Signs Your Cat Could Have Allergies In Canton Ga
Not every pet owner is aware that their pet can have allergies. You might suffer from hay fever each season, and your pet could also have seasonal allergies, just like you do. Cats can also have allergies to food or their environment, just like people can.
If you think that your cat might have allergies, you could be uncertain about what to look for to determine if they are experiencing allergies. Cats with allergies can display a variety of different symptoms, which can make it hard to get a diagnosis at first. You will probably need to work with your veterinarian to figure out what is causing your cats allergies. The more that you know about the symptoms that can be associated with cat allergies, the better off you will be when trying to figure out whether your cat is allergic to something or not.
Cat allergies can be hard to diagnose, and you will likely have to do a careful elimination plan to remove possible allergens from your cats environment until you see an improvement in their symptoms. Be ready to be patient and take the time to sort out the cause of your cats allergies so that they can feel better in the long run. While there are various medications that can help your cat to feel better while you are trying to figure out what is causing their allergies, you will want to get to the root of the problem to help them to feel their best each day.
Recognizing Pet Allergies When You Get A New Pet
CLEVELAND, OH – Pets can be a common gift around the holiday season, but is a new cat or dog the culprit behind your sneezing? Allergist Sandra Hong, MD, with Cleveland Clinic explains some of the symptoms that could mean you’re allergic to your four-legged friend.
“When people get a pet, they can have a lot of acute symptoms right away if they’re allergic,” Dr. Hong said. “Your eyes and nose could itch. You could also experience sneezing and a stuffy nose.”
Dr. Hong said people with pet allergies are reacting to proteins found in the animal’s fur, skin, urine and saliva.
Any pet can produce allergens, and there is no such thing as a hypoallergenic cat or dog.
With this in mind, there are some options to alleviate the symptoms of pet allergies.
Dr. Hong recommends keeping pets out of the bedroom and off furniture, especially if it has upholstery.
It’s also a good idea to put an air filter in rooms where your cat or dog spends a lot of time.
As far as cleaning, make sure to vacuum regularly and wipe down hard surfaces with a damp cloth.
Dr. Hong said the allergens that cats produce can linger a lot longer when compared to a dog.
“When it comes to cats, the protein we’re allergic to lasts and lingers for a long time, so that protein doesn’t break down for up to four months,” Dr. Hong said. “If a family decided to remove a cat from their home environment, or if you visited a family with cats, the protein lingers for four months.”
Is A Food Allergy In Cats Different From A Food Intolerance
Yes. A food intolerance is a reaction of the digestive tract, rather than the immune system, to a specific food. It occurs when an ingredient canât be digested properly or irritates the gut. Food intolerance reactions are often dose-dependent, which means that a small amount may be tolerated, and signs may only appear after a threshold limit is exceeded. Symptoms of a food intolerance are generally limited to gastrointestinal problems, such as vomiting, diarrhoea, flatulence or stomach pain.
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What Are The Risk Factors For Food Allergies In Cats
Genetic predisposition plays an important role in food allergies. Food allergies are also often related to atopy many cats react to both food ingredients and environmental allergens. See handout Inhalant Allergies in Cats for further information on atopy. Food allergies can develop in a cat any time after three months of age. Male and female cats are equally likely to develop food allergies.
How To Stop Your Cat From Sneezing
If your cats sneezing is not severe, the best way to stop your cat from sneezing is to take steps to prevent the irritation causing the sneeze.
- Make sure your cat is up-to-date on its vaccinations
- Be aware of the scents in your house Candles, air fresheners, certain laundry detergents, or cigarette smoke, may be the cause.
- Check out the litter box Some types of litter tend to kick up more dust when being used and may be the source of irritation.
- Be careful when cleaning It is important to keep your home clean, but it is also essential that you are careful with the disinfectant used around your cats space. The chemicals and any fruity scents may cause discomfort.
Sneezing allergies may be caused by a number of factors, including:
- Household cleaning products
- Fertilizers and pesticides
- Cat litter, as the litter contains fine particles that can irritate the nose of the cat
Any strong smell can irritate the nose of the cat and causesneezing. If the sneezing is in excess and the cat displays othersymptoms, he is more likely to be allergic.
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Are There Any Potential Side Effects
Cetirizine does not typically cause any side effects. Vomiting and increased salivation has been observed in some dogs. At high doses, sleepiness has been reported in small dogs and cats. Any side effects that are severe or worsen should be reported to your veterinarian.
This short-acting medication should stop working within 24 hours, although effects can be longer in pets with liver or kidney disease.
Allergy Skin Prick Test
This test is performed in your doctors office so they can observe any reactions.
Using a clean needle, your doctor will prick your skins surface , and deposit a tiny amount of the allergen. Youll likely be tested for several allergens at the same time. Youll also be skin pricked with a control solution that has no allergens. Your doctor may number each prick to identify the allergen.
