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Pet
Allergies
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Pet Allergies
Allergies are among the most difficult conditions
to diagnose and treat – understanding why and
how allergies occur is the first step to treating a
pet’s allergies.
WHAT IS AN ALLERGY?
An allergy is an abnormal reaction by the immune
system against a normally harmless substance. In a
pet with allergies, the immune system encounters
the allergen or ‘trigger’, which the body sees as
harmful. These allergens cause the immune system
to produce a protein referred to as IgE, which then
attaches to cells called ‘tissue mast cells’ located
in the skin. When the IgE attaches to these mast
cells, it causes the release of irritating chemicals
such as histamines, which cause allergy symptoms.
In dogs, these particular reactions and cell types
are only present in significant amounts in the skin,
which is why that is where we see a reaction and
therefore allergy symptoms. In these pets their
immune system is considered hyper-sensitive,
reacting to things that in a normal pet would not
Pet Allergies
cause a reaction. Allergies can affect dogs in a
wide variety of ways – and not every dog will
exhibit the same symptoms.
ALLERGY SYMPTOMS
Allergies usually manifest themselves in one of
four basic forms:
• Dermal Effects – Dermal symptoms include
itching involving the skin.
This itching can be
localized to a particular spot or can affect the
pet’s entire body. Welts, bumps, redness, rashes,
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Pet Allergies
and hair loss are common manifestations of
allergies. This is by far the most common form of
allergy symptom. Ear infections are another
common dermal symptom of allergies.
• Respiratory Effects – Respiratory symptoms can
include runny nose, discharge from the eyes,
wheezing, coughing, and even constriction of
the airway.
• Digestive Effects – Digestive symptoms can be the
result of a food intolerance or a food allergy,
because the immune system may or may not be
involved in creating the reaction. Symptoms of
both an allergy or an intolerance can result in
vomiting, diarrhea, and chronic digestive upset.
• Systemic Effects – In serious cases of an allergic
reaction, anaphylaxis can result.
This acute
reaction can result in facial
swelling, swelling of the
airway, sudden drops in
blood
pressure,
seizure, and even
death.
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Pet Allergies
DOES YOUR PET HAVE ALLERGIES?
Allergies are perhaps one of the most difficult
problems to effectively diagnose and treat.
Allergies are often explored when all other
potential causes – such as respiratory infection,
virus, or parasites are eliminated.
Symptoms include:
• Chewing on feet
• Constant licking
• Rubbing the face on carpet
• Dry, flaky skin
• Red, irritated skin
• Itching and scratching all over the body
• Skin lesions or abrasions due to self-mutilation
from constant scratching
• Hair loss
• Chronic ear infections
IS YOUR PET PRONE TO ALLERGIES?
How will you know if your dog has or could
develop allergies? Like humans, dogs and cats
must be exposed to the allergen for some time
before an allergy develops, giving the body time
to mount its immune response – the dog’s body
must learn to react to the allergen.
In dogs,
allergies may start at any age. Most, however,
start to develop between one and three years of
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Pet Allergies
age.
To make matters
worse, as the dog ages, his
response to allergens may
become more severe, or he can develop allergies
to additional things. In some breeds, an allergy is
‘learned’ and then genetically programmed,
passing from generation to generation.
Thus,
allergies can be genetically linked. Allergies are
more common in certain breeds such as Scottish
Terriers, West Highland White Terriers, Lhasa
Apsos, Bichon Frise, Maltese, Labrador and
Golden Retrievers, Dalmations, Pugs, Sharpeis,
Cocker Spaniels, Miniature Schnauzers, and
English Bulldogs.
TYPES OF ALLERGIES IN PETS
Allergens can take many forms:
they can be
inhaled like pollen and chemicals; they can result
from physical contact, also known as contact
dermatitis; and they can be ingested as in the
case with medication or food allergies. There are
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Pet Allergies
several causes of allergies in pets – most notably
Atopy – which is an environmental or inhalant
allergy; contact and flea allergies; and food
allergies and intolerances. There are numerous
conditions which cause problems with a dog or
cat’s skin, but the most common, by far, is
allergies. Allergies can be a chronic problem, or
episodic in nature.
