Skin Allergies In Cats And Dogs

By Mark Woodcock

Just like people, dogs and cats can suffer skin allergies, from seasonal to environmental like pollen, dust mites and insect bites.

There are effective ways to diagnose and treat skin allergies in dogs and cats. Allergic reactions can occur when the immune system over reacts to innocuous substances. Sometimes on first exposure there is no sign of an allergy, but the immune system can build up a reserve of antibodies that may react to that particular allergen should your dog or cat be expose a 2nd time.

Predisposition to skin allergies is inherited and in some breeds like terriers, retrievers, poodles, schnauzers and Dalmatians can be more prone to allergies. Where you live can effect both humans and dogs since the environment harbors a wide variety of allergens. You immune systems is more likely to develop allergies within the first three years or so of life. Animals that develop allergies when they are young are then likely to develop more as they get older, although a dog would not get many new allergies unless you moved to a new geographical location which carried new allergens.

There are many things contained within the environment that can cause allergies. Combinations of allergens can result in additive effects, for instance... a dog which reacts to a food allergy along with a dust mite allergy and maybe a ragweed allergy will show more severe symptoms than a dog allergic to only one.

Dogs which have skin allergies usually show as problems involving the ears, feet, face, armpit and genital regions, these skin reactions can involve inflammation, itchy irritation and moist secretions. This moist, inflamed skin may attract micro organisms and therefore a skin allergy can lead to bacterial infections. Yeast infections in the ear can become smelly and are commonly associated with allergies. Scratching can also lead to rashes or sores which may become infected. Once a skin infection sets in, a vicious cycle begins, the infections may cause more inflammation, with in turn attracts more bacteria, which in turn may cause more inflammation and so it goes on.

Another very common source of skin allergies is the flea or mite bite. Saliva and other secretions from these parasites may cause itchy hypersensitivity reactions with the surrounding skin releasing histamine and other substances that cause itching and inflammation. Fleas and mites, both internal and external may contribute to the development of new allergies. As the dogs and cats immune system creates antibodies to the fleas and mites, it may also develop sensitivities to other environmental substances.

Keeping your dog free from fleas and mites, especially whilst puppies, is essential in preventing allergies. A dog that is itching can be tested for allergies. High amounts of some antibodies (called ige) can usually indicate an over reaction to an allergen. Veterinarians can perform skin tests on your pets, similar to those performed on people. By exposing small areas of the skin to different allergens, observing how the skin reacts to each, your veterinarian can tell which, if any, your pet may be sensitive to. It is interesting that dogs are often sensitive to allergens which are similar to the ones that affect people, only dogs will often react differently because of the route of exposure and biochemistry of the reaction if very different.

When an allergy is diagnosed, there can be several ways of treatment. Avoiding the allergen may be difficult but not impossible if only household changes are needed. For instance.... should your dog be allergic to feathers, change it's pillows if feather filled . Because environmental allergens are absorbed through the skin, bathing will prevent itching, bathing will also help to wash away the allergens before they have a chance to penetrate the skin. If an allergen cannot be "washed away" or avoided, some fatty acid supplements in their diet may help reduce some skin problems. Some drug treatments like antihistamines, anti inflammatory corticosteroids and immunosuppressive drugs may reduce any symptoms, but beware these drugs do have side effects.

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