This time of year we are always so happy to see the trees, flowers, and the grasses spring to life. So much beauty! Such a rebirth! So Many sneezes! Allergies affect us all, and that includes your feline friend. This time of year, we see many cats with sneezes and wheezes, watery eyes, itchy ears, and some with skin eruptions, all due to allergies. Yes, our furry felines suffer from allergies just like us.
Most cats are allergic to more than one thing. However it takes just one thing, for them to cross the allergy threshold and start to exhibit symptoms. Tree pollen, such as Maple is at a very high level right now. This high level may just be the thing needed to push an allergic cat into displaying symtoms. Even indoor cats get exposed to pollens through open doors and windows, or their owner, who has been outdoors all day.
Some cats get weepy eyes and sneeze just like us. Some even end up with secondary Herpes flare-ups from allergies. Some cats get very itchy ears with small red, itchy spots in that bald area just in front of their ears. Many cats who are sensitive to foods as well as pollens, can break with extensive skin disease. Since a cat is a natural self-groomer, this can lead to over-grooming, hair loss, and self-trauma.
We all suffer at varying levels during allergy season. When do you need to consult with us about you cat’s allergies? If your cat is not acting normally, ie lack of appetite, lethargy, or has colored discharge from the eyes or nose, we should be consulted. Any time your cat has areas of inflamed skin or seems unusually itchy, we should be consulted. Treatment is usually symptomatic just as in us humans. However, cats that have severe disease may need additional diagnostics and treatments to make them more comfortable.
If the allergies are mild, such as some sneezes, slightly watery eyes, or mildly itchy ears, we usually just wait for the weather to change and see if the symptoms subside. Cats are not complainers, so if they are not eating normally, or if symptoms persist, call for an appointment.
Most cats are allergic to more than one thing. However it takes just one thing, for them to cross the allergy threshold and start to exhibit symptoms. Tree pollen, such as Maple is at a very high level right now. This high level may just be the thing needed to push an allergic cat into displaying symtoms. Even indoor cats get exposed to pollens through open doors and windows, or their owner, who has been outdoors all day.
Some cats get weepy eyes and sneeze just like us. Some even end up with secondary Herpes flare-ups from allergies. Some cats get very itchy ears with small red, itchy spots in that bald area just in front of their ears. Many cats who are sensitive to foods as well as pollens, can break with extensive skin disease. Since a cat is a natural self-groomer, this can lead to over-grooming, hair loss, and self-trauma.
We all suffer at varying levels during allergy season. When do you need to consult with us about you cat’s allergies? If your cat is not acting normally, ie lack of appetite, lethargy, or has colored discharge from the eyes or nose, we should be consulted. Any time your cat has areas of inflamed skin or seems unusually itchy, we should be consulted. Treatment is usually symptomatic just as in us humans. However, cats that have severe disease may need additional diagnostics and treatments to make them more comfortable.
If the allergies are mild, such as some sneezes, slightly watery eyes, or mildly itchy ears, we usually just wait for the weather to change and see if the symptoms subside. Cats are not complainers, so if they are not eating normally, or if symptoms persist, call for an appointment.
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