05/24/2024
Itchy ? Not so fun fact is Virginia Beach is ranked as second on the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America’s list of most challenging cities.
Where we typically suffer from respiratory signs from our allergies, our feline and canine friends typically present with itching. In fact, this condition is often referred to as “The Tidewater Itch” in Hampton roads because it is so very common. Although allergies are more commonly caused by pollen, they can also be caused by food and even fleas. Allergies are more common in dogs but do occur in cats as well.
Typically, our patients present with excessive itching that leads to skin, feet, and ear infections as well as increased “doggy” odor. Food allergies are more likely to manifest in younger patients (under 2 years of age), while pollen allergies are likely to manifest after 2 years of age. Skin infections can present with little red bumps on the skin, crusts forming, hair loss, and increased pigment of the skin. It can be a vicious cycle as itching leads to the infection, but then the infection increases the drive to itch. Ear infections present with typical flapping of the ears and head, red ears, and discharge from the ear. The increased doggy odor is usually from what is called seborrhea which is increased sebum production.
Treatment usually involves clearing the infections present with anitibiotics and bathing your pet in medicated shampoos that target your pet’s specific issues. To address the allergy itself may involve a food trial, allergy medications such as apoquel or cytopoint, or allergy hyposensitization injections or oral serum. Frequent bathing also helps pollen allergic patients as they absorb the pollen through their skin. A food trial usually consists of feeding a prescription food and only that food for a period of up to 12 weeks. Normal allergy testing is not accurate in our veterinary patients for food allergies, unfortunately, only a food trial is effective.
Photo is Samson showing off his hair loss from his itchy allergies. We love you Samson.
