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Do you notice your pet itching as soon as spring arrives? Your pet may be suffering from atopic dermatitis, also known as seasonal allergies. The most common cause of these allergies is environmental. But what does this mean? An environmental allergy is in fact an over-reaction of the immune system to normally harmless substances present in the environment, called allergens. The main allergens responsible for itching include, but are not limited to, tree, grass or weed pollens, dust mites, molds, animal dander and chemicals (cleaners, perfumes, aerosols, etc.). The latter can penetrate the skin or infiltrate the respiratory tract, causing inflammation. What's more, following the onset of pruritus, the animal often develops imperfections or lesions in the skin barrier, affecting its effectiveness as a protective barrier against pathogens. The combination of these two factors means that dogs and cats with atopic dermatitis are more susceptible to bacterial and fungal infections.
Now, how can you tell if a pet has seasonal allergies?
Well, first of all, does the animal present one or more of the clinical signs associated with this diagnosis? In dogs, we often note chronic itching especially on the face, legs and belly, excessive licking of the legs, red or thickened skin especially on the abdomen and armpits, hair loss or the presence of scabs or pimples. Recurrent ear infections in dogs can also be caused by allergies. In cats, the clinical signs are much the same: itchy skin, often on the head and neck, excessive grooming, patches or ulcers, or localized hair loss. Otitis, rhinitis and conjunctivitis can also result from environmental allergies. These symptoms generally appear between May and October in adult animals aged 1-3 years, and tend to worsen over time if left untreated. Genetic factors also influence the development of the disease. If the biological parents are allergic, or if the individual's breed is genetically predisposed to allergies, then the animal will be all the more likely to develop seasonal allergies as an adult.
Establishing a diagnosis of atopic dermatitis, or seasonal allergies, is usually a multi-step process. In such cases, it's crucial to start by ruling out other causes, such as parasites, skin infections unrelated to allergies, or the presence of food allergies. This involves a rigorous course of antiparasitics, as well as treatment of possible bacterial and fungal infections. Once these have been eliminated or controlled, symptomatic or therapeutic care options for atopy can be undertaken.
A particularly important concept for any pet owner suffering from allergies is that allergies are a chronic disease, not curable, but controllable with the right treatment. The earlier a pet is treated, the better its quality of life will be, and this is the aim of therapeutic treatments. To begin with, the most obvious action is to avoid or reduce contact with the allergen as much as possible. You can wipe your pet's coat and paws daily to try to reduce contact time with the allergen, and keep his coat relatively short to avoid accumulation of the allergen in the fur. In the same vein, the use of soothing or therapeutic shampoos on a weekly basis is often recommended by vets. It's a simple way to remove allergens, reduce the proliferation of bacteria and yeast, and soothe irritated skin. The idea is to use moisturizing and repairing ingredients on clean skin after bathing, to repair the skin barrier and promote healing. The use of essential fatty acids such as omega-3 and -6 is also beneficial to ensure the development of a healthy skin barrier. Antihistamines, meanwhile, can help some cats and dogs, but they're not always very effective... Instead, they're used to reduce the dose of other, more expensive medications to control itching. It is essential, however, to consult a veterinarian before administering an antihistamine to your pet, especially if it is a medication designed for humans, in order to validate whether it is safe for him/her and to determine the appropriate dose. Corticosteroids such as prednisone, prednisolone or dexamethasone are much more commonly used to relieve itching and, bonus point, they're inexpensive and very effective! However, like all medications, they come with their own list of side effects, such as excessive food and water consumption and heavy urine production. There are also immunomodulating drugs such as oclacitinib (Apoquel®) and cyclosporine (Atopica®), which are considerably more expensive, but highly appreciated for their effectiveness in relieving the symptoms of atopy. Once again, side effects are to be expected, such as the gastrointestinal problems that accompany cyclosporine. In the case of oclacitinib, few side effects have been noted, but its maintenance can result in a fairly hefty bill for the owner... Finally, immunotherapy using Canine Atopic Dermatitis Immunotherapeutic injections or Cytopoint® is becoming increasingly popular, due to the simplicity of the treatment. An injection of antibodies is administered subcutaneously once a month by your veterinarian, in dogs only, and rapidly reduces inflammatory reactions such as pruritus, often in as little as 24 hours!
If you suspect that your pet is suffering from atopic dermatitis, it's perfectly possible to begin treatment via telemedicine. Don't hesitate to make an appointment with a Neovet veterinarian to discuss your dog's or cat's symptoms. The less itchy he is, the more he can enjoy his time with you!
