This is a topic near and dear to my heart. I've been allergic to different hay fever issues, and crazily enough, as a veterinarian, I have a cat allergy. I'm almost embarrassed to say that! However, over the years, I've learned and worked with my allergist to come up with ways to manage this allergy to the point where I can see cats all day long without my face blowing up like crazy. That's my goal, too. When I see your pets coming in, and we see a lot with environmental allergies, there are many things we can do to manage that allergy.
We're probably never going to be able to fully treat the allergy, meaning I'm not going to make it go away completely, but I want to manage it. I want to ensure that most of the time they're feeling pretty darn good. They may get an occasional flare-up, and that's to be expected. Sometimes, if I see 30 cats in a day, I'm going to have some reaction to it. However, 99% of the time, I want to manage your pets so they feel comfortable at home. If there is a flare-up, we can try other treatment options and get those under control, too.
How do I know if my dog or cat has an environmental allergy?
A lot of times, during the consult when you're speaking with us, I want to get a good history from you. I want to know when it first started, how long it's been going on, which areas are itchier than others, and all that can help me figure out if this is an environmental allergy. Most dogs with environmental allergies typically start showing signs around the age of 1 to 3. In fact, three-quarters of our dogs with environmental allergies will first show signs within that 1 to 3 years of age. Some breeds are more prone to getting it. Our Goldens, Labs, Westies are huge, as well as Frenchies, Bulldogs, and any of our Terrier breeds.
What happens with allergies is these environmental things, a little bit is probably inhaled, but a lot of it actually gets in through the skin. Our skin is a normal barrier meant to protect us from weird environmental allergens causing a reaction. However, in allergic patients, that skin barrier gets broken down a little bit. Pores get more dilated, allowing more pollens and danders to seep into the skin and cause these reactions. We see it a lot in mainly indoor pets, too. We think, why is that the case when they’re indoors and not around pollens and danders?
What are environmental allergies for my dog or cat?
Unfortunately, everything outside gets concentrated in our homes as well. Our HVAC units blow the air from outside. Anytime you open the door, all the air in your house has to come from outside, and then we trap it all within the confined space of the house, concentrating some of those different things in your couches and carpets. All of that builds up and causes more reactions in our pets. I'm looking for those types of signs. Are they having chronic infections, meaning multiple skin infections, multiple ear infections throughout the year? Is there seasonality to it? Is it every time you come to see us for skin issues, it's around April and May or October, November? Maybe certain things in the environment during that season happen year after year when you come to see us. We look at those issues to determine if this might be an environmental allergen, and then we consider what treatment options to pursue.
How are environmental allergies treated for dogs and cats?
Normally, for treating these cases, we're always worried about a secondary skin infection. We have a normal amount of bacteria and yeast in our ears and on our skin at all times. When you have allergies, your skin often becomes more inflamed. More inflammation makes it a better environment for bacteria and yeast to grow. If that starts growing more than normal, it causes even more inflammation, and then more bacteria and yeast grow, creating a cycle. I need to treat the infection if I think there is one and also treat the inflammation. Then, we figure out our long-term strategy to prevent recurrence, ensuring we get this under control.
Clearing infections may involve topical therapies like mousses, sprays, or shampoos with antibiotic, anti-yeast, or fungal medications. Some topicals also help the skin barrier. Omega-3 fatty acids help the skin barrier and, if taken routinely over at least two months, can aid in reducing inflammation, like fish oil supplements or a salmon fish-based diet. Other medications include steroids, either orally or injectable, to decrease inflammation and itch. Oral medications may help decrease the itch signal in the body, inhibiting or slowing down the signal from reaching the brain. Injectable medications can do similar things by binding to the actual itch messenger that goes to the brain. If it binds, it never reaches the brain, and the brain doesn't realize it's itchy.
Bathing your pet with medicated shampoos or just bathing them in general can remove some of those pollens and danders before they seep into the skin badly. We can discuss all these things during our consult. If you have these issues or think your dog may have an environmental allergen, come in, check out our schedule at carolinavaluecare.com, and see where our next clinic is near you. When checking in, let them know you would like to speak with the veterinarian about skin issues. There is a small charge associated with the exam fee, but we cover a lot and, like my cat allergies, I hope to manage your pets' allergies, ensuring they are comfortable. If there's a flare-up, we can address it promptly to make them feel better.
If you’re searching for veterinary care you can rely on, we’re here to help. Call (704) 288-8620 or email info@cvpet.com to schedule your pet’s appointment. Our team is committed to keeping your pet happy and healthy.