Pet Allergy Testing & Treatment in Altamonte Springs, FL, From Your Local Vet

Petfolk Veterinary & Urgent Care - Altamonte Springs is a vet in Altamonte Springs, FL, that tests for and treats allergies in dogs and cats. If your pet licks their paws, scratches their ears or chews their skin, an allergy is a likely cause. The vet will find out what kind, ease the itch now and plan for the months ahead.

Allergies rarely go away, but they can be controlled well. The goal is a pet who sleeps through the night instead of scratching.

Itchy pet? Call (407) 707-8525 or book online.

What are the signs of allergies in pets?

Watch for:

• licking or chewing paws, often with rusty brown stains on light fur;

• scratching ears, head shaking or repeat ear infections;

• red skin on the belly, armpits or groin;

• hot spots, scabs or thinning fur;

• scooting or licking under the tail;

• in cats, overgrooming that leaves bald patches, or small scabs around the head and neck;

• vomiting or loose stool along with itching, which can point to food.

What kinds of allergies do pets get?

The vet sorts allergies into three main groups:

• Flea allergy. One bite can set off days of itching in a sensitive pet. Steady flea prevention is the first fix, even for indoor cats.

• Environmental allergy. Pollen, grasses, mold and dust mites cause it. In warm, humid places it can last much of the year.

• Food allergy. A reaction to a protein in the diet, often beef, chicken or dairy. It causes year-round itching and sometimes stomach upset.

Many itchy pets also have a skin or ear infection on top of the allergy. Treating that infection is often what brings the fastest relief.

Before the visit, keep a simple itch diary for a week or two: when the scratching is worse, what your pet ate, and any new shampoo, bedding or cleaner at home. It often points straight at the cause.

How does the vet test for allergies?

First comes a full exam and a look at the skin under a microscope to check for mites, yeast and bacteria. To confirm a food allergy, the vet uses an elimination diet: a prescription food fed alone for about eight weeks. For environmental allergies, a blood test can show which pollens, molds or mites your pet reacts to. Those results can guide allergy shots or drops made for your pet.

Across Petfolk, from October 2025 to September 2026, 86% of allergy testing and immunotherapy orders were for dogs. About six in ten testing orders were a combined package that pairs the test with the treatment that follows.

Treatment that fits your pet

Depending on the cause, the plan can include:

• anti-itch medicine to give relief within days;

• medicated shampoos, wipes or ear cleaners;

• antibiotics or antifungals for a skin or ear infection;

• a prescription diet for a food trial;

• allergy shots or drops for long-term control;

• year-round flea prevention.

You'll get an estimate before any test or treatment. The final bill can differ if the plan changes during the visit. Many medicines and diets come from the on-site pharmacy, so you leave ready to start.

My dog had an allergic reaction to medicine (from a different vet) and they took her in right away.

leah, Google review

Gentle care for itchy, sore pets

Itchy skin can be painful to touch. The team uses Fear Free handling, with treats, slow movements and short breaks, so an exam does not turn into a struggle. You go straight to a private exam room, which also keeps a nervous pet calmer.

When a reaction is more than itching

Sudden swelling of the face, hives or a bee sting reaction can be seen the same day at the clinic. If your pet's face swells and they struggle to breathe, collapse or vomit over and over, go to a 24-hour emergency hospital such as VEG Winter Park at 1490 W Fairbanks Ave.

Start allergy care in Altamonte Springs

Petfolk Veterinary & Urgent Care - Altamonte Springs is at 999 N State Rd 434, Suite 1010, Altamonte Springs, FL 32714. Call (407) 707-8525. Allergies often show up as skin conditions in Altamonte Springs and ear infections in Altamonte Springs.

Book a visit at Petfolk Veterinary & Urgent Care - Altamonte Springs, or see all veterinary services in Altamonte Springs.