Just as allergies plaque many people, they also affect our pets.  August is the height of pet allergy season as the allergic response has been building all through the summer and the heat of August adds to the discomfort and the itchiness of seasonal allergies.  Below you will find information on the different types of allergies that affect pets, the signs that indicate an allergic reaction in your pet, and some practical ways for minimizing the severity of your pet’s allergic condition.

Flea Allergies

Causes

Flea allergies occur when your pet is hypersensitive to the saliva that a flea leaves behind when it bites your pet.  Pets with flea allergies do not necessarily have a visible “flea problem” because it only takes one or two flea bites to set off an allergic reaction lasting for many days.

Signs

 Dogs and cats suffering from food allergies can exhibit any combination of the following signs:

§         Itchiness/Scratching/Biting at Skin, especially at the base of the tail

§         Hair Loss, Particularly at the base of the tail in dogs and along the sides of cats

§         Visible Fleas

§         “Flea Dirt”—Tiny black specks like pepper flakes in your pet’s hair and on the skin

§         Irritability

§         Arthritis Flare-up

Diagnosos

Pets with flea allergies typically have a distinct pattern of itchiness, hair loss, and/or skin changes that can be identified on a physical examination.  A definitive diagnosis can be made by treating your pet with prescription strength flea control for two consecutive months.  If signs disappear or significantly improve, a flea allergy is the underlying cause for your pet’s problem.

Treatment

Flea allergies can be treated and the recurrence of signs prevented by applying one of the following prescription-strength flea products to your pet on a MONTHLY basis.  Most over-the-counter products that are sold at pet stores and groceries are simply not strong enough to kill every single flea and prevent the allergic reaction.

§         Vectra 3D (Kills fleas and ticks and mosquitos.  Repels fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes)  DOGS ONLY

§         Frontline Plus (Kills fleas and ticks.  Prevents flea eggs and larvae from developing)

§         Advantage Multi  (Kills fleas, ear mites and mange mites.  Prevents heartworm infection)

Atopy (Inhaled Allergen Allergies)

Causes

Dogs and cats can be allergic to almost all of the same allergens as people (except for pet dander).  Dust, mold, and pollen, are the most common allergens.  Atopic Allergies occur when your pet inhales the specific allergen(s) responsible for his/her allergies.  Atopy may be seasonal or non-seasonal and usually involves multiple allergens.

Signs

§         Itchy Skin

§         Incessant Licking at Feet (Itchy Feet)

§         Secondary Skin Infections (which may cause the following)

·         hair loss

·         crusty, scaly, or flaky skin lesions

·         reddened skin with raised welts

·         hyperpigmented (darkened) areas of skin

§         Recurrent Ear Infections

·         Reddened, itchy ears

·         Increased wax or discharge from ears

·         Odor associated with ears

§         Asthma (common sign in cats)—Signs of Asthma will very with severity

·         Wheezing

·         Rapid, Shallow Breathing

·         Coughing

·         Difficulty Breathing, Open Mouth Breathing, Blue Tongue/Gums

§         Nasal Discharge/Excessive Tearing

§         Sneezing

§         Hives or Welts

§         Facial Swelling, Particularly around the eyes and muzzle

Diagnosis

Clinical signs, a consistent history, and response to therapy will allow our doctors to make the diagnosis of an allergic condition.  Skin Scrapes may be used to rule out mites.  Skin and ear cytologies may be used to diagnose secondary infections.  After an allergic diagnosis is made, allergy testing can be performed if you would like to know which specific allergens are causing your pet’s problems. 

Allergy testing is the only way to definitively determine which allergen(s) your pet is reacting to.  There are a number of variables that determine when and how allergy testing is recommended.  If you are interested in allergy testing, talk to one of the doctors at Clermont Animal Hospital.  Skin allergy testing requires a referral to a veterinary dermatologist.  Blood testing for allergens is available through Clermont Animal Hospital, Inc.