Common allergens include:
• Foods or food additives such as individual
meats, grains, colorings, or preservatives
• Beef, chicken, or turkey
• Eggs
• Wheat, corn, or soy
• Dairy products
• Trees
• Grass
• Weeds
• Pollen
• Dust mites
• Fabrics
• Cedar chips
• Plastic materials
• Flea bites
A pet who is allergic to something will usually
show its allergic reaction through skin problems
and itching, or pruritus. It may seem logical that
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if a dog is allergic to something he inhales (atopy),
such as pollen or grasses, he will have a runny
nose; if he is allergic to something he eats (food
allergy) such as beef or dairy, he may vomit; or if
he has a contact allergy (contact dermatitis or
flea allergy) he may have swelling and itching at
the site of contact. In reality, dogs rarely have
signs this specific.
Instead, most allergies
symptoms consist of mild to severe itching all over
the body, whether caused by environmental or
food
allergies;
some
allergies
are
also
characterized by chronic ear infections.
The dog may also show digestive symptoms - both
a food allergy and a food intolerance
can be characterized by vomiting,
excess gas, or chronic
diarrhea. Since the
symptoms are the same
for
an
intolerance,
allergy
it
is
or
nearly
impossible to know which your
pet suffers from. Both are
treated in the same manner by
utilizing a food trial.
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MANAGING ALLERGY SYMPTOMS
How do I know what type of allergies my dog has?
The short answer is, you don’t! Intradermal skin
testing is the method recommended by veterinary
dermatologists and is practical and precise way to
pinpoint your pet’s environmental allergies.
Identifying the cause of a food allergy is often a
system of trial and error; thus most dogs with
allergies are managed in a multi-level approach most allergies can be managed appropriately with
a combination of avoidance, supplementation,
medication as determined by your veterinarian,
and food trials. Due to the fact that many other
problems can cause similar symptoms, and that
many times animals are suffering from more
problems than just food allergies, it is important
that all other problems are properly identified and
treated prior to undergoing treatment for
allergies. Flea bite allergies, intestinal parasite
hypersensitivities,
sarcoptic
or
demodectic
mange, and yeast or bacterial infections can
cause similar symptoms as both environmental
and food allergies.
All likely causes should be
appropriately addressed by your veterinarian.
First Things First
Because there are so many variables in a pet’s
environment, and many dogs with allergies have
both food and environmental allergies, changing
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Pet Allergies
food is often an easy first step in helping manage
allergy symptoms.
It is estimated that food
allergies plus atopy account about 50% of the
causes of itching and scratching.
According to Dr. John Gordon, board-certified
veterinary dermatologist at MedVet, chronic ear
infections are nearly always allergy related. A
change in diet will improve the symptoms in at
least 30% of the allergy patients he evaluates.
Food allergies can affect both dogs and cats, and
unlike atopy there is no strong link between
specific breeds and food allergies.
Food
allergies affect both males and females,
neutered and intact animals equally. They can
show up as early as six months of age to any
time in life, though most occur between two and
six years old. Many animals with food allergies
also have concurrent inhalant or contact
environmental allergies – thus, using a hypoallergenic
diet
may
alleviate
symptoms
dramatically, but it may not provide 100%
improvement.
Food Allergies
The symptoms of food allergies are similar to those
of most allergies seen in dogs and cats.
The
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primary symptom is itchy skin, often affecting the
face, feet, ears, paws, armpits, and underside.
Symptoms may also include chronic or recurrent
ear infections, hair loss, excessive scratching, hot
spots, and skin infections that respond to
antibiotics but reoccur after antibiotics are
discontinued. It is difficult to distinguish an animal
suffering from food allergies from an animal
suffering from atopy or other environmental
allergies based on physical signs alone. However,
there are a few signs that increase the suspicion
that food allergies may
be present.
