Spring is in the air, and that means so are a number of seasonal allergens that could be making you and your pet miserable. That’s right: Our pets can suffer the effects of allergies, too. And, like us, if an animal is sensitive to something in his environment or a food he eats, his body will produce antibodies in an attempt to protect itself. Those antibodies release chemicals into the bloodstream, including histamine, which act on the skin, ears, eyes, throat, nose, and gastrointestinal tract, producing the unpleasant symptoms of an allergic reaction.
Your pet could react to a number of potential allergens in his environment. Some of the most common include:
Fleas
Grasses, trees, weeds, plants, pollens, molds, or mildews
Various food ingredients, like corn, wheat, soy, or meat products
Prescription medications
Dust or dander
Cat litters
Cleaning products
Shampoos
Perfumes
Cigarette smoke
How will you know if your pet is suffering from allergies? Watch for problems in the following four areas:
Skin:
When a pet’s allergic reaction is skin-related, we call the condition allergic dermatitis. The most common reaction pets have when exposed to allergens, allergic dermatitis leads to skin irritation and inflammation. Pets with allergic dermatitis will obsessively attempt to relieve their inflamed and itchy skin.
Watch for:
Excessive scratching and/or chewing at particular areas of the body
Rubbing against furniture and other objects
Open sores, scabbing, and hair loss around the affected areas
When allergic dermatitis is caused by an allergy to fleas, we call it flea allergy dermatitis (FAD). When a flea bites an animal, it injects saliva under the animal’s skin. Flea bites will cause any animal to feel itchy and uncomfortable, but many animals are hypersensitive to the flea saliva and will have an allergic reaction when bitten. FAD causes a longer, more intense reaction than typical itching associated with flea bites.
Watch for:
Rash or raised bumps that might resemble pimples
Hair loss
Irritated, raw, or bleeding areas as a result of excessive scratching, biting, or grooming (dogs often experience this near their back legs, stomach, or tail, but cats will usually experience this around the neck and face)
Ears
Dogs are especially prone to allergy-related ear problems. What may begin as itchy or irritated ears could escalate into a serious ear infection.
Watch for:
Scratching at the ears
Frequent head shaking
Hair loss around the ears
Discharge (often with an unpleasant odor) coming from the ears
Respiratory system
Many humans who suffer from allergies—especially environmental allergies—will experience respiratory symptoms similar to those of a cold. Although less common than allergic dermatitis, our pets can experience similar respiratory-related allergy symptoms.
Watch for:
Sneezing
Watery eyes
Runny nose
Coughing
Snoring (due to inflammation of the throat)
Gastrointestinal system
Food allergies are often the culprit when a pet has a gastrointestinal allergic reaction.
Watch for:
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Excessive gas
Scooting or redness around the anus
Diagnosing your pet’s allergies
If your pet is showing signs of a possible allergic reaction call us at (902) 897-7387. To diagnose your pet’s condition and determine the specific allergen(s), we’ll conduct a thorough exam, including any appropriate blood or skin tests.
If we suspect your pet is allergic to a food ingredient, we’ll recommend an elimination diet to determine the specific ingredient he should avoid.
Some pets with severe allergies may be referred to a veterinary dermatologist for more in-depth allergy skin testing and treatment.
Treating and preventing your pet’s allergies
Once we’ve determined what your pet is allergic to, it’s important to avoid those substances when possible. Some allergens—like dust—are more difficult to avoid than others, but there are ways you can help to minimize your pet’s exposure.
For example, some pets with environmental allergies might benefit from bathing once per week. Bathing this often can strip your pet’s skin of its natural oils, though, so be sure to ask us about shampoos that will help to moisturize your pet’s skin.
Additionally, you should attempt to keep your pet’s environment as clean as possible to minimize exposure to potential allergens. Clean bedding, curtains, and flooring often.
Another option is to use an air purifying machine in your home, as this will eliminate a lot of the allergens in your air.
All pets, but especially those that struggle with flea allergies, should be given a year-round flea preventive medication.
Dogs and cats with more severe allergies might also benefit from:
Antihistamines
Fatty acid supplements
Immune-modulating medications
Short-term steroid therapy
Allergy injections
Allergies are a significant health problem for a lot of our pets, and companies like Zoetis have formulated different medications to help with the symptoms. Two of these are apoquel and cytopoint.
The active substance in Cytopoint, lokivetmab, is a monoclonal antibody (a type of protein) that recognises and attaches to interleukin-31, a protein that plays an important role in triggering dermatitis in dogs. By attaching to and blocking the action of interleukin-31, lokivetmab reduces itchy skin and inflammation.
The active ingredient in Apoquel is oclacitinib, which is classified as a Janus kinase (JAK1) inhibitor. Apoquel works by blocking the effects of Janus kinase, an important signal that triggers itching and inflammation in allergic dogs. This reduces the cause of itching at a cellular level and blunts the effects of certain inflammatory signals in the body. As a result, allergic dogs that are given Apoquel do not feel as itchy and scratch less. The skin inflammation caused by allergies is also reduced. Apoquel is not a corticosteroid or an antihistamine.
With so many different allergens, types of allergic reactions, and potential treatments, it’s important to book an appointment to allow for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan. Do not attempt to diagnose your pet’s condition on your own, and only give your pet medications we recommend.
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