Allergies & Dermatology

Is your pet’s itchy skin keeping you both up at night?

There are several factors that can affect a companion animal’s skin, and the symptoms can range from minor to severe. You don’t want your best friend to suffer and neither do we! 

At Winchester Veterinary Clinic, we work hard at listening to your concerns and observations so that we can determine the source, or sources, of your pet’s scratching, be it parasites or allergies.

Signs of a possible skin problem include:

• Excessive scratching
• Scabbing or flaking of the skin
• Hot spots
• Shedding more than usual
• Biting, chewing or licking at the affected area
• Bumps or lumps on or under the skin

If you notice any of these signs, it’s time to give Winchester Veterinary Clinic a call. We can help your pet live a more comfortable life.

Diagnosing the Problem

To help your pet feel better, we must first determine precisely what’s causing the problem. We may be able to pinpoint the problem by examining your pet, or we may need to investigate further. Blood work, skin scrapings and biopsies help us get the answers we need to move forward with a cure.

Some dermatological concerns we routinely assist with include:

• Allergies (food, environmental, and/or contact)
• Infections (acute or chronic)
• Parasites
• Dermatitis
• Hormonal disorders
• Autoimmune diseases
• Tumors
• Skin cancer

Developing a Treatment Plan

Once we’ve diagnosed the problem, or problems, the next step is deciding how to best treat it. Depending on the situation, we may recommend something as simple as applying a topical cream. More complex or severe conditions may call for a longer-term strategy or involve a combination of treatment methods. 

Possible long-term strategies may include:

• Apoquel
• Cytopoint 
• Allergy shots or oral drops
• Prescription shampoos and mousses
• Prescription hypoallergenic diets
• Creams, ointments, or gels

At Winchester Veterinary Clinic, we understand how frustrating and expensive your pet’s allergic conditions can be.  We will work hard to find solutions to help control or resolve the dermatologic issue(s), providing comfort for you and your pet, while keeping both your wallet and lifestyle in mind.