Pet Allergy Testing
Katy, Texas
Pets in Houston/Katy, TX, can suffer from allergies, much like humans. At Blue Bear Veterinary Clinic, we specialize in identifying and treating pet allergies to significantly improve their quality of life.
Our Services
Common Pet Allergens and Symptoms
Allergic reactions in pets often stem from a variety of sources:
- Food Allergies: Common food allergens include proteins like beef and chicken, grains such as rice and wheat, soy, eggs, and various food additives, dyes, and preservatives.
- Environmental Allergies: Inhaled triggers like cigarette smoke, dander from other animals, perfumes, and household cleaning solutions can cause reactions.
- Skin Allergies: Irritants found in shampoos, pollen, grass, fleas, dust mites, insects, and parasites can lead to skin issues.
Our Allergy Services
- Skin Allergy Tests: Our approach to diagnosing skin allergies involves thorough examination and, when appropriate, serum testing to identify specific irritants like pollen or dust mites. We'll analyze the results to create a targeted management plan, helping to alleviate their discomfort.
- Serum Allergy Tests: Serum allergy testing is a blood test that measures the levels of specific antibodies (IgE) in your pet's blood. These antibodies are produced by the immune system in response to allergens. This blood test is highly effective for identifying environmental and skin allergens affecting your dog or cat.
- Itchy Pet Relief: Once allergens are identified, we focus on providing effective itch relief through various treatment options, from medication to environmental modifications.
- Allergy Treatment: Our clinic offers a range of pet allergy treatment options, tailored to your pet's specific needs, which may include immunotherapy, medications, or dietary changes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my pet have allergies? Pets can develop allergies due to a combination of genetic predisposition and environmental factors. Their immune system overreacts to substances that are typically harmless.
What are common pet allergens? Common allergens include certain food ingredients, environmental factors like pollen and dust mites, and external irritants such as flea bites or specific shampoos.
How is allergy testing done for dogs and cats? For serum allergy testing, a member of our vet team will take a small blood sample from your pet. This sample is then sent to a specialized lab for analysis to identify specific allergens.
Can you test my pet for food allergies? Direct food allergy testing is not commonly performed for animals. If a food sensitivity is suspected, we recommend a dietary elimination trial with a novel protein or hydrolyzed diet.
What are the symptoms of allergies in pets? Common symptoms include excessive scratching, licking, chewing, skin redness, hair loss, ear infections, paw licking, and sometimes gastrointestinal issues.
How can you help my pet with their allergies? Our team will identify the allergens and then develop a personalized plan, which may include allergy treatments, dietary recommendations, and environmental management strategies.
Is allergy testing expensive for pets? Do you offer affordable pet allergy testing? The cost of pet allergy testing can vary depending on the type of test and the extent of the investigation. We strive to provide transparent pricing and will discuss all costs with you upfront.
Veterinary Allergy Testing in Houston/Katy, TX
At Blue Bear Veterinary Clinic, we offer comprehensive veterinary allergy testing in Katy to help pinpoint the cause of your pet's discomfort.
For environmental and skin irritants, we primarily utilize a serum allergy test, which is a blood test. While food allergy testing is not as common for animals, if we suspect your pet has a food sensitivity, our animal allergy clinic in Katy will gladly recommend specialized diets free from common allergens.
Contact Blue Bear Veterinary Clinic at 281-631-5858 to request an appointment or schedule one online to schedule allergy testing for your pet’s health and happiness.