In about 15 to 20 minutes, the skin prick site may become red or swollen. This reaction confirms an allergy to that substance. A positive cat allergy will usually cause a red, itchy bump to the cat allergen. These unpleasant effects generally go away 30 minutes after the test.
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Symptoms Of Allergies In Cats
All types of allergies can cause similar, overlapping clinical signs in cats. These symptoms vary in intensity and may develop over years.
Food Allergy
Food allergies can look very similar to environmental allergies. Not all cats with a food allergy will have gastrointestinal signs like vomiting, diarrhea, flatulence, and hypersalivation. Many will have skin symptoms, including itchiness, especially around the face, head, and neck. Food allergies are typically non-seasonal, meaning they occur all year round.
Atopic Dermatitis
Atopy, or environmental allergies, can mimic food allergies. Itchiness is the most reported clinical sign, in addition to ear infections, hair loss, skin plaques, and pustules. Often, cats have relapsing secondary bacterial and yeast infections. Atopy can also cause asthma-like respiratory issues, and conjunctivitis.
Flea Allergy Dermatitis
Flea allergies only affect the skin. Historically, cats with flea allergies either have poor or no flea control. The head and neck are most often affected, as well as the inner thighs and abdomen. Often, cats have intense itching resulting in self-induced trauma from itching, chewing, and rubbing to relieve the itch.
Allergic Contact Dermatitis
Cutaneous Drug Eruptions
Allergic Bronchitis
Allergic bronchitis is also known as asthma. Cats will typically wheeze, cough, and have labored breathing.
What Is Atopic Dermatitis Or Atopy
Atopic dermatitis or atopy generally refers to allergic reactions to environmental allergens such as pollens, grasses, molds, mildew, and house dust mites. Many of these allergies occur seasonally, such as ragweed, cedar, and grass pollens. However, others are always with us, such as molds, mildew, and house dust mites. When humans inhale these allergens, we express the allergy as a respiratory problem. In humans, atopy is sometimes called ‘hay fever’. The cat’s primary reaction to atopy is severe, generalized itching.
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Crummy Tummy: Cat Food Allergies
Like humans and dogs, cats can suffer from a number of different allergies, including those relating to their diet. Cat food allergies are a common concern among feline owners who wonder if their cats symptoms are due to what they eat. If your cat is having symptoms that include itching, digestive upset, or even sneezing, they may be allergic to ingredients in their food.
Oakland Veterinary Referral Services explores cat food allergies, symptoms to look for, and how to help your favorite kitty through effective allergy treatment.
Symptoms Of Food Allergies Can Include:
- Excessive itching and licking with little seasonal variation: Similarly to atopic dermatitis, a cat with food allergies will also itch and lick excessively, except theyll do it year round with little seasonal variation.
- Sores and crusty bumps: A cat with food allergies may develop small sores and crusty bumps on their skin.
- Hair loss: The excessive itching and licking can lead to hair loss on both sides of a cats body.
- Reddened, swollen skin: If you notice your cats skin looks red or swollen, that means theyre likely suffering from some type of food allergy.
- Ear infections: Food allergies cause an inflammation of the skin, which can increase the temperature and moisture in a cats ear. This makes the area more susceptible to yeast and bacteria, thus leading to ear infections.
- Vomiting: When a cat is suffering from a food allergy, they can develop gastrointestinal issues, such as vomiting.
- Diarrhea: If your cat has an allergic reaction to a particular food in their diet, this can lead to cat diarrhea.
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Managing Atopic Dermatitis In Cats
Atopic dermatitis is a diagnosis of exclusion. This means that your cat has consistently been on flea preventatives, has completed a food trial, and is still very itchy. At this point, the treatment options include:
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Continuing to use corticosteroids
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Using an immunomodulatory medication like Atopica
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Blood testing for allergies to start immunotherapy
Corticosteroids
Corticosteroids are anti-inflammatories, which means that they reduce the inflammation associated with cat skin allergies. Commonly used corticosteroids are prednisolone and triamcinolone.
Possible side effects include increased thirst and kidney injury. In cats, corticosteroids are usually quite safe, but they must be used at a dose that is as low as possible while still controlling your cats skin disease.
Atopica
Atopica, also called cyclosporine, suppresses the immune system cells that are associated with allergies so there is less inflammation. Possible side effects of cyclosporine are stomach upset and diarrhea, but it is generally considered safe in cats.
Allergy Shots
The final possibility for atopic dermatitis is immunotherapy, or allergy shots. Immunotherapy means that we are trying to change how the immune system sees the antigens so that it no longer reacts.
This starts with a blood or skin test to figure out exactly what environmental antigens your cat is reacting to. Once the test has shown what your cat is allergic too, a laboratory makes a serum of the antigens.
