Allergies in dogs and cats tends to manifest with itching. Itching is the result of either parasites or allergies. If your pet is itchy and parasites have been ruled out, then it is the result of allergies. Generally patients tend to be allergic to more than one allergen and it is when an allergen threshold is passed, that the itching manifests itself.
What could my pet be allergic to?
• If the itching is above the tail base in dogs and cats- a flea allergy is very likely. You do not need to see fleas. A single flea bite in a pet allergic to fleas, can result in up to 2 weeks of itching.
• In cats, if there are lesions on the face, it is likely there is a strong food allergy component.
• If the itching is seasonal it likely not a food allergy.
• Dogs who lick the bottom of the feet tend to be allergic to environmental allergens.
• Most pets are allergic to multiple allergens.
• In cats, if there are lesions on the face, it is likely there is a strong food allergy component.
• If the itching is seasonal it likely not a food allergy.
• Dogs who lick the bottom of the feet tend to be allergic to environmental allergens.
• Most pets are allergic to multiple allergens.
Food Allergies
Can a pet be allergic to a food we have always fed? Yes- allergies occur when the body is exposed to a harmless pollen grain, mite, protein etc... and it reacts by producing antibodies to it because it suspects it is something harmful. So at the first exposure, the antibodies are produced and then at subsequent exposures, the reaction of the antibodies to a harmless substance, is what causes the allergic reaction. Pets can develop allergies at any time.
To test for food allergies, changing brands is not enough. Many foods contain similar items. For example a food can be sold as "Lamb and Rice" and yet contain traces of chicken for example. To test for food allergies, one has to feed a prescription hypoallergenic diet (which has an unusual "novel" protein or hydrolyzed protein. This has to be fed exclusively for 3 months and watch for lack of allergic reaction.
Can a pet be allergic to a food we have always fed? Yes- allergies occur when the body is exposed to a harmless pollen grain, mite, protein etc... and it reacts by producing antibodies to it because it suspects it is something harmful. So at the first exposure, the antibodies are produced and then at subsequent exposures, the reaction of the antibodies to a harmless substance, is what causes the allergic reaction. Pets can develop allergies at any time.
To test for food allergies, changing brands is not enough. Many foods contain similar items. For example a food can be sold as "Lamb and Rice" and yet contain traces of chicken for example. To test for food allergies, one has to feed a prescription hypoallergenic diet (which has an unusual "novel" protein or hydrolyzed protein. This has to be fed exclusively for 3 months and watch for lack of allergic reaction.
Veterinary Dermatologists tend to rank allergies in three categories, in this order:
• Fleas
• Food
• Environmental allergens
All allergic pets should be on good quality effective flea control. Should this not resolve the situation and food allergy is suspected, a hypoallergenic food trial can be conducted and lastly if all else fails, an allergy test can be peformed (skin test or blood test) in order to formulate injections for desensitization. Injections for desensitization can result in a cure but can also be frustrating. Approximately half of patients respond to desensitization, it can take anywhere between 1-10 months to see results and the itching can get worse before it gets better. Hence those are best handled by a veterinary dermatologist.
• Food
• Environmental allergens
All allergic pets should be on good quality effective flea control. Should this not resolve the situation and food allergy is suspected, a hypoallergenic food trial can be conducted and lastly if all else fails, an allergy test can be peformed (skin test or blood test) in order to formulate injections for desensitization. Injections for desensitization can result in a cure but can also be frustrating. Approximately half of patients respond to desensitization, it can take anywhere between 1-10 months to see results and the itching can get worse before it gets better. Hence those are best handled by a veterinary dermatologist.
While tackling the allergy, how can I stop the itching?
• It is important to be on flea control at all times and ensure any secondary bacterial or yeast infections are treated. Those secondary bacterial and yeast infections can also cause itching.
• If the allergy is very mild, antihistamines like benadryl can help- one mg per pound of body weight every 8 hours.
• In most cases this is not enough and we need more effective allergy medication. Apoquel tablets have been found to be effective. Alternatively Cytopoint injections have become very popular and can last anywhere between 4-8 weeks. In some severe cases, a combination of both apoquel and cytopoint is required or immunosuppresive drugs such as cyclosporine may provide relief.
• If the allergy is very mild, antihistamines like benadryl can help- one mg per pound of body weight every 8 hours.
• In most cases this is not enough and we need more effective allergy medication. Apoquel tablets have been found to be effective. Alternatively Cytopoint injections have become very popular and can last anywhere between 4-8 weeks. In some severe cases, a combination of both apoquel and cytopoint is required or immunosuppresive drugs such as cyclosporine may provide relief.