environmental allergens. Most types of allergic dermatitis in pets will appear as itchy, irritated skin usually resulting in hair loss. Bumps, blisters and ulcers may be seen. Many factors effect when and if pets will suffer from allergies: overall health is one factor as well as genetics, skin type, stress, anxiety, and hormones. Allergic skin disease that results from allergens inhaled by the lungs or from contact to the skin is called atopy. Allergic skin disease is usually divided into four different subcategories: 1. Allergies to fleas and external parasites. 2. Allergies to foods. 3. Contact allergies to agents like wool, latex, and grass. 4. Inhaled allergies to dust, mold and pollens. 5. Secondary allergies and infection due to bacteria, fungus and yeast.
Allergies to flea saliva and parasites are the most common form of dermatitis. Oddly, animals allergic to fleas will have very few of them on their bodies. A pet’s excessive grooming can eliminate signs of fleas, but even one or two bites will cause itching and irritation. Chewing and biting on the tail, rump and back legs can be one sign of flea allergies. This allergy can controlled by eradicating the insects. Aggressive flea control usually involves using a safe effective flea product on your pet regularly, frequent vacuuming and steam cleaning of carpets, and using a “flea comb” on your pet. Skin scrapings taken by a veterinarian may help in diagnosing mite infestations that can mimic flea problems.
Allergies to foods are the third most common type of allergies in dogs. Dogs and cats are most commonly allergic to the protein content of their food but allergies to soy, corn and wheat are not uncommon. Symptoms of food allergies in pets are itching around the face, feet, ears, anus, armpits and forelegs. Reoccurring ear infections are common in pets who suffer from food allergies. Food allergies can be difficult to separate from other allergies but one of the most definitive is that they do not respond to steroid treatment. Blood tests are not always accurate in diagnosing food allergies so a food elimination diet is usually recommended. Sometimes antihistamines, fatty acid supplements and steroids are used temporarily to treat food allergies. The only solution for food allergies is to change the pet’s food. Special diets like “limited antigen” or “hydrolyzed protein” that have proteins and carbohydrates broken down into to such small molecules that they do not trigger an allergic response are available. An owner prepared diet can also be an alternative to avoid the suspected allergens. Consult your veterinarian for an owner-prepared diet recommendation.
Contact allergies are the least common of skin allergies among animals. Known as contact dermatitis, the allergy can be due to flea products, cedar pet beds, grass, weeds, wool or disinfectants and carpet deodorants. Use of hypoallergenic shampoos can help remove allergens from the animal’s skin. Fatty acid supplements, anti-histamines and biotin are also used to control symptoms. Simply avoiding or removing the allergen is the easiest long-term solution.
Inhaled allergies are the number one reason for veterinary visits. Dogs suffer from atopic dermatitis more often than cats. Your pet may be allergic to pollens, mold and mildew spores, dust mites and wool. These atopic allergies usually begin when the animal is between six and twenty-four months of age. Most inhaled allergies are seasonal responses to pollen and may last only for the duration of the season. Ragweed is a common allergenic pollen. Using hepa air-filters and keeping windows closed may prevent many inhaled allergies. Wood floors and wiping your pet’s paws when it comes in from out of doors will also reduced pollen allergens in your home. Treatment for atopy may include corticosteroids, antihistamines, fatty acid supplements and allergy shots. Cats benefit from antihistamine treatment at a lower rate than dogs.
An overgrowth of systemic bacteria, yeast or fungus can cause dermatitis symptoms much like food allergies. Allergy testing can result in false positives that have little or no relation to the actual problem. When an animal’s digestive tract gets overgrown with yeast, fungus or bacteria it can destroy the ph of the mucosal lining and result in leaking of toxins into the animal’s bloodstream. This condition can have symptoms like rashes, sores, scabs, and hair loss. Other telltale signs can be body odor including smelly ears, bladder and ear infections, genital discharge, discolored skin and arthritis. Thyroid testing is also recommended since yeast overgrowth and thyroid problems are closely related. Probiotic regimes, the avoidance of antibiotics, and anti-yeast diets can usually treat yeast allergies.
researcher Sheli Ellsworth Helpful Supplements for Pet Skin Allergies
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