Allergies In Cats: How To Spot Treat And Prevent Them
We humans know allergies are no fun. But what about our furry friends? Can a cat have allergieseven indoor ones? They sure can, says Brian Evans, DVM, from Dutch. And feline allergies can disrupt your cat’s daily life as much as human allergies disrupt ours. Allergies in cats can wreak havoc on everything from the upper respiratory system to the skin and the GI tract.
You might feel hazy when it comes to discerning feline allergies from other conditions, like a kitty cold or asthma. But with the right tools, you can spot the signs of an allergy attack and work with your vet to find your cat relief. Some allergies may even resolve with a few simple tweaks at home.
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How Can I Help My Kitty
There are supplements and medications your veterinarian may recommend that can help your cat overcome seasonal allergies. There are also different precautions you can take at home. Bathe your cat to wash all allergens out: however, take care not to bathe too often as this can lead to dry skin and increased irritation. Alternately, you can wipe your cats fur with a warm wet washcloth to remove surface irritants. Make sure to keep your home clean by vacuuming and washing your floors with non-toxic cleaners. Keep your windows shut to avoid allergy-causing molecules from entering your home.
You can also help your kitty by strengthening the immune system. Make sure you use a cat species-appropriate diet with no inflammatory foods to keep your cats immune system healthy. You can also add Omega-3 fatty acids and coconut oil to strengthen your cats immune system further.
How Do Allergies Affect Cats
One of the most common medical conditions affecting cats is allergy. An allergy occurs when the cat’s immune system overreacts or is hypersensitive to foreign substances called allergens. Allergens are foreign proteins that the body’s immune system tries to remove. Examples of allergens common in humans are pollens, dust, molds, and pet hair. Hypersensitivity in cats can manifest in one of three ways:
“Allergens are foreign proteins that the body’s immune system tries to remove.”
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How Is Atopy Treated
Treatment depends largely on the length of the cat’s allergy season. It involves one of two approaches:
- The first approach involves the use of corticosteroids , as well as improving the health of the hair and skin coat using spot-ons, sprays and/or shampoos. Steroids will dramatically block the allergic reaction in most cases and bring about rapid improvement in the cat’s clinical signs. Steroids may be given orally or by injection, depending on the cat’s condition. If steroids are appropriate for your cat, you will be instructed in their proper use.
- Treatment with antihistamines and essential fatty acids is variable. Some cats respond well to a particular antihistamine , while others are ineffective. It is important to understand that it can take up to 7-10 days before antihistamines become effective, therefore they are often infective in sudden flare-ups. Likewise, essential fatty acids are similarly ineffective during sudden episodes because they require several weeks to take effect. Cats predisposed to atopic dermatitis should be tried on fatty acid supplements to see if they help lessen future flare-ups and clinical signs.
Any cat suspected of having atopic dermatitis should also be considered for a hypoallergenic food trial. Many cats with atopic dermatitis are also allergic to an ingredient in their food, making diagnosis and treatment more challenging. As previously mentioned, this food trial should last 8 to 12 weeks in most cases.
Different Types Of Allergies In Cats
Although there are a wide variety of allergens that can trigger a reaction in cats, there are some commonly seen types in cats that can affect their respiratory, dermatological, and gastrointestinal health.
Environmental Allergies In Cats
Some of the most common causes of allergies in cats are environmental in nature pollen, fungi, mold, dust, grass, and weeds can trigger an allergic reaction that affects their breathing or causes itchy skin dermatitis. They can also be allergic to indoor allergens like perfume, smoke, certain cleaning products, some types of flea-control products, prescription drugs, and some types of cat litter.
Flea Allergy
Despite the common term, cats can be allergic to more than fleas they can have an allergic reaction to a number of insect bites and stings. As humans can have an allergic reaction to a wasp sting, cats can experience a similar exaggerated inflammatory response to bites and stings from insects like blackflies, horseflies, mosquitos, ants, ticks, spiders, bees, wasps, and, of course, fleas. Cats that have a severe allergic reaction can become extremely itchy from even just one flea bite, which can lead to aggressive itching and scratching. This can cut or damage the skin, putting your pet at greater risk of infection and a cycle of further itchiness and skin wounds.
Food Allergy
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What Is Flea Allergy And How Is It Treated
Flea allergy is the most common allergy in cats.
In spite of common belief, a normal cat experiences only minor skin irritation in response to fleabites. On the other hand, a cat with flea allergies has a severe reaction to even a single fleabite. This reaction is an allergic response to proteins or antigens present in the flea’s saliva. When a flea bites a cat to consume a blood meal, some of its saliva is injected into the skin. Just one fleabite may cause such intense itching that the cat may severely scratch or chew itself, leading to the removal of large amounts of hair. There will often be open sores or scabs on the skin, resulting in a secondary bacterial skin infection . The area most commonly involved is over the rump or base of the tail. In addition, the cat may have numerous small scabs around the head and neck. These scabs are often referred to as miliary dermatitis, a term that was coined because the scabs look like millet seeds .
“This reaction is an allergic response to proteins or antigens present in the flea’s saliva.”
