Five Signs It May Be Time to See a Veterinary Dermatologist
While some skin irritation in pets can be minor, prolonged irritation can lead to larger problems. Severe allergies or diseases can lead to dangerous infections that require medical treatment. A specialist, called a veterinary dermatologist, is able to help cure skin ailments in your pet. Alum Rock Animal Hospital in San Jose will be able to diagnose your pet’s condition. Here are five signs it might be time to see a veterinary dermatologist.
1. Damaging Irritation - If your pet is excessively scratching or chewing at itchy areas of the body he or she can cause some serious damage. Broken skin can be a site for bacteria to enter the body causing infection. If you notice your pet's scratching has caused the skin to become scabbed or bloody it might be time to see a veterinary dermatologist.
2. Quality of Life - When your pet's scratching interrupts even basic functions, it is altering your pet's quality of life. Some scratching can become so severe that a pet will pause multiple times during a meal to scratch or even wake up at all hours of the night. If chewing and scratching at the paws and legs have become so excessive that your pet cannot run and play it is time to see the dermatologist.
3. Worsening - If your pet has a rash or irritation that appears to be getting worse with time there may be a bigger problem that requires medication. If the site of the rash begins to spread or appears to worsen in density it might be time to schedule an appointment.
4. Prolonged Symptoms - If symptoms persist for longer than a week it may be an indication of something more than a minor irritation. Often, dermatology issues can be cleared up quite quickly with the intervention of prescribed medication.
5. Spreading to other Pets - Some skin diseases can be contagious and spread to other animals. If you have multiple animals in your home and one exhibits symptoms of a skin disease it is suggested to quarantine your pet and seek veterinary care immediately.
Schedule an Appointment Today!
While pet skin allergies are certainly an annoyance for your pet they can end up being dangerous. Broken skin from constant scratching can lead to bacteria and infections entering the body. For excessive dermatology irritation, it is time to see a veterinary dermatologist. At Alum Rock Animal Hospital we are well versed in caring for skin allergies. We are conveniently located at 2810 Alum Rock Ave, San Jose, CA, 95127. Please call our office today at (408) 258-2735 to schedule an appointment with our dermatologist.