By Dr. I. Elizabeth Borgmann. In this article we will be addressing a problem that will affect up to 20% of dogs and cats to some degree during at least part of their lives. This article will give you an overview of what allergies are and how we attack this problem. It will give you the background you need to understand what your vet is trying to achieve with the multiple steps you will undergo to get on top of this problem. In subsequent articles we will talk more about food allergies and the treatment of allergies.

First of all, just what is an allergy? It is easiest to view it as an excessive immune system response to an offending agent. The immune system has gone haywire and we need to settle it down. It may show up as itchy skin, recurrent skin infections, hives, intestinal problems (diarrhea, intermittent soft stool, bad breath, gas) and occasionally breathing problems. Unlike people, dogs do not experience the same degree of respiratory issues that people do with allergies. We do see respiratory issues more commonly in cats (feline asthma). By far, the most common clinical sign involves the skin.

Why do we have such a high incidence of problems with allergies in the Fraser Valley? This happens for the same reason that it happens in people. We have a lot of potential allergens in the Valley. We are exposed to the by-products of agriculture, industry and the temperate rain forest. We get the pollutants from the U.S. via the Sumas Prairie and from the city of Vancouver and suburbs. It all settles out here.

And yes, what you are reacting to can change over time. Remember those stories of children outgrowing their allergies, only to develop hay fever as adults? The same can happen to your pet. Pets have a shorter life span and therefore this is not as obvious as it is in people, but it can happen.
Just as with people, most pets who have allergy issues have problems with a multitude of agents. It could be food, fragrances, or pollens. You will only be able to eliminate, control or reduce a limited number of allergens. Is it worth the effort? Absolutely!

When treating allergies, our goal is to obtain the greatest possible comfort with the least number of drugs. The more potential allergens that are eliminated, the less expensive it is to treat your pet while using the lowest possible amount of drugs. By doing this, you reduce the side effects of the immunosuppressive drugs that are needed to keep an immune system gone haywire quiet. So yes, try to eliminate and control as many of the allergens affecting your pet as possible.
Where do you start? For the purpose of attacking allergies, it is easiest to divide the problem into three areas: food; the household; the external environment. You can control the first two. You can’t control the external environment and seasonal pollens.

Your vet may put your pet on a hypoallergenic diet. The first diet may not work. Does that mean you should give up, or that food is not the problem? No, you just may not have gotten the right food on the first try. Patience!! In our next article we will talk at length about food allergy trials. How do you know if your pet has one? How do you carry out a food trial test? What kind of foods are out there? Where do you start?

You can control your pet’s internal environment in much the same way as you would control the internal environment for people with allergies. Avoid fragrances (no scented laundry soap and fabric softener, no plug in air-fresheners, no incense, no scented candles, no scented hand lotion, no hair spray, no scented cleaning products). Remember, any scented product that you use will come into contact with your pet through your touch. Avoid carpets (laminate, hardwood and ceramic tile is better). If you have carpets – use area throw rugs that can be cleaned better and be periodically changed. Keep the windows closed and use an air conditioner instead. Change the furnace filter often. Vacuum often. Change bedding often. Wash bedding in hot water to kill dust mites. Bathe your pet often to remove topical allergens.

Controlling the outdoor environment is next to impossible. If you know your pet has grass allergies, walk them on the sidewalk instead of taking them to the park. If your pet has allergies to deciduous trees, walk them in a coniferous forest. Rinse them off with water after being outdoors. Be prepared for seasonal aggravation of allergies and know what signs to look for. Consider desensitization injections.

In the final article of this skin series we will talk about allergy treatments: nutraceuticals, allergy testing and desensitization, and medications.
The key thing to remember with allergies is that it is about management and not about curing. You can’t fix allergies but you can give your pet a good quality of life.

Dr. Borgmann has been practicing in the Fraser Valley for over 11 years and can be reached at the Whatcom Road Veterinary Clinic