Just like people, pets can develop allergies that affect their comfort, health, and quality of life. While occasional scratching is normal, persistent itching, licking, chewing, skin problems, eye discharge, anal gland issues, ear infections, or sneezing may be signs that your pet is dealing with allergies.
What Causes Allergies in Pets?
Allergies occur when the immune system is hypersensitive or overreacts to a particular substance. Pets may be reactive to food, pollen, dust, insects, fabrics, cleaners, and more.
Do Pets Get The Same Allergies as People?
In a way, yes. They can react to the same substances that people can. However, the symptoms or how they show allergies may be different.
Inhalant Allergies
These allergies are caused by substances such as pollen, grasses, weeds, and mold spores. These allergies are often seasonal (spring or fall) at first, but may become year-round over time and cause itchy skin or respiratory symptoms such as coughing or sneezing.
Food Allergies
Some pets can develop allergies to ingredients in their food. Common allergies are corn, wheat, dairy, soy, and chicken. Food allergies often cause skin issues, ongoing ear infections, anal gland problems, and sometimes stomach upset or digestive issues. All it takes is a dime-sized amount to trigger a reaction!
Contact Allergies
Contact allergens include things the pet is directly exposed to. Think about fabrics, cleaning agents, lawn fertilizers and more. These will generally cause a sudden reaction such as hives, diarrhea, coughing and sneezing.
Other Signs Your Pet May Have Allergies
Allergies can appear differently from pet to pet. Common symptoms may include:
- Excessive scratching or itching
- Licking or chewing at belly, legs or paws
- Recurrent ear infections
- Red, inflamed skin and frequent skin infections
- Hair loss
- Rubbing the face on furniture or carpet
- Chronic gastrointestinal upset (vomiting, diarrhea, burping, flatulence)
- Hives
- Eye or nose discharge
How Are Allergies Diagnosed?
Allergies can be a complicated, multifaceted and frustrating condition for both people and pets. Many allergy symptoms are very broad and can be signs of multiple other health issues. Your veterinarian may recommend:
- A thorough physical examination with skin and ear evaluations
- Flea prevention assessment
- Evaluation of diet
- Internal organ function screening
- Allergy testing
The goal is to identify the underlying cause while ruling out other conditions such as infections, parasites, or hormonal disorders.
What Type of Allergy Testing Options are Available?
Some allergy tests can be done at your primary veterinarian's office, while others may require a visit to a veterinary specialist or dermatologist.
Blood Allergy Testing
A blood sample can be drawn at most veterinarian clinics and sent to a specialty allergy lab. The test looks for antibodies to specific allergens and can be used to determine food, inhalant, and environmental sensitivities. Not all allergy labs test the same number or types of allergens. Some labs have more sensitive testing measures and may be more accurate or reliable than others. To get the most out of the results, be sure to have the test done through your veterinarian.
Intra-Dermal Testing
This test is similar to the type of testing done with people. A veterinary dermatologist shaves an area of skin and then injects a small amount of each test substance under the skin. Reactions are then recorded to determine the pet's sensitivities.
Bio-energetic Testing
A unique, non-invasive, holistic-based testing option. We are lucky enough to have Dr. Strickfaden offer this type of testing. She assesses sensitivities to common things such as foods, chemicals, molds, and pollens. She can also evaluate sensitivities less common in allergy testing such as perfumes and fragrances, vaccines, and even samples you may bring from home.
What Can Be Done to Help?
Skin Support
Supplements targeted to help the skin's defensive barrier, elasticity, or inflammation response may provide relief. These may include Omega-3 fatty acids, whole food support, or other general combination products.
Topical Products
These treatments include medicated shampoos, sprays, and creams. They often contain anti-itch medication or skin-soothing components to help, and some help to repair damage to the skin and coat. These may be time-consuming, as they often need to be applied several times a day, so they may not be the best option for a caregiver's busy lifestyle.
Medications
Allergy management medications can range from antihistamines to itch receptor blockers to steroids. Each has its own risks and benefits, and every pet may not respond the same way to any of these options. In addition to allergy-specific medications, some pets need antibiotics from time to time to address skin infections. Like people, desensitization options may be available to help "reprogram" the pet's immune system to be less sensitive over time. Once your pet has been tested, the allergy lab formulates a specialty solution unique to your pet, which is then given throughout their lifetime.
Holistic Therapy
Bio-Energetic Treatments (Bicom) use electromagnetic frequencies to boost the pet's immune system and clear allergens and sensitivities from the body. It is a specialized treatment that is not available at most veterinary clinics. Countrycare is fortunate to have Dr. Strickfaden's expertise and dedication to provide this advanced treatment to our patients.
Dietary Management
For pets with food allergies, a prescription or limited-ingredient diet may be recommended. Keep in mind that it is not possible to test every ingredient used in pet food, so there may still be ingredients a pet reacts to that are unknown. Management also means no sneaking human-food snacks from the table or couch!
Year-Round Parasite Prevention
Some pets are extremely sensitive to flea saliva. Even a single flea bite can cause intense itching and skin irritation. Consistent flea prevention is essential for allergy-prone pets to prevent flare-ups.
Helping Your Pets Feel Their Best
Living with allergies can be frustrating for both pets and their owners, but effective management is possible. With the right combination of diagnostics, a variety of treatment options, and ongoing care, most allergic pets can enjoy a happy and comfortable life.
