Choosing the Best Medicine for Cat Allergy Problems

The types of medicine for cat allergy available are numerous, and choosing the best one may be difficult and time consuming. The best medicine for a cat with allergies will depend on several factors, including the source of allergies, the cat’s age, the severity of the symptoms and the way the cat responds to the medication. Some cats may do well with antihistamines, while others will respond better to allergy shots or holistic treatment.

Causes of Allergies in Cats

Cats may be allergic to a number of environmental factors, chemicals, materials they come in contact with or foods. Cats can be allergic to medicine such as prozac; amoxicillin for cats may also cause allergy symptoms.

Treatment Options for Cat Allergy Problems

The allergy symptoms may be relieved through the administration of antihistamines or corticosteroids. The steroids can also be used as ointments for skin rashes and swellings.

However, there is only one way to ensure your pet is no longer allergic: remove the allergen. If this is not possible, you may opt for allergy shots, which can diminish the irritation after a few months or years of administration. The drawback of allergy shots is that they start to be effective only after 1 to 6 months of administration. Meanwhile, the cat must receive some alternative treatment.

In the case of food allergies, the elimination of the ingredient is important, as there is no medication to treat food allergies. If the cat has contact allergies, determine the material he is allergic to and eliminate this from the cat’s environment.

Holistic treatment is also available and focuses on boosting the cat’s immune system, as the allergies affect cats with a weak immune system.

Finding the Best Medicine

Finding the best feline medicine for your allergic cat may take some time; if the vet opts for antihistamines, he may prescribe a few different types before settling on one that is the most suitable. The cat’s reaction to medication cannot be predicted, as each cat reacts differently, so medication trials will be needed.

Antihistamines should also be rotated every 3 months. After that time, the cat can develop immunity to the drugs and will no longer respond, so the allergy symptoms are likely to reoccur. Some cats may only require a seasonal cure of antihistamines. These cats typically experience allergies to pollens that are present in the spring.

Cat allergy injections may be the best treatment option, but unfortunately, around 25% of cats don’t respond well to this type of therapy.

Corticosteroids can manage the allergy symptoms, reducing swelling and healing rashes. However, a lengthy administration of steroids can lead to the occurrence of side effects that may be as severe as kidney or liver damage. Steroids may not be the best choice for allergy management, with the side effects being more serious than the allergy symptoms. Steroids can be administered periodically. A single dose of steroids can be effective in relieving allergy symptoms in some cats.

Consult your vet, determine the source of allergies and how severe the allergies in your pet are, and then get the medication that will be suitable for your cat.

 

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