee to an animal shelter, you can rest easy knowing that your money is going to support a good cause and not an unethical breeding facility like a puppy mill.
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More Ways You Can Change a Pet's Life

Pet ownership is a big responsibility, and if you’re not quite ready to bring a new pet into your life just yet, you can still help to change pets’ lives for the better. You can help local animals in need by donating your money, time, or spare pet supplies to local animal shelters and by helping to spread the word about the importance of adopting instead of shopping.

Establish Your New Pet's Care at Wesson Animal Clinic in Mobile

If you plan to adopt a new pet, we welcome you to establish care at Wesson Animal Clinic. We provide high-quality, comprehensive veterinary care and tailor our recommendations to meet each individual pet’s unique needs. To learn more or schedule your pet’s first appointment with Dr. Wesson, we welcome you to contact our office today.
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Pet Cancer Awareness Month: What You Should Know About Early Detection at Wesson Animal Clinic

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Pet Cancer Awareness Month: What You Should Know About Early Detection at Wesson Animal Clinic

Did you know that approximately 33% of dogs and 20% of cats will develop cancer in their lifetimes? November is pet cancer awareness month. At Wesson Animal Clinic, we like to use the opportunity to help raise awareness about cancer in pets and the importance of early detection.
While veterinary medicine has come a long way, in terms of treating cancer in pets, early detection is still key to fighting cancer, slowing the progression of disease, and effectively managing a pet’s symptoms. As is the case in humans, the earlier cancer is diagnosed and treatment is begun, the greater the chances of recovery.

Be Aware of Cancer Risk Factors

Some pets are more likely to develop cancer than others. For example, not being spayed or neutered, obesity, elderly age, gender, breed, diet, environmental factors, and feline leukemia can all increase a pet’s risk of developing cancer.
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Know the Signs of Cancer in Pets

Signs and symptoms of cancer in pets include:
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Lumps or bumps that grow or change
  • Distended abdomen
  • Unexplained weight loss
  • Persistent vomiting and/or diarrhea
  • Unexplained bleeding
  • Wounds that won't heal
  • Cough
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Lameness
  • Lethargy
  • Difficulty urinating or defecating
  • Persistently or unusually bad breath
If you notice any of the above-listed symptoms or any other changes to your pet’s behavior, appearance, appetite, or energy level, we recommend scheduling a veterinary examination as soon as possible.

Ask About Early Detection Pet Cancer Screening

While symptoms of cancer can prompt a thorough physical examination, they, in many cases, do not appear until a disease is fairly advanced. As a result, relying solely on the appearance of symptoms can result in a late diagnosis and less effective treatment outcomes.
Advanced cancer screening techniques are now available for dogs that allow us to use a simple blood test or aspiration to look for some of the earliest signs of cancer in pets, and we recommend this screening for pets that belong to high-risk groups. These tests cannot yet diagnose cancer or determine the type of cancer present in a pet, but they can detect early signs of cancer that inform a veterinarian as to whether or not further diagnostic testing is necessary.
In addition to these new cancer screening tests, there are a variety of traditional diagnostic tests that can be used to screen pets for potential signs of cancer such as diagnostic imaging and routine blood work.
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Pet Cancer Screening at Wesson Animal Clinic

To learn more about cancer screening or to schedule an appointment for your dog or cat, we welcome you to contact Wesson Animal Clinic today.