Four Types of Pet Allergies
Pet allergies can be grouped into four types: food, flea, atopic (inhalant) and contact. These four allergy types are explained below.
Food Allergies
About ten percent of all pet allergies can be traced back to food. Some pets may not exhibit food allergies immediately, but may take some time to display symptoms. A true food allergy will result in the typical allergy symptoms of frequent itching and chewing and skin inflammation and irritation. The most common pet food allergies are also common ingredients in pet food. Dogs are frequently allergic to dairy, wheat, soy, corn, eggs and beef. Cats are most often allergic to fish, beef and dairy.
If your vet suspects a food allergy, they will prescribe a special diet for a month or two to see if that helps. You will not be allowed to feed your pet anything but the special food during this period. If the allergy clears up, your pet?s diet will need to be adjusted.
Flea Allergies
Flea allergies are by far the most common pet allergies and the easiest to treat. Most pets get a regular flea medicine and collar to prevent ever having fleas. Pets aren?t actually allergic to the fleas themselves, but to the flea saliva that is present when fleas bite. This can result in severe itching, scratching and chewing that may leave your pet red and raw. Sometimes pets can itch so severely they cause open sores and infections. You?ll want to catch your pets itching before it gets to this point to prevent unnecessary suffering. Sometimes you pet will lose hair in patches as well
Your vet may prescribe an anti-inflammatory to ease the itching and a flea repelling medication to rid the pet of fleas. A regular flea bath or medication will prevent your pet from ever having fleas. This is one allergen that can be routinely avoided. You?ll also want to wash your pets bedding with a special soap.
Atopic (Inhalent) Allergies
Pets can become allergic to inhaled substances just like humans can. Pollen, mold spores, tobacco smoke and dust may all trigger an atopic allergy in pets. Allergens can be present both indoors and outdoors. Atopic allergies may spread all over the body, but most often manifest on the ears, groin, feet and armpits. Your pet may chew at these itchy areas, resulting in the loss of hair and possible formation of ?hot spots,? or irritated, infected skin.
Pets with inhalant allergies may be affected seasonally, just as humans are. Air conditioning, air filters and regular house cleaning may help during peak pollen season.
Contact Allergies
Contact allergies are not very common in pets. This type of allergy occurs when pet?s skin is exposed to a material they are allergic to. Some pets may be allergic to a flea collar or a specific material used as bedding. In this case, the skin in contact with the allergen is what becomes irritated or discolored. Frequent itching may result in hair loss.
You?ll want to identify the allergen by removing suspected items one by one. Through trial and error you can determine what is causing the allergy and limit pet?s exposure.
Treating Pet Allergies
There?s no way to cure pet allergies. Just as in humans, the only treatment for allergies includes desensitization, treating symptoms such as itching and inflammation, and avoiding specific allergens. Through these steps, you can manage your pet?s allergies.
http://www.fda.gov/fdac/features/2004/404_pets.html