Allergies in animals: better identification makes for improved treatment
Allergies in companion animals are more common than one might think, and can seriously affect an animal’s quality of life. Allergy symptoms, which can manifest as itching and recurring infections, are often bewildering for families and painful for their four-legged companions. Since there are multiple types of allergies, finding what triggers your animal’s specific problem can be a challenge.
If you are reading this, you undoubtedly care about your animal’s well-being. Rest assured that in most cases, with patience and the appropriate treatment, it is entirely possible to manage your animal’s allergy symptoms and ensure they have a good quality of life.
Recognizing the signs: how can you tell that your animal has allergies?
Allergy symptoms in dogs and cats can vary, but certain common signs are red flags:
- Itching: your animal frequently scratches themself or licks themself excessively.
- Hair loss: bald patches appear due to intense scratching.
- Skin wounds and infections: your animal’s skin shows lesions caused by excessive scratching.
- Redness around the eyes and nose: these are outward manifestations of inflammation.
- Recurring ear or skin infections: frequent infections in the ears or in the interdigital spaces (the skin between the toes) may be signs of an undiagnosed allergy.
- Odours: in some cases, your animal may give off an unusual smell, ranging in intensity from mild to strong.
The three major types of allergies
Allergies in dogs and cats fall into three main categories:
- Environmental: this is by far the most common type of allergy and is caused by allergens present in the environment, such as pollen, dust mites, or mold.
- Food-related: contrary to what many people think, food allergies are less common than environmental allergies. They are usually caused by one or more ingredients in the animal’s diet and can be identified by choosing a strict hypoallergenic diet recommended by your veterinarian.
- Flea-related: these are triggered by flea bites and can cause severe itching even if there are only a few fleas on your animal’s body. An animal who is not allergic to fleas may react to an infestation with mild scratching or no scratching at all.
Each type of allergy requires a specific approach in order to be accurately diagnosed and treated effectively.
Making a diagnosis
Diagnosing allergies in animals is a methodical process that can take time. When an allergy is suspected, your veterinarian will begin by performing a complete examination and ensuring that any possible infections are treated. Your veterinarian may recommend certain blood tests to rule out any metabolic problem that might also be involved. The next step generally involves investigating the easiest causes to identify and treat, such as parasite infestations. If symptoms persist, a hypoallergenic diet (also called an elimination diet) may be recommended, to determine if the allergy is food-related. If that is ruled out, your veterinarian may conclude that your animal could be suffering from one or more environmental allergies. Since each animal is unique and has their own specific characteristics and lifestyle, your veterinarian may proceed differently.
If, at the end of this process, you still don’t see any improvement, talk to your veterinarian about other options. If you can afford it, further investigation with a specialist may be worth considering.
“Above all, don’t give up if a particular treatment fails. Working with your veterinarian is crucial, and the observations you make at home play a key role in the diagnostic process. Documenting symptoms and responses to treatment can greatly help your veterinarian and your animal—it’s a real team effort,” says Dr. Alicia Magnan, a veterinarian at the Montreal SPCA.
Managing allergies day-to-day: medication and complementary treatments
The approach chosen will depend on the type of allergy from which your animal is suffering. Once a diagnosis has been made, it is important to comply with an appropriate treatment plan.
Environmental allergies
Symptoms of environmental allergies can be effectively managed. Some allergies, such as those caused by pollen, may be seasonal, meaning that your animal will not need to be medicated all year long. Your veterinarian may prescribe medication to soothe symptoms and reduce inflammation. Medicated shampoos as well as supplements such as omega-3 can sometimes provide relief by soothing the skin and strengthening the skin barrier, but these products should be used in conjunction with any prescribed medication.
Food allergies
If your animal’s allergy is food-related, the approach will focus on eliminating the ingredient (or ingredients) at fault. This requires adopting a strict diet, often called an “elimination diet.” Any diet should be chosen in consultation with your veterinarian, to ensure that it meets your animal’s needs. Your veterinarian may recommend a hypoallergenic kibble or canned food, or a specially formulated homemade diet. Dietary supplements can also be used to strengthen the skin barrier and improve your animal’s digestive health. Be sure to choose supplements that are approved by your veterinarian, since even a small amount of the allergenic ingredient can jeopardize the success of your diet!
“There is no one-size-fits-all treatment for allergies in animals. As a veterinarian, I know that identifying the type of allergy affecting an animal and finding the right treatment can sometimes be discouraging for the family. It takes patience and perseverance, but in the long run, the effort is well worth it when you see your animal enjoying a much better quality of life.”
– Dr. Alicia Magnan, veterinarian at the Montreal SPCA
It is essential to consult your veterinarian promptly in the following situations:
- Your animal has persistent itching, scratch lesions, or significant hair loss.
- Your animal shows visible discomfort or licks themself excessively.
- Your animal gets repeated ear infections.
- Your animal develops a secondary infection (due to scratching, for example).
- Symptoms persist despite medical treatment, or worsen over time.
Allergies can affect us humans as much as our animals. Have you developed an allergy to your furry friend, but don’t want to part with them? You can find five practical tips to help you manage your symptoms and live in harmony with your animal by clicking here.
Sources:
Canadian Academy of Veterinary Dermatology
https://www.cavd.ca/images/Fiche_sur_lallergie_de_la_CAVD_2020.pdf
Canadian Veterinary Medical Association
https://www.canadianveterinarians.net/related-resources/canine-and-feline-allergies/
La Presse
VCA Canada
https://vcacanada.com/know-your-pet/allergy-general-in-dogs
https://vcacanada.com/know-your-pet/ear-infections-in-dogs-otitis-externa
