Some dog breeds can have a predisposition to allergies
ATOPIC dermatitis (atopy) is an inherited predisposition to develop allergic symptoms after repeated exposure to allergens such as dust, dust mites, grasses, or pollen. Most dogs begin to show their allergic signs between one and three years of age. A few dogs may show clinical symptoms as early as six months of age. It is also unusual to see clinical symptoms start after seven years of age.
Because the hereditary nature of the disease, several breeds, including golden retrievers, Labrador retrievers, most terriers, Irish and English setters, lhasa apsos, dalmatians, bulldogs, beagles, miniature schnauzers, pugs, boxers, American cocker spaniels, and Chinese shar peis are more commonly atopic.
Atopic animals usually rub, lick, chew, bite, or scratch at their feet, muzzle, ears, armpits, or groin, causing hair loss and reddening and thickening of the skin.
In some cases, several offending substances can "add" together to cause an animal to itch where each individual substance alone would not be enough to cause an itching sensation.
These substances include not only airborne allergens such as pollens, but allergens in food and from parasites such as fleas. Itching can also be exaggerated by bacterial or yeast infections of the skin.
Diagnosis of atopic dermatitis is based on clinical signs — areas of itching — and often, an initial seasonality to the skin problem.
However, some dogs will have no seasonality to their itching from the onset of their symptoms. In addition, many seasonally allergic dogs soon begin to scratch and rub year round.
Complete avoidance of the allergic substance may not be practical, but decreased exposure may be feasible. If your pet is allergic to pollen, decreasing the outdoor exposure especially at dusk and dawn is helpful.
Your pet should never be walked through fields with high grass or weeds and should not be outside when the lawn is cut.
Control of house dust or mites in the home can be a major undertaking, consisting of removing carpeting, covering mattresses, regular washing of the bedding, high-efficiency vacuums, avoiding stuffed toys, and frequent damp mopping of the areas most frequented by your pet.
Antihistamines and fatty acids are two therapies, when given in combination that can decrease the itching sensation in about 10% to 20% of atopic pets.
Your pet can be on antihistamines and fatty acids for life with no long-term problems. Steroids (prednisone, cortisone) can also be used to alleviate the itch. However, these drugs have potential side effects and are reserved for pets for where other therapy is not possible, therapy is ineffective or to control a severe itch for a short period of time.
Other drugs are available for long term treatment – your veterinary practice will be able to advise you about these options.
Products applied topically to the skin (shampoos, cream rinses, leave-on conditioners, gels, lotions, sprays) with anti-itch properties may also be of benefit. These products will usually need to be applied daily (sprays, gels, lotions), or a few times weekly (shampoos, cream rinses, leave-on conditioners).
Desensitisation vaccines can be formulated for your pet on the basis of results of a skin test or blood test. After an initial series of injections, periodic boosters are needed (every few weeks) for the remainder of your pets' life. 60% to 80% of animals improve with such vaccines.
However, desensitisation takes time. Improvement may not be seen for three to six months or longer.
If results are not seen within 9 to 12 months, a reevaluation of the vaccine usage is necessary.
Allergies are a lifelong problem and tend not to just go away. It is very important to work with your veterinary surgeon to try and control the allergy as successfully as possible.
Nancy and Michael Morrow own and run St Vincents Veterinary Surgery, an independent practice providing personal care to pets in and around Wokingham. For more information call the practice on 0118 979 3200 or visit www.stvincentsvets.co.uk