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Sad news. There is no cure for pet allergies. What we do have are ways to decrease allergen exposure and to addressing the symptoms. And, there are fatty acids that help make pets less likely to have exaggerated immune responses to allergens.
Avoiding allergens: mites, grasses, molds, and pollens
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Elimination allergens is a challenge. Among the techniques that help are running air filters, keeping windows closed, dusting with a damp cloth, vacuuming frequently using a HEPA-filtered vacuum, and not smoking. Wash bedding with hot water and use perfume-free detergent, rinsing twice. Choose cotton for bedding, and put cotton on the sofa if it is covered with a wool fabric. Keep your pet on tile or linoleum rather than carpet. Rinse soap from floors after mopping them. Pets should not be kept in garages, laundry rooms, damp basements and dusty barns.
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Keep pets off lawns when mowing and rinse off feet when they come in from the yard. Keep your pet indoors during early morning and late evening when pollen counts are high. Keep your pet off treated wood decks and out of a cedar dog houses. Avoid cedar chips in pet beds. Feed only fresh kibble that is not dusty. Store unfed kibble in the freezer. Use stainless or glass bowels rather than plastic. Completely eliminate fleas.
Antihistamines
Antihistamines such as Benadryl, are often the first drugs used when a pet develops allergy symptoms, but they are ineffective in 80% of pets. Some pets will respond to one antihistamine although they do not benefit from another. Common antihistamines include hydroxyzine (Rx), chlorpheniramine, diphenhydramine (Benadryl), and clemastine.
Steroids
Oral steroids significantly suppress allergy symptoms, but their ability to do so decreases the more often they are used. Thus, a steroid injection may help your pet be symptom free for 6 weeks the first time it is used, but after several injections, symptoms are eased for days rather than for weeks.
Typically, steroids are begun at high doses then tapered to small doses given every other day. Tapering the dose helps your pet avoid side effects such as irritability, aggression, increased appetite, increased urination, thin skin, poor haircoat, vomiting and diarrhea, liver abnormalities with elevated liver enzymes SAP and SGPT.
Steroids can be injected or taken orally so that they circulate and influence the entire body—systemic steroids—or they can be used topically. Topical steroids are safer than injected or oral steroids because so little is absorbed that the possibilities of side effects are minimal. Examples of prescription systemic steroids include prednisone and methylprednisolone. Examples of prescription topical steroids include eye drops (Prednisolone Ophthalmic), hair conditioner (ResiCort®), or triamcinolone skin spray (Genesis®).
If steroids do not relieve symptoms, including itching, look for causes that have not been eliminated: fleas, lice, mites, ringworm, and food allergies caused by flavored treats or flavored medications.
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Immune-modulators
Cyclosporine stops the WBC from stimulating histamine release. Because WBC are part of the immune system, cyclosporine is called an immune modulator. Cyclosporine resolves symptoms in about half the animals using it. It does have side effects, including upset stomachs, but its use may decrease the steroids that pets need. |
Cyclosporine is used for conditions in addition to allergies. For example, cyclosporine is used to treat pets with a bleeding disorder called immune-mediated hemolytic anemia (IMHA). With this diseases, cyclosporine can be life saving.
Immune-modulating allergy shots
Another immune-modulating technique is a series of allergy shots injecting whatever your pet is allergic to under its skin. This is an expensive therapy that helps some, but not all, pets. There is a lack of research evidence supporting this therapy and it can cause shock and anaphylaxis so it is not to be undertaken lightly.
Omega 3 fatty acids
Omega 3 fatty acids decrease the tendency for the pet’s immune system to over-react. It may take 3-6 weeks for the fatty acids to be incorporated into the cells in the body and ease allergy symptoms. Nordic Natural’s Omega-3 Pet may be the most helpful of all fatty acid products because of its purity and ease of assimilation. For pets that cannot accept fish oil, use Be Well, a powdered flax supplement.
Only 15% of dogs are significantly helped by fatty acids, and using poor products or products that combine Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids may be the cause of product ineffectiveness. For Omega 3s to be of benefit, they must contribute significantly to your pet’s intake of fat, so that it has about as many Omega 3 fatty acids in its diet as it has Omega 6 fatty acids. To learn more, visit the section on Omega 3 fatty acids.
Yucca
Yucca is a natural anti-inflammatory that helps the immune system function normally. It helps resolve symptoms without side effects common with steroids. Yucca is given daily for allergies. Yucca Intensive, a concentrated liquid medication is a powerful product that is safe for cats and dogs with allergies. It can also be given in food or applied directly to areas of itching skin.
Medicated Shampoos and Conditioners for Allergies
Shampoos and conditioners ease allergy symptoms. For example, Relief Shampoo contains pramoxine, oatmeal, and Omega-6 fatty acids to relieve itching. HyLyt Essential Fatty Acid Shampoo contains soothing emollients and moisturizers. Dermagard Medicated Shampoo and Corti-Care Shampoo contain hydrocortisone. Allermyl Shampoo also helps alleviate allergic symptoms.
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The articles here were answered by a variety of pharmacists and veterinarians
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