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American Veterinary Center
Happier & Healthier Pets |
30-
El Gezira EL Wosta Street
Zamalik , Cairo, Egypt. 11211
Tel .# 02 27376664
Mob.# 016 8877005 |
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Visit
Us Today
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Like people, cats can suffer from allergies.
As in the human population, the
incidence of allergies in pets seems to be increasing.
While allergic humans may often sneeze, wheeze or even
have serious respiratory difficulties, cats show similar
symptoms, even to the point of developing asthma.
Allergic reactions in pets are mostly characterized by
skin problems, exacerbated by their primary
symptom—itching and scratching. Cat allergies fall into
three main categories: flea allergic dermatitis, atopy,
and food allergy. Many pets can be affected by one or
more allergy.
Food
Allergy
What is food allergy and what are
its symptoms?
Food allergy is an allergic
reaction to one or more ingredients in a pet’s food. The
most common allergens are beef and milk products, cereals
(wheat, corn, soya), chicken and eggs. The exact cause of
a food allergy is not known. Perhaps a change in the pet’s
immune system causes
certain ingredients to be perceived as “foreign,”
initiating inflammatory mechanisms to fight off the
perceived “intruder.”
The most common symptoms of a food allergy are itching,
licking or chewing. Otitis Externa (ear infection) along
with other skin problems are also common in conjunction
with food hypersensitivity. Some pets may also have
diarrhea and other digestive problems. Symptoms can appear
at any age, whether a pet has just started a new diet or
has been eating the same food for several years.
How is food allergy diagnosed?
The only effective way for your
veterinarian to diagnose a food allergy is to put your pet
on a “hypoallergenic” or “exclusion” diet for a minimum of
8–12 weeks. Such a diet contains ingredients to which the
animal has not been exposed in the past. Because the
source of protein causes most allergic reactions,
exclusion diets use proteins—often venison, fish or
duck—that are normally not found in regular pet food. An
exclusion diet may comprise home-prepared food or
prescription commercial hypoallergenic products.
If your pet has a food allergy, there should be a
significant reduction in the symptoms after the
recommended period on the exclusion diet. To identify all
the food allergens, your veterinarian will recommend
adding a single protein back into the diet every 1–2
weeks, while watching for a recurrence, or worsening, of
symptoms. If this happens, the veterinarian will recommend
removing the offending ingredient from the diet.
How is food allergy treated?
The best way to treat your pet’s
food allergy is to carefully monitor his or her diet, in
order to avoid flare-ups.
In rare cases, your veterinarian may also prescribe
antihistamines and corticosteroids.
Flea Allergy Dermatitis
What is flea allergy dermatitis
and what are its symptoms?
Flea allergy dermatitis (FAD), often called “flea bite
hypersensitivity”, is a skin disease caused by an allergic
reaction to flea saliva. A single flea bite can trigger
the disease’s intense itching. Cats with FAD scratch their
heads and necks. This often leads to “hot spots”, or
localized hair loss and skin infections. You may find
fleas and flea dirt (the flea feces look like black
specks) on your pet, although many cats with FAD have very
few fleas, since they are constantly licking and chewing.
How is flea allergy dermatitis
diagnosed?
Your veterinarian looks for the
usual signs (scratching, skin sores, the presence of fleas
and/or flea dirt). He or she may also perform a skin test
to confirm that fleas are causing the problem, as FAD
symptoms can resemble those of other conditions, including
external parasites (mites, lice), infections and other
allergies, that cause severe itching.
How is flea allergy dermatitis
treated?
The best way to treat FAD is to
prevent fleas from attacking your pet. Various
insecticides and insect growth regulators that eliminate
flea infestations are available. Your veterinarian can
recommend the right product for your pet. Daily vacuuming
and frequent washing of your pet’s bedding can also reduce
your home’s flea population.
To break the “itch-scratch” cycle that leads to skin
infections, your veterinarian may prescribe
corticosteroids, antihistamines and essential fatty acids
to relieve irritation. Warm water baths and anti-itching
shampoos and conditioners also help.
What is most important to realize is that there is no cure
for FAD: your pet will always be allergic to flea bites
and you must be continually on your guard to prevent
further problems. Flea prevention is a must.
Atopy
What is atopy and what are its
symptoms?
Atopy, or environmental allergy,
is an allergic reaction to airborne substances like
pollen, molds, house dust mites and animal dander (skin or
hair fragments). It is most common in dogs, but some cats
are also affected. The incidence of atopy depends as much
upon a pet’s genetic susceptibility as exposure to the
allergen itself. (An allergen is any agent causing the
allergic reaction.)
Itching, mostly around the face, feet, lower chest and
belly, is the primary symptom. Depending on the cause,
this may occur only seasonally (pollen) or year-round
(molds, dust mites and dander). “Hot spots”, other skin
infections and ear problems can develop. Frequent
scratching due to chronic irritation may lead to hair
loss. These signs can be seen from 4 months to 7 years of
age but are typically first noticed around 1–3 years of
age.
How is atopy diagnosed?
Atopy is confirmed through a
process of elimination. Other causes of itching, such as
fleas, mites, lice, bacterial and yeast infections, as
well as food allergies, must be ruled out first. Your
veterinarian will ask you for a detailed history of your
pet’s itching problem. Skin or serum (blood) testing for
different allergens may then be performed to help pinpoint
the exact cause.
How is atopy treated?
Atopy is a lifelong condition and
there is no known cure. However, there are a number of
ways to manage the problem :
- Anti-itch therapy, including the
use of drugs, medicated shampoos and conditioners.
- Removing the source of the
allergy from the environment as much as possible.
- Immunotherapy uses a series of
injections to gradually accustom your pet’s system to
the allergen(s) causing the problem. Although its
effectiveness varies, it provides at least some relief
for around 75% of pets with atopy.
- If the atopy is relatively mild
(for example, occasional itching during the pollen
season), you can use “Elizabethan” collars, T-shirts and
socks to reduce irritation by physically preventing your
pet from scratching or biting themselves.
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We understand that
your pet is a very special member of your family. |
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