• Recurrent ear
infections, especially
yeast infections
• Age of dog – a very
young dog with
moderate or severe
skin problems is more
likely to be suffering
from a food allergy
• Allergy symptoms are year round, with change
in seasons offering no relief to itchiness
• Allergy symptoms such as itching do not
respond to steroid treatment
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Pet Allergies
Food Intolerance
A food intolerance differs from a food allergy in
that it is not a true allergy, thus there is no
immune response from the body. Symptoms of a
food intolerance are usually gastro-intestinal in
nature, causing vomiting, excess gas, diarrhea, or
chronic loose stool.
Treatment of a food
intolerance can be approached the same way as
food allergy – with a food trial.
Food Trials and Elimination Diets
When a pet is suspected of having a food allergy,
it is recommended they undergo a food trial.
During a food trial, an animal is fed a diet
consisting of a novel protein and a novel
carbohydrate source that the animal has never
eaten before. Remember, an allergen response
requires repeated exposure, so feeding something
the pet has never had before decreases the
likelihood of an allergic response.
Thus the
ingredients that have been most common in pet
food in the past are the most common culprits
today. Common allergens in pet foods are beef,
dairy products, chicken, turkey, egg, wheat, corn,
and soy. These are the ingredients you should try
to avoid!
There are a number of limited
ingredient diets available; such as, Herring &
Green Pea, Duck & Potato, Venison & Potato, or
Salmon & Rice. You should check carefully and
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Pet Allergies
read the ingredient listing to make sure your trial
diet contains only those ingredients. Often times
even though a product is labeled “Lamb & Rice”, it
contains other ingredients like chicken or corn.
Veterinarians used to recommend that a pet only
needed to be placed on a special diet for 3-4
weeks, but new studies show that in dogs, only 26%
of those with food allergies responded by day 21.
However, the vast majority responded within a 12
week time frame. Therefore, it is very important
to keep the pet on the limited diet for the entire
12 weeks. If there is no change in symptoms but a
food allergy is still strongly suspected, then
another food trial using a different novel food
source could be tried.
*DURING A FOOD TRIAL, ONLY THE
RECOMMENDED DIET MUST BE FED*
*DO NOT GIVE*
• ANY Treats
• Rawhides (may contain beef or pork)
• Pig Ears
• Cow hooves
• Greenies (contains wheat and soy)
• ANY ‘people’ food
• Flavored medications or supplements
(use a non-flavored heartworm preventative)
• Flavored toothpastes
• Flavored plastic toys
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Other food trial hints:
• If you want to give a treat, use the limited
ingredient food, or the same food’s canned
version – the canned food can also be used to
give a pill or to mix medication with
• Feed all pets in household the limited
ingredient diet
• If other pets eat a different food, feed them in
an entirely different room, so there is no chance
the pet with allergies can have access to the
other food
• Do not allow the dog access to the cat’s food or
litter box
• Keep your pet out of the room at meal times –
even a small amount of food dropped on the
floor or licked off a plate can VOID a food trial,
and require you to start your 12 week trial
period over. Wash the hands and faces of any
children after they have eaten.
• Do not allow your pet outside unsupervised
Environmental Allergies
A
large
portion
allergies
of
are
environmental allergies – most
of these are the inhalant type
and
are
seasonal,
with
symptoms present only at
certain times of the year.
Pet Allergies
Many of these dogs suffer from intense itching,
usually only seasonally initially, but symptoms can
turn into a year round problem.
ALLERGY TESTING
Allergy testing should be considered for any
animal that is suffering from allergies that occur
for more than four months out of the year, or do
not respond to initial treatment. If allergy testing
is recommended, consult with your veterinarian or
a board certified Veterinary Dermatologist.
