Q: Our dog/cat seems to do a lot of itching and scratching. Could she have allergies?

A: Allergies are very common in dogs and cats. They experience many of the same symptoms that people are familiar with- itchy eyes, runny noses, skin problems, etc. The key to treating an allergy is determining the source. Sometimes this is easy, sometimes it can be very difficult.

The three main causes of allergies in pets are food allergy, flea allergy, and environmental allergies (inhaled dust, pollen, spores, etc). Food allergies can usually be treated with a strict food trial diet or a special diet with very small proteins. Flea allergy is surprisingly common in situations where there are very few (if any) fleas seen on the pet. The problem lies in the fact that most of the fleas are in the environment (house) and not on the pet. Flea treatment consists of good monthly flea preventative and may also include house treatments from time to time.

Environmental allergy (sometimes called atopy) is not as easy to treat. Since the pet can rarely be relocated to a new environment treatment often focuses on reducing exposure to known allergens. Many pets experience seasonal variance just like people. Some are worse in summer, some are worse in winter. Pets can be skin and blood tested for allergies in a manner similar to people. Allergy injections can be made for the pet based on the results of the skin and blood tests.

Anti-histamines, shampoos, fatty acid supplements, and many other treatments can help control the symptoms of allergies. To gain full control the allergy must be identified and treated appropriately. Remember that pets can have combinations of food, flea, and environmental allergy at the same time. This means that identifying and treating allergies can be frustrating and take time. Have patience and work with your veterinarian to help your pet through his or her allergy struggles.