- Allergies are the most common cause of itching in both dogs and cats aside from fleas/ticks.
- DOGS
- Most common signs of allergies include itching and recurrent skin/ear infections
- Dogs relieve itching by licking, chewing, scooting, rubbing, or scratching.
- Infections are typically yeast and/or bacterial infections of the skin and ears.
- Common problem areas for a pup with allergies include: the feet, armpits, abdomen, chest, under the neck, and around the tail/rectal area
- The skin in the areas may have an odor, be red and irritated, hot to the touch, greasy, and very itchy.
- With long term issues, the skin becomes darker and thicker. The hair may be missing or shorter due to infections and chewing.
- Other signs of allergies can be red rimmed eyes, sneezing, eye/nasal discharge, and sneezing.
- CATS
- The main symptom of allergies in cats is itching.
- Cats will scratch, bite their skin, pull out hair, and overgroom to help relieve itch.
- Cats with allergies get skin and ear infections much less often than dogs do, but they certainly occur.
- Cats most often make bald patches on themselves, usually the lower abdomen is the worst area, and with progression, raw areas are created with the cat’s raspy tongue.
- Cats often will scratch at the head with the hind leg and create scabs around the eyes and ears.
- Common Causes of Allergies
- The two main causes of allergies are environmental and food.
- FOOD
- If the allergy symptoms start at younger than 1 year of age, the symptoms are year round, or there are any gastrointestinal signs like vomiting, loose stools, or having more than 2 bowel movements per day food allergies are more likely.
- Most pets with allergies don’t have food allergies, only about 5-10% of dogs and perhaps 30% of cats do.
- Most common food allergy is to chicken
- ENVIRONMENTAL
- Environmental allergies are reactions to pollens, dust, and molds
- Environmental allergies may be seasonal with outdoor allergies, or year round with indoor allergies.
- Most pets have a combination of indoor and outdoor allergies.
- Diagnosis and Treatment of Allergies
- What your pet is allergic to can be determined through allergy testing
- A report will be generated that has a list of environmental as well as food components your pet’s test sample reacted to so you know what sorts of things will cause the allergy symptoms
- Food allergies can be diagnosed by starting an elimination diet trial to try and pinpoint what ingredients or proteins your pet is allergic to
- Treatment for allergies can vary based on your pets symptoms, your veterinarian will recommend the treatment they deem most effective to give your fur baby relief. Common allergy treatments include:
- Benadryl(diphenhydramine)
- Antihistamines
- Apoquel tablets
- Various steroid treatment
- Cytopoint Injections
- Allergy specific shots can be ordered through the allergy testing company as well
- What your pet is allergic to can be determined through allergy testing
