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For many people, spring heralds the beginning of allergy season.
An allergy against foreign invaders such as bacteria and viruses,
overreacts to a substance. Pets suffer from allergies too, although
their symptoms are usually different from humans'.
An allergy against foreign invaders such as bacteria and viruses,
overreacts to a substance. Pets suffer from allergies too, although
their symptoms are usually different from humans'.
| Itchy skin is the most common symptom of allergies in pets, so if your dog or cat displays frequent scratching or excessive licking (especially the face and paws), you may be dealing with allergies. Some pets will develop "hot spots" be a reddish-brown discoloration of the fur on the paws and between the pads. Other symptoms include ear infections in dogs, and lip ulcers or other oral problems in cats. Left untreated, these symptoms may get progressively worse and lead to more complicated problems. Inhalant allergies are the most common allergies in pets. Environmental allergens such as pollen, dust, mildew and mold can all be culprits. These allergies can be seasonal, or your pet may suffer year-round if the allergen is in the home. Most pets that have inhalant allergies are actually allergic to more than one thing, making it even more difficult to nail down the cause. Contact allergies are not common in pets, but they do occur. For example, the chemicals in flea collars can become an allergen for some pets. Food allergies and food sensitivities can develop at any time, even if your pet has been eating the same food for years. In addition, to digestive distress, such as vomiting and diarrhea, skin problems are a common symptom. Symptoms are usually caused by a reaction to a protein or carbohydrate molecule found in one or more ingredients in your pet's diet. The molecule causing the reaction can be found in any ingredient that is part of your pet's diet, including food, treats, human food and flavored medicines. Flea allergies are common in pets. The allergen is actually the flea saliva, not the flea, and pets with these allergies can suffer from significant reactions to a single flea. There are many potential causes of skin problems in dogs and cats, so when diagnosing allergies, we must rule out other possibilities, such as parasites or a thyroid condition. Identifying specific allergen(s) can be difficult. Skin and blood tests are available for some allergies, and the process of elimination may be used for others, especially when food allergies are suspected. Allergies cannot be cured-they are chronic conditions-however they can usually be managed. Treatments vary depending on the allergens and symptoms, and may involve food or environmental changes, immunosuppressants, allergy shots, antihistamines or steroids. Patience is important, as many of the treatments protocols can take months to become effective because allergens can remain in the body for a long time. |