Signs & Symptoms of Allergies In Dogs And Cats

Dog and Cat Allergy Signs and Symptoms

Cat & Dog itching (Skin & Ears)

Dogs and cats with allergies are itchy. They itch because histamine is released when the immune system attacks the offending allergen. Areas of the skin that most often itch are ears, eyes; feet—even between the toes—arm pits, groin, and around the anus. This itching (pruritus) causes feet biting, head shaking, face rubbing, and bottom scooting. Some pets also bite or scratch their bellies. About 60% of cats that pull out their hair (barbering) and have bald spots (alopecia) have itchy skin from food allergies.

Because allergic pets scratch, they damage the skin (dermatitis). Yeast grows rapidly on damaged skin, causing more itching (Malassezia dermatitis). Yeasty infections are stinky, and that’s why many allergic pets have stinky, itching skin infections. Similar events cause ear infections: Ears itch, the pet scratches, yeast multiplies, and the ears itch even more. Eventually bacteria multiply within the ear.

Ear infections (otitis externa) may be more common than skin infections because the ear is often the first part of an allergic pet’s body to develop pruritus. Half the dogs with allergies have ear infections as their only obvious problem. Over time, these infections can progress to chronic ear inflammation and deafness.

Some allergic pets itch more than ever when they come home from the groomer. This occurs if the groomer uses heavily scented soaps and conditioners. Some groomers clip the pet’s hair so short, especially along the bottom, that the clippers further irritate already itchy skin. These pets come home from the groomer and rub themselves on the floor, carpet, and sofa.

Bacterial Skin Infections Caused by Allergies

If your cat or dog is scratching frequently, bacteria can enter breaks in the skin and begin multiplying. Some of these bacteria, such as Staphylococcus, Streptococcus and Pseudomonas, cause serious infections so that pets need antibiotics to recover. Antibiotics clear the skin infection but do not remove the underlying problem, which is allergies. Without addressing the tendency to be allergic, cycles of reoccurring skin and ear infections are likely.

Many allergic pets slide on their bottoms (scooting) because the rectal area itches. Scooting looks funny but aggravates the two anal sacs located on either side of the rectum and anal sac abscess occur.

Dog and Cat Food Allergies and Digestive Problems

Food allergic pets may burp and vomit, pass gas, have diarrhea, and lose weight. Some do not have diarrhea, but have frequent stools. Food allergies are the third most common cause of skin disease—after flea allergies and atopy.

For dogs and cats, the most common sign of food allergy is itching (pruritus) and scratching. Other signs of food allergies are head and neck itching, miliary dermatitis, eosinophilic granulomas, swollen lymph nodes, hives, and conjunctivitis.

The articles here were answered by a variety of pharmacists and veterinarians   Date Category Topic 06/29/06  Allergy  SNEEZING, SCRATCHING EARS 06/16/06  Allergy  WHAT ARE THE SIDE EFFECTS TO USING REVOLUTION 05/17/06  Ear Care  RECURRING INFECTION IN ONE EAR 05/08/06  Digestive Care  CONSTANT LOOSE STOOLS 05/05/06  Allergy  ALLERGY AND HEARTWORMS 04/30/06  Vitamins/Nutritional Supplements  NATURAL VITAMINS TO REPLACE PREDNISONE 04/29/06  Digestive Care  DIGESTIVE PROBLEMS 04/28/06  Digestive Care  CONTINUOUS VOMITING 04/27/06  Ear Care  OTITIS EXTERNA 04/21/06  Eye Care  GLAUCOMA 04/11/06  Digestive Care  CAT VOMITS 3-4 TIMES A DAY 03/31/06  Eye Care  DRY EYE 03/27/06  Digestive Care  CONSTIPATION 03/20/06  Allergy  MY SWEET LUCY-LOU 03/10/06  Ear Care  SCRATCHY/SCABBY/BLOODY EARS 1 2 3 4 »»

 

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