Treatment

It is important to get all secondary infections under control using proper antibiotics/antifungals and proper monitoring as recommended by your veterinarian.  Many animals are more bothered by the secondary infection than by the primary allergy.  The allergy can be treated using one or more of the medications below.  Our Doctors will be happy to help you choose which remedies are best for your pet.

§         Allergy Shot

·         This is the only treatment that addresses the primary problem

·         This requires allergy testing to determine which antigens to include.

§         Antihistamines

·         This class of medication decreases the body’s response to the allergen

·         First line of treatment for hives or facial swelling.

·         Benedryl (Diphenhydramine) 1-2 mg per pound;  Give up to 3 times/day

·         Chlorepheniramine 4mg  

§         Dogs: ½  - 2 tablets; Give 2-3 times/day

§         Cats ¼ - ½ tablet; Give up to 3 times/day

§         Omega-3-Fatty Acids

·         This supplement makes skin more supple and more resistant to inflamation

·         Commercial Supplement Available through Clermont Animal Hospital

·         Major Component of Fish Oil Capsules

§         Buffered Aspirin—DOGS ONLY!!!  ALWAYS GIVE WITH FOOD!

·         This can decrease the discomfort and inflammation of an allergic reaction

·         5-15 pounds                  1 baby aspirin twice a day

·         15-30 pounds                 ½ adult aspirin OR 2 baby aspirin twice a day

·         30-50 pounds                 ¾ adult aspirin OR 3 baby aspirin twice a day

·         More than 50 pounds     1 adult aspirin twice a day

§         Oatmeal Shampoo

·         Soothes skin and decreases itchiness—Provides temporary relief

·         Removes allergens from hair coat to decrease exposure time

·         Be sure shampoo does not contain an detergents—these can remove the oils that naturally protect your pet’s skin from irritation.

·         Episoothe® Shampoo and Conditioner are oatmeal-based products available through Clermont Animal Hospital Inc.

§         Genesis Spray® (Available through Clermont Animal Hospital, Inc.)

·         This is a topical steroid spray.  It is the animal equivalent to cortisone cream

§         Steroids (injectable or oral)—only used in moderate to severe cases due to side effects

·         Decreases the body’s allergic response by suppressing inflammation.

·         Long-acting, short-acting, and oral forms are available

·         By prescription only

·         Side effects include increased drinking, increased urination, increased appetite, weight gain, immune suppression (increased risk of certain infections), and increased risk of certain diseases.

§         Bronchodilators

·         This class of drugs is used to treat asthmatic animals

·         Available by prescription only

Contact Allergies

Causes

Skin contact with an allergen will cause a contact-type allergic reaction.  For this reason, the feet, belly, groin, armpits, and the underside of the neck are the most common sites for contact allergies as these areas are exposed when your pet walks or lies on surfaces containing the allergen.  Dust, pollen, grass, chiggers, lawn treatments, and cleaning products are the most common substances to cause contact allergies.

Diagnosis

Same as for Atopy—See Above.

Signs

§         Itchy Skin, particularly on the feet, belly, groin, armpits, and the underside of the neck.

§         Incessant Licking at Feet (Itchy Feet)

§         Secondary Skin Infections (which may cause the following)

·         hair loss

·         crusty, scaly, or flaky skin lesions

·         reddened skin with raised welts

·         hyperpigmented (darkened) areas of skin

§         Hives or Welts

§         Facial Swelling, particularly of the muzzle.

Treatment

Same as for Atopy (except for bronchodilators)—See Above, with the following additions:

§         If possible, limit contact with known allergen.

§         If allergen is a seasonal, outdoor allergen, wipe feet and/or abdomen with a wet wipe or a washcloth after your pet comes in from outdoors to remove the allergen from the hair coat and prevent prolonged contact.

§         Use Pyoben Shampoo®, Malacetic Wipes®, (available through Clermont Animal Hospital, Inc.) or Stridex® pads to clean feet once a day or once every other day.

