Here at MacDonald Veterinary Services, we work together to ensure both you and your pets have a pleasant and welcoming experience. We genuinely care about your pet’s wellbeing, and we strive to give you a clear understanding of your animal’s health care needs at every appointment. Besides happy owners, and healthy pets, our goal is to provide and establish a long lasting doctor-patient-client relationship.

May is Allergy and Asthma Awareness Month!

Allergies are the overreactivity of the immune system to certain allergens such as plant proteins, insects, animals, and food.  Your pet may display signs of itchy skin, watery eyes, nasal discharge, and sneezing.  Although eliminating the allergen is usually curative, we do have options to manage those bothersome symptoms for our pets.   Apoquel and Cytopoint are therapies available help to block specific chemical signals associated with itching.  Hydrolyzed protein diets are available for food allergy pets.  These diets break down the protein source to a level where the immune system doesn’t react to them and causes an allergy.

Asthma is an inflammatory response to inhalation of irritants.  This lower airway disease is more common in cats than dogs and affects about 1-5% of cats.  This disease is managed with bronchodilators or corticosteroids; but is rarely cured.

Allergies and asthma may mimic other disorders, so it is important to have your pet seen in order to determine the appropriate treatment protocol.

If you suspect your pet may have allergies or asthma, book an appointment today!