Beat the Fall Itch with Dr. Rachel Courville!
As the weather cools down, you might notice your pet scratching, licking, or chewing more than usual. Fall and winter allergies are real, and they can make your furry family members miserable!
Here’s a quick guide, brought to you by our very own Dr. Rachel Courville, to the most common causes of fall allergies and what you and your vet can do to help:
🐜 Flea Allergies - Even one flea bite can cause an allergic reaction! Nibbling, itching, rolling, twitching, and scratching?! An itchy pet can often mean fleas!
What to do:
Use a flea comb or look for “flea dirt.” If you’re worried it might be fleas, but can seem to track the pests down just give us a call or schedule an appointment, and we’ll do a thorough flea check for your pet at BLVD! Remember that if you think your pet may have fleas, you shouldn’t bring them around other pets.
Quick relief: Capstar (kills adult fleas fast). We can fill just the right dose for you at BLVD or you can also find it at your favorite local pet store. You’ll still need to address the eggs those adult fleas left behind, so that brings us to the next point.
Long-term prevention: Simparica Trio, Bravecto, or other vet-approved preventives year-round! (That’s right, fleas and their larvae can be found in your home 365 days a year!) Don’t forget to mark your calendars with a reminder to give your pet their prevention whether it’s a topical, chewable, or injection, it could save your pet from itch and irritation!
Important note: If your pet has a confirmed case of the fleas, you’ll want to do a couple of things along with treating them.
Treat your home for fleas. They love to live in warm nooks and crannies, and their eggs can adhere to soft porous materials pretty well. Launder all blankets and pet clothes, and use a spray like Knockout to treat flooring in each room (Read all flea spray labels thoroughly for directions and warnings.)
Keep an eye on their stools and possibly even bring in a sample for testing if you notice anything unusual. Ingesting fleas while grooming themselves is the number one cause of cats and dogs getting tapeworms! (Gross, yes, but we can help with that too, no problem!)
🍗 Food Allergies - Food sensitivities can sneak up slowly and sometimes mimic other skin conditions.
How we find them: A diet trial (2–3 months) to test new proteins and identify triggers. This can take a bit of dedication as you must also restrict treats to the same kind of trial protein, but it pays off in dividends when you find just what works for your pet!
Common culprits: Chicken and beef
Options:
Over-the-Counter Novel Protein Diets
Best for milder cases or picky eaters
Read those ingredient labels: proteins to try could include venison or rabbit
Prescription hydrolyzed diets (proteins that are broken down to avoid reaction)
These are ideal for pets with more severe symptoms
These will require a prescription; common brands we would recommend: Royal Canin HP, Purina Pro Plan HA, Royal Canin Ultamino, etc. Talk to your vet about these options at your next appointment!
Special Note: New food? Take it slow! Mix it in gradually over 7–10 days to help your pet’s tummy adjust without any bumps (or grumbles) along the way.
🌾 Environmental Allergies - Dust, pollen, and dander can all trigger itching!
If you suspect your pet is scratching and chewing due to an environmental allergy, we’d definitely recommend an appointment. A definitive diagnosis of environmental allergies can sometimes mean seeing a specialist, but have no fear, we can help guide you in the right direction!
Treatment options:
Symptom relief: Cytopoint injections or Apoquel tablets.
Root cause treatment: Allergy testing and immunotherapy (custom allergy shots or drops).
❤️ Our Approach: A Plan That Fits Your Pet
Every pet (and every family) is unique. We’ll work with you to create a customized allergy plan whether that’s quick relief, long-term management, or both!
Don’t let your pet suffer through the season! If you’ve noticed extra scratching, licking, or red skin, schedule an appointment today so we can help your best friend feel comfortable again.
Stay cozy & free from the itch,
Dr. Courville & the BLVD Vet Team
