What Is Atopy In Pets?
The term "atopy" is also known as: atopic dermatitis, allergic inhalant dermatitis, eczema, or environmental allergies.
Atopy is a hypersensitivity to environmental allergens manifested through irritation of the skin and ears. It occurs in 10 to 15 percent of the dog population and tends first to appear when the pup is between one to two years old. Atopy in cats can occur at any age.
It is not uncommon for animals to have atopy in conjunction with other allergies such as
food hypersensitivity and flea allergy dermatitis.
Common Environmental Allergens In Pets
The most common allergens include airborne pollens such as grasses, trees, weeds, and fungal spores. Examples of indoor allergens include household dust mites, storage mites, wool, and feather. Some animals are even allergic to the dander from other animals in the same home.
Signs Of Environmental Allergies in Pets
Symptoms of atopy can be very similar to those of other
itchy skin conditions. Some common signs to look out for include:
Intense itching
Results in the animal’s constant scratching and biting of the irritated skin.
Areas most affected include the feet, the muzzle or face, armpits, groin, and ears.
Initially seasonal in 70% of animals but often become year-round.
Recurrent skin and ear infections
Secondary skin abnormalities
Result from the trauma caused by scratching the itch
These include redness, hair loss, crusts and scaling, ear problems, fur that is stained brown from saliva, and skin infections
Cats may vary widely in their symptoms
Can include facial itchiness, hair loss in equal patterns, raised and open sores, and bumps with bloody scabs.
How To Find Out If Your Dog Has Allergies
There is no reliable at-home test for allergies in pets. If you suspect your dog or cat is allergic to something in your environment, we recommend booking a visit with
your local vet or veterinary dermatologist. At this visit, your veterinarian will ask you about your pet’s history of symptoms and a physical examination will be performed to assess the presence of itching and skin lesions.
Before concluding a diagnosis of atopy, the veterinarian will need to rule out other skin diseases including
food hypersensitivity, flea allergy dermatitis,
sarcoptic mange, contact dermatitis, and yeast infection of the skin.
Diagnostic procedures can include:
Skin scrapings and fungal cultures
Intradermal skin testing - believed to be the most accurate of the allergy tests. This procedure should be performed by an experienced veterinarian or by a veterinary dermatologist.
Blood allergy testing - Less reliable than skin testing but can be used in conjunction with skin testing for accurate results.
Treatment Options For Environmental Allergies In Pets
Atopy is a lifelong disease that unfortunately cannot be fully cured. Atopic animals will need to receive treatment for the rest of their lives to control their symptoms and help keep them as comfortable as possible.
Treatment involves the avoidance of identified allergens when possible. When total avoidance isn’t possible for your pet, there are several options available to help manage their allergies:
Frequent bathing
Leave-on moisturizing foams
Glucocorticoid sprays
Essential fatty acid supplements
Medications:
Cytopoint®
Apoquel®
Atopica®
Corticosteroids
Allergen specific immunotherapy (ASIT) aka allergy shots
Uniquely formulated based on the pet’s specific allergies found through their skin test.
Over time, stimulates the pet’s immune system to become desensitized to allergens.
ASIT is the only non-medication treatment option for atopy.
Improvement of symptoms is achieved in about 80% of pets can be seen in ~3-12 months.
How To Prevent Allergies in Dogs and Cats
Since atopy is a condition of the immune system, there is no way to fully prevent the disease – but there are steps you can take to help minimize symptoms based on their known allergens:
Reducing dust and other allergens in the home
Closing windows
Keeping your pet indoors during high pollen season
Stay up to date on monthly flea prevention medication
Daily wipe-downs, weekly bathing, and frequent ear cleaning (using antibacterial or antimicrobial shampoos & flushes when needed)
Effected animals should ideally not be bred since predisposition to atopy may be genetically transmitted
What Breeds Are More Likely To Have Allergies?
There are many factors that can influence whether an animal develops environmental sensitivities. Just as in humans, genes play a large role in risk factor:
In dogs, females are affected more commonly than males
Geographical location can influence the animals affected
Dog breeds predisposed to atopy include:
Beagles, Boston terriers, Cairn terriers, Chinese shar-peis, dalmatians, English and French bulldogs, English setters, Labrador and golden retrievers, Lhasa apsos, miniature schnauzers, Scottish terriers, West Highland white terriers, and wirehaired fox terriers.
There are currently no cat breeds documented as higher risk
Overview Of Environmental Allergies in Cats and Dogs
Like humans, dogs and cats can be allergic to pollens, spores, and other allergens that appear in the environment seasonally, as well as substances found within the house such as dust and animal dander. While people tend to respond to these various allergens by sneezing and developing watery eyes, animals react by getting very irritated, itchy skin. This leads to constant scratching and chewing which can cause trauma to the skin and extreme discomfort.
Generally, symptoms worsen with age as chronic skin changes and new allergies develop. Symptoms can be controlled, but not eliminated so lifetime therapy is needed.
