It can be heartbreaking to watch your dog suffer from suspected food allergies, especially when you aren’t able to tell exactly what’s causing them. Adverse reactions to food are uncomfortable so it’s essential to get your pet the professional care it needs. The team at Montgomery Animal Hospital is one of the best resources in Cincinnati to help you navigate your dog’s dietary distress.

Make mealtimes enjoyable again with the following steps:

• Recognizing The Signs: Itchiness, licking the feet, rashes, gas, vomiting, and diarrhea are some of the most common indicators of dogs responding unfavorably to certain foods. If you notice these signs, getting veterinary care is crucial to determining whether the symptoms do actually point to food allergies. Many other illnesses can cause these same signs, so an accurate diagnosis is key to helping your pet. The doctors at Montgomery Animal Hospital will help you know what to look for.
• The Diagnostic Process: A thorough diagnosis of your dog’s food allergies can include a physical exam of those symptoms along with a detailed recording of diet exposure. The more foods your pet has been exposed to, the more difficult it will be to make a diagnosis – so please, DON’T try every food on the shelf before coming to the veterinarian! Usually, a closely monitored elimination diet is implemented to isolate the cause. These require cooperation from everyone in the household, since even a single unapproved treat can throw off the diet trail. Montgomery Animal Hospital provides an exceptional pet diagnostic service with its in-house laboratory, which allows for quick and efficient testing.
• The Plan Of Action: Once the testing and elimination process has identified the foods causing the allergies, learning how to live with the diagnosis without letting it compromise your dog’s quality of life is key. This involves discussing safe foods and possible supplements and devising a new meal plan that omits offending foods while still accommodating your pet’s nutritional needs. In line with their belief in personalized attention, this animal hospital offers nutritional consultations—including face-to-face and direct phone time with your veterinarian—to ensure that you’re well equipped with the education to manage your dog’s food intake on a daily basis.

With a staff full of pet owners, Montgomery Animal Hospital recognizes that your dog isn’t just another animal; it’s your best friend and a member of your family! If your dog is in need of comprehensive care, call Montgomery Animal Hospital at (513) 791-7912, or visit them online.

Photo credit Georgie Pauwels www.flickr.com