Allergies & Dermatology

Itchy, irritated skin can make your pet feel restless and uncomfortable, leaving them anxious and frustrated. You might notice excessive scratching, licking, or difficulty settling down for a restful sleep. Over time, these issues can affect not just their comfort, but also their mood, behavior, and overall joy.

At Luv-N-Care Animal Hospital of Windermere, we offer advanced allergy and dermatology treatments designed to relieve discomfort and restore your pet’s health and happiness.  With proper dermatology care, most skin and allergy conditions can be effectively managed, allowing your pet to enjoy daily life without discomfort.

Common skin & allergy issues we treat include:

• Persistent itching and scratching
• Hot spots and skin infections
• Hair loss and coat changes
• Redness, rashes, and bumps
• Chronic ear infections
  

Cutting-Edge Allergy Relief Options

Our dermatology services combine allergy testing, skin scrapings, cytology, and personalized treatment plans with advanced, cutting-edge therapies. Care may include medications, prescription diets, topical treatments, or other targeted options designed to restore skin health and reduce recurrence. By addressing both symptoms and root causes, we help pets feel comfortable and more relaxed every day.

Cytopoint for Dogs

Cytopoint is a safe, monthly in-hospital injection designed to stop the itch at its source. Cytopoint uses specially designed proteins (called antibodies) to target and block problem singles causing itchiness.  In particular, Cytopoint blocks a signal called IL-31, which is the chemical that tells a dog’s brain “I’m itchy.” By shutting down that signal, Cytopoint helps pets feel relief quickly and naturally. 

Benefits for dogs include:

• Provides relief within 24 hours
• Reduces scratching, licking, and chewing
• It’s precise: it only targets the itch signal without affecting the whole immune system
• Long-lasting protection—one injection can control itch for 4–8 weeks
• Non-steroidal, making it safe for long-term use in dogs with fewer side effects than steroids
  

Cytopoint is currently approved for use in dogs only.

Apoquel for Dogs

Apoquel is an oral allergy tablet that you can give at home to help control itching and inflammation caused by allergies.  

Apoquel is not a steroid; it is a targeted oral medication that works by blocking specific enzymes involved in the allergic response to help calm the skin and reduce the urge to scratch.. By doing so, it reduces itching and inflammation without affecting the whole immune system like steroids do. 

It is approved for use in dogs only, and it is particularly effective for both seasonal allergies (like pollen or mold) and year-round triggers (such as dust mites or food sensitivities). 

The benefits for pets include rapid relief—often within hours—so your dog can rest, heal, and enjoy life without constant irritation. Because it works quickly and is taken orally, Apoquel allows pet owners to manage allergic flare-ups at home.

Heska Allergy Testing & Immunotherapy

Heska allergy testing is a blood test that identifies specific allergens causing your pet’s allergic reactions, including both environmental triggers (like pollen, grass, mold, and dust mites) and food ingredients. 

Based on the test results, a personalized immunotherapy plan can be created to help desensitize your pet to these allergens over time. By addressing the root cause of allergies rather than just the symptoms, Heska immunotherapy can help to provide long-term relief, reduce the need for medications, and improve your pet’s overall comfort and wellbeing. 

Heska therapy can be used for both dogs and cats, making it a versatile solution for chronic allergy management.

Book a dermatology and allergy consultation today and help your pet feel comfortable, healthy, and happy again.