Pets, just like people, can have allergies.  Pets can be allergic to things outside like grasses, trees and pollens.  Inside they can be allergic to dust mites, flea saliva, and dogs can even be allergic to cat dander!  Pets can also have food allergies.  It’s important to remember that any pet, like humans, can develop allergies to anything at anytime, even if he or she has had constant contact with the allergen his or her entire life.

Pets typically show signs of allergies by licking, chewing or scratching various areas of the body.  Ear infections are also common in pets with allergies.  However, these could also be symptoms of other issues.  When pets come in for itching or chewing themselves, we first rule out other skin conditions before walking the allergy pathway.  We make sure the pet doesn’t have fleas and is on a good flea preventative.  We rule out things such as mites, fungal infections, and bacterial infections.  Pain and dry skin are also ruled out as potential causes.  Allergies can cause infections and pain, so we may treat for these conditions prior to investigating allergies to see if this is a one time thing, or if the problems continue once treatment is completed.

Once we decide that it may indeed be allergies, we start to look at what the pet may be allergic to.  One deciding factor is if the pet is symptomatic all year, or just certain times of the year.  We also look at how severe the symptoms are.  If your pet has symptoms year round, we may suspect a food allergy.  If it’s just certain times of the year, we may look at seasonal allergies.  A pet with food allergies may also have seasonal allergies.

Patients with suspected food allergies may be put on a food trial.  We gradually switch the pet to a prescription diet (typically Hill’s D/D or Hill’s Z/D).  This diet will have a brand new protein source and new carbohydrate source that are not typically found in commercial pet foods.  Just trying a ‘natural’ or ‘organic’ food most times does not work.  Once the pet is on the new diet, he or she cannot have any other foods, including treats or human foods, which are not prescribed by the doctor.  The pet must be 100% on the diet for a minimum of 6-8 weeks to see if there is any improvement.

Seasonal allergies are typically treated with antihistamines during flare-ups once or twice a year.  Sometimes steroids are necessary to cut the itching and allow the skin to heal.  Immunosupressants may also be indicated in moderate to severe cases.

The severely allergic pet may be a candidate for allergy testing.  Two options are available for allergy testing.  At Suburban, we can do a blood test for common allergens.  More extensive skin allergy testing can be done with a referral to a dermatologist.

With the results of the allergy test, we can determine if the pet would benefit from allergy injections.  This is something the owner can do at home if comfortable with it, or for a small fee the pet can come into the clinic for a technician to administer the injection.  Pets are on a schedule for the initial series of shots, then work to spread them out in longer intervals.  Typically pets receive the injections every couple weeks.  Pets on allergy injections will typically remain on oral medication but at a smaller dose.

Allergies can be frustrating to deal with, for the pets and for their owners.  However, allergies can be managed by working closely with your veterinarian.  Be sure to talk with your veterinarian if your pet has skin problems or you suspect allergies.