Understanding Skin Allergies In Dogs and Cats

Just like us humans, dogs and cats can also suffer from skin allergies, which can cause irritation and discomfort for your furry family member. Skin allergies are among the most common conditions veterinarians see in pets across Australia and can cause symptoms ranging from repeated foot licking to infections and skin damage.

Continue reading to learn more about the symptoms, causes and treatments for skin allergies in dogs and cats.

What is a Skin Allergy for Dogs and Cats?

A skin allergy is often described as dermatitis, but it is an umbrella term for a wide range of allergies, caused by different things. Although it is not life-threatening, it can be a chronic condition and will require ongoing treatment to keep the allergies and symptoms under control.

What Are the Symptoms of a Skin Allergy?

The signs of a skin allergy in dogs include:

• Obsessive itching: Dogs who repeatedly lick, scratch, bite or chew a particular body part/area, such as their paws.

• Inflamed skin: Red and irritated skin lesions.
• Skin changes: Signs of flaky dandruff, a greasy or oily coat or calloused skin.
• Shaking their head: Repeatedly shaking their head, as if they have something in their ears.
  
• Rubbing their head: Repeatedly rubbing their face against furniture or other objects.

Signs of a skin allergy in cats include:

• Over-grooming: Excessive grooming and licking that can cause bald patches in your cat’s fur.

• Sores: Raw sores found on the head, neck and ears.

• Scabby or crusted skin: Crusty or scabby skin that is found on the back, neck and tail.

Other common symptoms for both dogs and cats may include:

• Thinning coat of fur
• Bleeding skin
• Bad smells emitting from the skin or ears
• Red and enflamed ears
• Excessive discharge from the eyes and ears

What Causes Skin Allergies?

Atopy (Atopic Dermatitis)

Atopic dermatitis is similar to eczema and hay fever in humans. It occurs when pets are exposed to environmental allergens, including mould, pollen, dust mites, and animal dander. Atopy is mainly seasonal and can be caused by absorption through the skin (due to a malfunctioning skin barrier) or by inhalation.

After several years of suffering with Atopy, the duration of the itchiness and irritation can increase in dogs. A cat’s atopy may not always be seasonal, making diagnosis more difficult.

Contact Allergy

Contact allergy occurs when an irritating substance or material comes into contact with your furry baby’s skin. Common irritants include weeds, grass, plants, household products, or certain materials.

Food Allergy

Some pets may be allergic to certain foods, especially proteins (meat and dairy products). This allergy can result in inflammation. It can cause itchiness, inflammation, and stomach issues such as vomiting and diarrhoea.

Food allergies can develop out of the blue and at any time, even if your furry family member has eaten the same food for years.

To determine whether your pet has a food allergy, introduce a hypoallergenic diet (eliminating certain foods over time and then reintroducing them gradually).  

Don’t introduce any new foods or treats during this trial period.

Flea Bite Allergy (Parasites)

A flea bite allergy can occur when an animal is allergic to certain proteins found in a flea’s saliva, which is injected into an animal’s skin when it feeds. Unfortunately, all it takes is one flea bite for your fur baby to have a bad reaction.

Dogs and cats are usually affected on their heads, necks, and tails, and warning signs to look out for include itchiness, redness, and fur loss.

The best way to avoid a flea bite allergy is to prevent and remove the presence of fleas altogether from your home. You can effectively do this by using flea prevention treatments such as Nexgard Spectra and Simparica Trio.

How To Determine Which Skin Allergy Your Pet Has

Determining which skin allergy your dog or cat has can take time, but it’s better to be sure so you know the best way to treat it.

If you notice persistent itching, flaky red skin and fur loss, it’s time to take your furbaby to the vet. Make sure you have a written record of the symptoms you have noticed. The vet will thoroughly examine your dog or cat and rule out other possible diagnoses, such as infections and parasites.

The vet will take a blood and skin sample. Once infections and parasites have been ruled out, a food trial will be recommended to determine if your pet has a food allergy. Certain foods will be removed from your pet’s diet and then slowly reintroduced.

If Atopy is suspected, your vet will carry out a few specialised tests to diagnose it:

• Blood test: A blood test will measure the levels of Immunoglobulin E (IgE) in your pet’s blood. This will help to identify sensitivities to specific allergens (moulds or pollens).
• Intradermal skin test: This test is usually carried out by a veterinary dermatologist. Your pet is lightly sedated while a patch of their fur is shaved, and small amounts of purified allergens are injected into their skin to see which cause a reaction (irritated skin).

How to Treat Your Pet

Depending on the type of skin allergy your pet has, there are different ways to treat it. In many cases, the aim is to control and treat the symptoms, rather than eliminate the allergy completely. Make sure you work with your vet to ensure an effective treatment plan is in place.

Some of the different treatment methods that may be recommended include:

• Apoquel: An oral tablet that can be taken daily to block the cytokines (signalling proteins that act as chemical messengers in the immune system). It provides fast relief.

• Oral corticosteroids: Oral anti-inflammatories that are used to treat allergies for a short period of time, as they may cause other side effects. They are also available in topical form.

• Allergen-specific immunotherapy: Hypersensitising injections are specially created in a lab to target your pet’s specific allergy, and are usually highly effective, although it may take some time for them to kick in.
• Antihistamines: If it works, it can effectively ease your furbaby’s symptoms. However, they don’t always work. Available in oral or topical forms.
• Antibiotics: While antibiotics don’t treat the actual allergy, they clear up any secondary bacterial infections that may occur.

• Shampoos: Some natural shampoos with oatmeal have anti-inflammatory properties, while medicated shampoos contain antifungal and antimicrobial agents. These shampoos ease symptoms and reduce inflammation.

How to Prevent Skin Allergies

Some of the best ways to prevent your furbaby from being affected by a skin allergy include:

• Hypoallergenic diets: If your pet is suffering from a food allergy, a hypoallergenic diet is the most effective way to prevent and treat it, as it determines the food your pet is allergic to and removes it from their diet.

• Flea/parasite prevention: It is the best course of action for pets with a flea-bite allergy. Removing these parasites from their environment eliminates the risk of an allergic reaction.

• Controlling your pet’s environment: If you know your pet is allergic to certain materials, keep them away from those materials.

• Grooming routine: Maintain a regular grooming routine to remove allergens that may be trapped in your pet’s fur.

• Clean your pet’s products: Regularly clean your pet’s bedding, food and water bowls to reduce the risk of parasite infestation and allergens.
• Keep your home and yard clean: Keep your home in good order, and make sure the grass and bushes in your yard are trimmed and neat to prevent any parasites or allergens.
• Be aware: Keep an eye out for signs or symptoms of skin allergies and act quickly.
  
  

At Potiki, we understand how precious your pets are. We also know that the unexpected can happen at any time, resulting in extremely high vet fees. These unforeseen circumstances are why it is best to be prepared with pet insurance. Potiki offer our customers flexible covers with excess and extras to give you and your family peace of mind. Visit our website to obtain a quick quote and explore our various coverage options.

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