our advice: ASK DR. CATE
Vet Rap by
Dr. Ryan Cate
Does Your Dog
Have Allergies?
Dr. Cate: My pet is starting to scratch and bite
himself all over. Does he have allergies?
Answer: Allergies are common in both dogs and
cats, although more prevalent in dogs, and usually
appear after a pet is over six months of age. An
allergy is where your pet’s immune system overreacts
in response to an irritant. That irritant could be a
seasonal allergy, an indoor allergy, allergies to flea
bites, or even food allergies.
Symptoms of Allergies:
Most owners are going to notice their pet scratching
either in one particular area, or all over their body,
licking and/or chewing their paws, or even cough-
ing and sneezing. You may also note brown staining
on your pet’s paws which is most likely caused from
your pet’s saliva and can stain light-colored hair.
These are all signs that your pet has an allergy. The
question remains, “What is the cause of this allergy?”
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Types of Allergies:
Environmental allergies are those caused from expo-
sure, and can be one of three types. Contact aller-
gies: this is something your pet comes into contact
with. This could be grass, certain types of chemicals,
shampoos, etc.
Inhalant allergies are allergies to things like dust,
mold, pollen, etc., or Atopic Dermatitis. These pets
typically have multiple allergies with severe symp-
toms that may even last year-round, and they may
have to remain on allergy medications to stay proac-
tive and keep their allergies under control.
Food allergies are much less common than envi-
ronmental allergies. Symptoms for food allergies can
be slightly different from environmental allergies.
Itching and scratching may still be present, but in
addition they can have soft stool, chronic ear infec-
tions, or even chronic vomiting. There are several
ways to test for food allergies, but the most effective
way is through a food trial. This would mean chang-
ing to a prescription diet and conducting a trial that
limits ingredients and has a “novel” protein, or a
protein source that is different from what the average
pet food contains.
Flea allergies are caused by a reaction after a flea
bites your pet. This type of allergy is easily treat-
able by not allowing fleas to bite. Having your pet
protected with a flea prevention is the best way to
treat this allergy.
Treatment
Treatment for pet allergies may be situational based
on the allergy type and severity. Your veterinarian
will be able to determine the best course of treat-
ment, which may require trial and error to see what
works best for your pet. Treatments can include
monthly/weekly injections or oral medications to
help with the itching, antihistamines, medicated
shampoos, and/or a special diet. All of this is best
determined with an exam and consultation with your
veterinarian.
Schedule an Appointment
If your pet is exhibiting signs or symptoms that you
think may be allergies, call one of our clinics to
schedule an exam today. Our team of veterinarians
will be able to work with you to determine the best
treatment plan for your pet.