Can Dogs & Cats Really Have Allergies ?
Yes ........
Dogs and Cats, just like humans, can have allergies. More than 30% of all skin irritations in these animals can be attributed to allergies.
An allergic reaction is one in which an individual reacts to a normal substance in the environment. These substances are called allergens and include, pollens, molds, animal hair, house dust, fleas, foods and many more. Allergens cause reactions through skin contact, inhalation or ingestion. Allergic animals possess IgE antibodies to specific allergens. These antibodies cause biochemical changes in the body which produce signs of allergy.
How does an animal show signs of allergy?
While the causes of allergies in humans and animals are the same, the clinical signs displayed by the allergies may differ. In humans the classic signs of allergy are nasal and respiratory symptoms. In animals however, it is far more common to show signs of skin irritations with intense itching. Cats often show more signs of respiratory distress (as in humans) than dogs. The classic signs of an allergic animal begin with scratching, feet licking and chewing and face rubbing. As the allergies become more severe, the chewing may eventually lead to bacterial skin problems, although it is not uncommon for them to cause vomiting and diarrhea.
How can I have my pet's allergies diagnosed?
After a thorough examination, our vet will decide if allergy testing is indicated for your pet. Having ruled out other maladies, a small sample of blood may be drawn and submitted to Spectrum Labs for a diagnostic evaluation. There, your pet's serum will be tested for sensitivity to inhalant's such as trees, grasses, weeds and shrubs, fungi, house dust and mites, as well as for a host of food types used as ingredients in commercial dog and cat food preparations.
What about treatment for my pet's allergies?
The best form of treatment for allergies is avoidance of the offending allergen/s. In most cases however, this is not possible. Steroid drugs are often used for short term relief of symptoms, but prolonged use of steroids can have serious side effects. Hyposensitization is another alternative. In this case, treatment sets are formulated for your pet based on its allergy test results. The treatment (injections) are given in increasing concentrations. This builds the tolerance of the animal to the offending allergen/s so the animal can live more comfortably in its environment ... without any side effects.
How effective is this form of treatment?
Some allergies dissipate with time and treatment. In other cases animals may require continued "allergy shots" to maintain tolerance to the allergens in question. With adherence to the treatment schedule, one can expect an excellent chance of elimination of or reduced dependence on steroid drugs. Improvement in most cases is seen after 3-5 months of treatment, at which stage shots are given monthly.
Sincedogs & cats cannot be hypersensitized to foods, eliminaion is the only form of treatment in the case of food allergies.
Are there any dangers involved?
Adverse reactions are extremely rare, and any reactions if they do occur, should only be temporary and non-life threatening.
When would I see allergy symptoms in my pet?
This depends on the cause of the animal's allergy problems. If it has an allergy to pollens, you might see all or more symptoms in the spring or summer. If, however, it has a problem with indoor substances, such as house dust or mites, or food related allergies, you are more likely to see year round allergies.
