Our pets can develop allergies just like us. The 3 major types of allergies we see in our dogs and cats are flea allergy, food allergies and atopic dermatitis (environmental or pollen allergies). While all three have pruritis (itchiness) as their primary manifestation, differences in patterning (location on the body where they itch) and seasonality may give clues as to which allergy may be involved.

Flea allergy is most prominent during the warmer months and primarily affects the rump and groin areas. Food allergies are non-seasonal; itching is generalized over the entire body. Atopic dermatitis may be seasonal or not and feet and face are the primary sites. These allergies are not mutually exclusive and many animals may have combinations of them.

Atopic dermatitis is a disease in which the immune system reacts abnormally to everyday substances such as pollens, animal dander, mold spores and mites. It may be caused by inhaling or ingesting the allergen, but most often is due to direct contact with animal’s skin. The condition is inherited and some breeds may be at greater risk. In most animals the initial signs of allergy appear within the first 2 to 4 years of life.

Seasonality of atopic allergies depends on what allergens the pet reacts to. Tree pollens are highest in spring, grasses and weeds are summer and mites and mold spores are year round but may be more prominent in winter months when pets spend more time indoors.

If your pet has been diagnosed with atopic dermatitis, a systematic treatment plan should be started. Antihistamines are safe and inexpensive but work in only 20 to 25% of cases. Bathing may remove allergens from the skin and can be effective in mild cases. Corticosteroids are nearly always effective in relieving symptoms of atopic dermatitis, but long-term side effects can be very severe. Allergy screening may determine what allergens your pet reacts to and avoidance of allergens or hypo sensitization (reducing a pet’s allergic response by injecting small amounts of the allergens to increase non-allergenic antibody response) can be of great benefit. Some newer medications including Cyclosporine have been beneficial in some cases.

Allergies are a complex disorder and can be complicated by other conditions such as bacterial or fungal infections, seborrhea, lice and other arthropod vectors as well as combinations of food, flea and atopic allergies. It is very important to your Veterinarian for you to be a good observer of seasonality, symptoms and response to any treatments.