Allergies
Fall and spring: the two times a year you can guarantee every other visit is going to be a white pit bull with a red abdomen, a doodle with an ear infection, or a golden retriever with moist dermatitis (also called a hot spot, but it wouldn’t be right if I didn’t try to throw ‘moist’ in the article somewhere). I will do my darndest to explain the four leading causes of allergies and some options to alleviate or manage your pet’s itching, redness, or that distinctive fishy smell they have while scooting across your new rug. Allergies are caused by an immune system over-response to something unusual and are unique to every individual, including humans, cats, dogs, and others. A dust mite or flea bite to one pet may be annoying; however, in another, it may cause debilitating itching and painful skin that can easily become infected.
Fleas: It’s always fleas
The most common and consistent cause of itching. Fortunately, I’ve already covered fleas in another article. Put your pet on year-round prevention, and we can skip this whole section.
Food allergies: Feeding the itch
Food sensitivities can start at any age and are more common in older pets. Characteristics of food allergies include year-round symptoms that recur after treatment, even while the pet is on flea/tick prevention. One of the more common statements heard in a vet clinic is: 'But Fluffy has been on (generic dog food) her whole life; she’s not allergic to it now!' Yes, she probably is. The protein is nearly always the cause of an allergic reaction, with chicken being the most common allergen. Chicken is also a staple in most diets and treats, making it a challenging task to eliminate from the diet. There are two options for managing a food allergy: a novel (new) protein diet and a hydrolyzed diet. A novel protein is the easiest to try; simply switch to a different protein source, such as salmon, lamb diet, or even more unusual options like kangaroo or venison. This can be challenging, as many foods contain chicken additives, and don’t forget the treats and table scraps. Those are often also chicken-oriented.
Purina Pro Plan Sensitive Skin & Stomach is my favorite over-the-counter option to start with. However, over-the-counter diets are still manufactured in a facility that also produces chicken diets and are not as tightly controlled. Hydrolyzed diets are broken down so much that the body does not recognize the protein and can not form an allergic reaction. Hills Z/D, Purina Hydrolyzed, Royal Canin Hydrolyzed or Ultamnio are some of the best diets. Purina DRM and Hills Derm Complete are diets that can help with both food allergies and our next cause, environmental allergies. Food allergies can take months to rule out, so be consistent and patient. Blood tests are not an effective way of determining food allergies. (There’s also a blog article on your pet’s diet)
Environmental/seasonal allergies: My least favorite season
This is the allergy with which everyone is most familiar. Think of seasonally needing to take a Benadryl, waking up in a mound of Kleenex, and remembering better times when you could actually breathe. Pets experience the same thing. Seasonal allergies are difficult. My role as a general practitioner is to help make your pet comfortable through the season. There are three common medications I use, and I’ll try to make a fun chart for those. (There are a lot more, and each vet has their personal preferences, so talk to them about what fits best for your pet.) A veterinary dermatologist has many more options, such as skin testing (similar to what is done in humans) or bloodwork, to create a specialized routine for your pet. They specialize in dermatology and can provide more detailed testing, just as a human dermatologist would. This is an option I recommend if allergy problems persist and generalized options are not working effectively.
Contact allergies: Getting in touch with your Immune system
I’ll keep this part brief, but contact allergies include conditions such as a grass sensitivity. These behaviors are usually associated with excessive paw licking and paw chewing/biting. Having a foot bath/paw washing station when coming in from outside can help. Additionally, new laundry detergents or fabrics may also cause contact allergies. These can also resemble excessive licking due to stress, making it challenging to distinguish.
The Building Blocks of Allergies
Allergies are typically formed by a combination of four causes that build up to reach an ‘itch threshold’. By addressing the various causes, our goal is to alleviate the itch and restore the skin barrier, while also managing the secondary symptoms of itching, such as ear infections, anal gland inflammation, and skin infections. Omega-3 fatty acids and over-the-counter supplements, such as Miconahex + Triz and Atopivet for the skin, as well as Triz Ultra Keto and Epi Klean for the ears, are good options. However, they will not have the impact that medications prescribed for your pet’s individual allergies will. Skin testing, ear cytologies, and anal gland expressions are examples of procedures your vet may perform to help determine the best options.
Allergies can be incredibly frustrating. As a doodle owner with a severe chicken allergy and a parent of a one-year-old who constantly drops chicken on the ground, I understand how difficult they can be. The recurring ear infections, the frito-smelling paws, the reek of anal glands invading the living room, the licking sound waking you up in the middle of the night. By consulting with your vet and understanding how to identify not only the secondary signs you observe, but also the underlying allergy, you and your pet can hopefully find some relief from those symptoms.