A
definitive
diagnosis
of
an
allergy
and
determination of exactly what the animal is
allergic to can be made by consulting with your
veterinarian for allergy testing. There are two
basic types of allergy testing –
Blood Testing – There are two types of blood tests
used, the RAST and ELISA tests. In either one, a
blood sample is drawn from the suspected atopic
dog and screened for a reaction to a broad range
of allergens including pollens, dust, grass, and
molds common to your geographical area.
Though this test can be used, because it was
initially developed for humans, the antibodies
that they test for are different in dogs and cats
than in people. The result is that there are a lot
of false positives, and the test could indicate that
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Pet Allergies
your pet is allergic to things when he is really not.
For this reason, veterinary dermatologists
recommend intradermal skin testing.
Intradermal Skin
Testing
–
This
test is considered
the
“gold
standard”
allergy
of
testing
for atopy.
animal
The
is
sedated, and an
area on his side is shaved in a patch down to the
skin. A grid is laid out and small injections are
made, done in order so that if the dog shows a
small raised reaction, the allergy causing antigen
can be identified.
A veterinary dermatologist
specializes in these, and is the best person to read
such tests. Before undergoing such testing, the
pet needs to be off all medications, specifically
steroids.
The blood test and intradermal skin test have
some similarities:
• These tests work best if performed during the
season when the allergies are at their worst
• Once the allergens are identified a mixture of
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Pet Allergies
these allergens can be formulated into a
hyposensitizing injection – exposing the pet at
first to just a small amount, gradually increasing
the dosage over a period of weeks to months until
the dog or cat develops immunity to the allergens.
• These tests work only for environmental allergens
– although there is a blood test available for food
allergy testing, results seem to be inconclusive at
best. Most veterinary dermatologists agree that
the best way to determine food allergies is to
undertake a food trial.
Allergy testing is the best diagnostic tool and the
best road to treatment for dogs that are suffering
from moderate to severe allergies.
appropriate
testing,
the
With
hyposensitization
injections have had good results in desensitizing
your pet and reducing environmental allergy
symptoms in many dogs.
Veterinary dermatologist Dr. Gordon has found
that with the appropriate desensitizing injections,
one-third of treated patients improve to the point
they are eventually able to discontinue all
therapy.
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Pet Allergies
TREATMENT
There are many options for treating dogs with
allergies.
Until the cause of an allergy is
pinpointed, it is difficult to come up with the
appropriate treatment.
In the mean time,
management practices like conducting a food trial
and minimizing exposure to potential allergens
can help in reducing symptoms.
Food Allergies
A dog with food allergies requires no ‘treatment’,
per se, owners just need to make sure their pet’s
food does not contain the problem causing
ingredient.
Unfortunately, it can be a long
process to try and figure out what the offending
ingredient is! A strict food trial is the best way to
manage your pet’s food allergies.
Environmental Allergies
Without appropriate allergy testing, it is nearly
impossible to decipher what environmental
component your pet is allergic to. You can try
limiting your pet’s exposure to possible or known
allergens by using avoidance.
Avoidance
Avoidance can be very useful in managing atopy.
While it may be impossible to eliminate all of the
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offending allergens, many can be greatly reduced
by managing their environment.
Avoidance is
rarely 100% effective when used by itself, but can
greatly reduce allergy symptoms.
MEDICATIONS
Veterinarian Prescribed
For cases where exposure to the allergen cannot
be controlled, such as in the case of a seasonal
allergy, a veterinarian can prescribe your pet the
correct dosage of an anti-histamine to help
alleviate symptoms.
Anti-histamines help
control the immune system’s over-zealous
response to an allergy, which then alleviates the
symptoms. Steroids are also often prescribed by
veterinarians to help alleviate symptoms, but
unfortunately they just mask the symptoms, not
actually reduce the problem. They can also have
serious side effects due to long term use, and
should always be used under the supervision of a
veterinarian.
Secondary infection is also
common in allergy affected
dogs, due to the pet
itching and biting
at
their
skin.
