Cat Allergies Treatment

Determining whether or not your cat has an allergy may be as simple as looking at some common symptoms associated with allergies. Since there are many different types of allergies that your cat can have, there will also be different symptoms to look for. Sometimes symptoms can be a bit confusing so it is always important to seek medical care for your pet if any symptoms are noticed. Only a vet can determine the real allergy that is affecting your cat by doing an examination and possibly running tests.

One of the most common symptoms associated with a flea allergy is excessive itching. This will cause your pet to scratch and bite a lot. Some cats are annoyed by the fleas themselves, but if the cat has an allergy to the fleas it means it will be allergic to the saliva of the flea and this will make the cat extremely uncomfortable. We all know that a flea bite can itch a lot but when there is a secondary reaction this makes the situation even worse. The cat will probably scratch or bite to the point of having hair loss, generally around the base of the tail or around his neck and face. If the cat scratches or bites too much it can break the skin and cause a bacterial infection as well.

Other symptoms to look for are vomiting, diarrhea, breathing problems and sinus congestion. These, along with skin rashes, can all be associated with food allergies. You may not think that your cat’s food could be causing these symptoms, especially if your cat has been eating the same type of diet for a long while, but it is not uncommon for a cat to develop a new allergy to a common ingredient.

Some symptoms that are extremely urgent are those associated with a reaction from a vaccination, antibiotic, hormones or insect bites. If you ever notice your pet having delayed breathing, lethargy, listlessness, breathing problems, trouble responding, extreme vomiting or a fast heartbeat you need to seek help right away. At times these reactions can cause an animal to go into shock, have heart failure, have respiratory failure or even result in death. Be sure to monitor your pet after any medication has been administered or after any vaccination in case of a reaction.

For other allergies, such as inhalant allergies caused by pollen, mold, mildew, weeds or grass, look for symptoms involving itching or problems around the nose and eyes. If you notice that your cat has a puffy face, a spot on the body that has become irritated, or a swollen throat you will want this to be checked immediately also. There is usually something that the animal has come in contact with that has caused a reaction. Often animals are allergic to certain bug bites and bee stings or it could be something as simple as a flea collar, but only a vet will be able to determine the underlying cause of your cat’s symptoms.