·         Provides deep cleaning to remove allergens

·         Minimizes bacteria and yeast that cause secondary infection

·         May be over-drying if used too frequently

Food Allergies

Causes

Most food allergies in dogs and cats are caused by common components in pet foods.  For some animals, the grain component causes the allergy (corn, wheat, etc.) while other animals are allergic to the protein source (beef, poultry, etc.).

Signs

Dogs and cats suffering from food allergies can exhibit any combination of the following signs:

§         Itchy Skin

§         Incessant Licking at Feet (Itchy Feet)

§         Recurrent Ear Infections

§         Periodic Vomiting, Especially Shortly After Eating

§         Chronic Diarrhea or Loose Stool

§         Excessive Gas

§         Poor Appetite

§         Thin Body Condition/Inability to Gain Weight

Diagnosis

Food allergies must be diagnosed by performing an 8-week diet trial.  Prescription allergen-free diets are available at Clermont Animal Hospital, Inc.  Animals on a diet trial must be fed ONLY that diet (no treats, table food, or food from other household pets) for a minimum of 8 weeks.  If your pet’s signs markedly improve during the trial, signs can be attributed to a food allergy.

Once a food allergy has been diagnosed, you may opt to treat your pet’s allergy by continuing to feed the prescription diet, or you may opt to determine exactly which components of commercial brand foods are causing the allergy by performing the following trial:

§         Continue feeding the prescription diet throughout the trial.  Do not allow your dog to eat ANY other foods (no treats, table food, or food from other household pets) except the prescription food and the trial item.

§         Add cooked boneless, skinless chicken to your pet’s diet for two weeks or until a reaction if seen. 

·         Look for any of the signs your pet was experiencing before the original diet trial. 

·         If no signs are seen within two weeks, your pet is most likely not allergic to poultry.  Proceed with the rest of the trial. 

·         If signs occur, stop feeding the chicken and feed only the prescription diet until all signs are completely resolved.  Only then can you proceed with the rest of the trial

§         Add boiled ground beef to your pet’s diet for two weeks or until a reaction is seen.

·         Look for any of the signs your pet was experiencing before the original diet trial. 

·         If no signs are seen within two weeks, your pet is most likely not allergic to beef.  Proceed with the rest of the trial. 

·         If signs occur, stop feeding the beef and feed only the prescription diet until all signs are completely resolved.  Only then can you proceed with the rest of the trial

§         Add whole wheat bread to your pet’s diet for two weeks or until a reaction if seen. 

·         Look for any of the signs your pet was experiencing before the original diet trial. 

·         If no signs are seen within two weeks, your pet is most likely not allergic to wheat.  Proceed with the rest of the trial. 

·         If signs occur, stop feeding the bread and feed only the prescription diet until all signs are completely resolved.  Only then can you proceed with the rest of the trial

§         Add canned or frozen corn to your pet’s diet for two weeks or until a reaction is seen.

·         Look for any of the signs your pet was experiencing before the original diet trial.  If no signs are seen within two weeks, your pet is most likely not allergic to corn.

§         Once all four of the major allergens have been tested, look for commercial foods that do not contain the ingredients that caused an allergic response in your pet.  If none of the above items generated a return of allergic signs, talk to our doctors about other ingredients that can cause allergic reactions.

§         When starting a new commercial food, feed that food exclusively (no treats, table food, or food from other household pets) for at least two weeks to insure that your pet is not allergic to any component of that food.

§         Remember that food companies may change the formula of the food without notifying the consumer.  If your pet starts to show the signs of the allergy without a change in the type of food you are feeding, this may be the case.

§         Also remember that different foods made by the same company will have different ingredients.  Don’t just choose the brand; choose a specific product of a specific brand.

Treatment

Do not allow your pet to eat any food containing known allergens.  If the allergen portion of the diet trial is not completed, feed your pet the prescription diet exclusively.  Read all labels VERY carefully.  Even a small amount of a food your pet is allergic to can cause a reaction that can last up to eight weeks.