The constant scratching. The late-night licking. The reddened, irritated skin. If you’ve noticed these symptoms in your furry family member, we completely understand your concern and frustration. At East Hill Animal Hospital in Pensacola, we’ve seen countless pet parents walk through our doors worried about their itchy companions.
“I’ve tried everything,” they often tell us, with exhaustion in their voice. “She won’t stop scratching, and it’s hard for me to see her suffering anymore.”
We get it. Watching our pets struggle with allergies can be nerve-wracking, especially when the cause seems hard to pinpoint. The good news? We can help your pet find relief with advanced testing and personalized care.
When Your Pet’s Trying to Tell You Something
That constant paw-licking or ear-scratching isn’t just annoying—it’s your pet’s way of saying something’s wrong. Allergies in our four-legged friends often manifest through skin irritation, but they can also show up in other ways. Your dog might sneeze more than usual, or your cat might have watery eyes. Some pets develop recurring ear infections or digestive issues.
One of our golden retriever patients would rub his face against the carpet until it was raw. His owner thought he was just being playful until we discovered he was reacting to pollen during spring months.
Uncovering the Mystery: What’s Causing Those Allergies?
Like us, our pets can react to all sorts of things in their environment. The culprit might be seasonal pollen floating through your open windows, the dust mites in their favorite sleeping spot, or even an ingredient in their premium food.
We had a cat who suddenly developed skin issues after eight years. Our testing revealed an unexpected allergy to chicken—the main protein in the food she’d eaten her entire life. Bodies change, and sometimes allergies develop when we least expect them.
Even a flea bite can trigger an intense reaction in sensitive pets, leading to widespread discomfort that seems disproportionate to the cause. And some pets develop contact allergies to certain fabrics or cleaning products in your home.
Our Approach to Finding Answers
At East Hill, we don’t believe in guesswork regarding your pet’s comfort. That’s why we offer several testing options to get to the root of the problem.
For many pets, a simple blood test can reveal sensitivities to common environmental allergens and food ingredients. It’s quick, relatively stress-free, and gives us valuable information to start working with.
In more challenging cases, we recommend skin testing.
And when we suspect food allergies, we’ll guide you through an elimination diet to methodically identify the problematic ingredients.
Creating a Path to Comfort
Once we know what we’re dealing with, we’ll develop a personalized plan for your pet’s needs and lifestyle. This might include specially formulated diets, medications to relieve symptoms, or immunotherapy (allergy shots) that gradually desensitize your pet to its triggers.
Your Pet Deserves to Feel Better
If your pet shows signs of allergies, please don’t wait to seek help. The sooner we identify the problem, the sooner your furry family member can return to enjoying life—without the constant itching, scratching, and discomfort.
Give us a call at East Hill Animal Hospital at 850-437-9932. Together, we’ll help your pet find the relief they deserve.