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Pet Allergies
Antibiotic treatment is often
required to heal the resulting
skin infection. Since bacterial
COMMON
Allergy
House Dust
and yeast skin infections are
common
in
dogs
with
House Dust Mites
allergies, it is important to
treat these infections as well
as the atopy. Consult with
Molds
your veterinarian to find the
appropriate medications for
your allergy prone pet.
Grasses/Pollens
Over the Counter
Not many over the counter
oral medications are available to reduce itchiness
in pets. However, Omega-3 fatty acids have been
shown to be very beneficial in the management of
allergies in dogs and cats. Fatty acids have been
recommended for years to improve overall skin and
coat quality, and it is now known that they
work in the skin to help
reduce the amount
and effects of histamine
and other chemicals that are
released in response to allergies. The amount of
success varies – some pets show little to no
improvement, most show moderate improvement,
and some seem to respond with a complete cure.
Most pets need to be on the omega-3 fatty acids
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Pet Allergies
ENVIRONMENTAL ALLERGENS
Avoidance Suggestion
• Keep pet out of room for several hours during and
after vacuuming, change furnace filters regularly
•
•
•
•
Vacuum frequently
Change furnace filters regularly
Use plastic cover over pet’s bedding
Avoid carpet/plush toys/anything with stuffing
•
•
•
•
Keep pets out of basements/damp areas
Avoid dusty pet foods
Eliminate house plants
Use and disinfect dehumidifiers frequently
• Reduce pets’ time outside
• Keep grass cut short
• Rinse off paws/underside when pet comes in
daily for several weeks to months to notice
significant improvement. Omega-3 fatty acids are
considered very safe and have very few side
effects.
It is important to use a fatty acid
supplement derived from fish body oil, as other
types of fatty acids – like omega-6 fatty acids – can
actually create an inflammatory response, making
allergies worse.
Topical Treatments
The first step in topically managing a pet’s
environmental allergies is to simply wash off the
dog’s feet and underside after he comes in from the
outside. This will remove any allergens he came in
contact with.
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Pet Allergies
Other topical therapy consists of shampoos,
rinses, and topical anti-itch solutions. This type
of management offers immediate but short-term
relief.
Many over the counter sprays contain
ingredients such as topical anesthetics to lessen
the severity of the itching, an antibiotic to
prevent secondary infection, and a bittering agent
to prevent constant chewing.
It is often
recommended to bathe atopic dogs every two
weeks or so with a hypoallergenic or oatmeal
shampoo. Weekly or even twice weekly baths may
offer increased relief for some dogs.
Topical sprays or solutions containing steroids such
as hydrocortisone may offer additional relief.
They are most appropriate when treating
localized itching, and as they are used in
moderation and are not readily absorbed into the
bloodstream, do not create the long-term side
effects associated with oral or injectable steroids.
Consult with your veterinarian for treatment with
any steroid containing products.
DEALING WITH ALLERGIES
Trying to pinpoint the source of your pet’s
allergies can be a time-consuming and frustrating
experience.
Using a combination of diagnostic
tools, managing a food trial, and utilizing various
treatment options, you can go a long way to
helping your dog live a more comfortable life.
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Pet Allergies
STILL NEED HELP?
PetPeople is greatful for the guidance and support
of Dr. John Gordon, DVM, Dip. ACVD.
CONTACT INFO:
Dr. John Gordon, DVM, Dip. ACVD
Board certified veterinary dermatologist
Medical & Cancer Center for Pets
300 E. Wilson Bridge Rd.
Worthington, OH 43085
Phone: (614) 846-5800
(800) 891-9010
Fax: (614) 846-5803
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work together to solve common pet problems. We
hope you will continue to come to us with questions,
problems or situations regarding your pets’ care. It
is our goal to be a partner with you and your
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veterinarian in the health and well-being of your pet.
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knowledge with you, we would never propose that
our recommendations be used instead of consulting
with your veterinarian about any concerns or issues.
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always use your best judgement regarding obtaining
the best care for your pet.
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