Beat the Itch at Kōwhai Vet

Hurrah! Spring is here! Longer days, warmer weather, what’s not to love? Unfortunately, as some of us know all too well, spring also brings the not-so-fun stuff like itchy throats, runny noses, and puffy red eyes. Just as hayfever plagues us humans, our pets might be facing their own allergy battles. Does your dog have a sudden obsession with chewing their paws, licking their tummy, or scratching their ears? Has your cat become particularly attentive to their grooming? These are all common signs of allergic skin disease in pets.

So what’s going on? Everyday allergens floating around in the air, lurking in your home, or even hiding in their food, start a chain of events that cause your pet's immune system to go into overdrive, sending it into battle against these (mostly) harmless allergens. This overzealous response leads to itching that can be downright miserable and distracting. If you've ever had an itch you couldn't scratch, you know the struggle is real. The sad truth is, there's usually no quick fix – just ask parents dealing with a child's eczema!

What causes these pesky pet allergies? Well, it's a bit of a puzzle with many pieces:

• Breed: Some breeds are more prone to allergies than others, thanks to genetics.
• Environment: Where your pet lives, walks, and what they're exposed to indoors and outdoors can play a role.
• Immune System: How well your pet's immune system handles allergens like pollen, food, grasses, mites, and parasites matters.
• Skin Microorganisms: Yes, your pet has tiny roommates on their skin, and when they get out of balance, trouble can brew.

To make matters more complicated, itchy pets often end up with an imbalance in their skin microorganisms (think bacteria and yeast). We call this “dysbiosis”. These critters that usually hang around in very low numbers not causing any mischief, start to overgrow taking over from the healthy skin flora. In larger numbers they start to contribute to more skin inflammation, which leads to more scratching and a vicious cycle of itchiness with a sad and uncomfortable furball in the middle of it all.

But fear not! At Kōwhai Vet, we have a special interest in pet dermatology, and we've got your back (and your pet's itch!). We take a multi-faceted approach to bring that relief:

• Itch & Inflammation Control: We have treatments to soothe the itch and reduce inflammation, giving your pet much-needed comfort.
• Nutrition Support: We look at diets and nutritional supplements that work from the inside out to support your pet's skin health.
• Skin Restoration: We have products to soothe the skin and help restore your pet's normal skin flora, helping it stay healthy from the outside.

Here's the scoop: When treating allergic pets, it’s crucial to remember that we are not likely to achieve a complete cure. And, there is likely to be some ongoing maintenance required at home to keep those itchy flare-ups at bay. But that doesn't mean all hope is lost! While it might feel like a minefield, we're here to make managing allergic skin disease as straightforward as possible. So, wave goodbye to those pet itch blues and say hello to a happier, more comfortable furry friend with the help of Kōwhai Vet! 🐶🐱