Certain breeds are more prone to allergies

Allergy is a heightened immune reaction to common environmental substances

The immune response can cause itchy skin, weepy eyes, hair loss and recurrent ear infections

Diagnosis is made through an Intradermal Allergy Test

What causes allergies?

• The exact mechanism that causes allergies to develop is unknown. What is known, however, is that atopy or the genetic predisposition to develop allergies is an inherited trait.
• Certain breeds are predisposed for atopy and they include Terriers, Retrievers, Spaniels, Dalmatians, Lhasa apsos, Shih tzus, Shar peis, Boxers, Setters, Bichons, Pugs and Schnauzers. It is the ability to develop allergies that is inherited.
• The items to which an animal will be allergic are not inherited. What a pet is allergic to depends to a large extent upon the items to which they have been exposed.

Why does my pet have allergic reactions?

• Allergy can be defined as a heightened immune reaction to common environmental substances. In an allergic pet, a normally harmless substance is mistakenly identified as a threat to the body. This harmless substance, or allergen, can be anything, but most are in the form of pollen grains, dust, mold, insects or foods.
• The immune system of an allergic pet will try to “fight off” the allergen by mounting an immune system response. It is this immune response that causes the itchy skin, weepy eyes, hair loss, and recurrent ear infections that are classic signs of allergy in animals.
• Inhaled allergy or atopy is the second most common skin disease of dogs and cats, probably affecting 10 – 20% of the canine population. Atopy usually starts in dogs between the ages of 1 – 3 years; however, it can be seen at any age. It can be seasonal or non-seasonal; usually it is non-seasonal in the south.

Clinical Signs

• The major clinical signs of atopy are:
  • Pruritus or itching, often of the face, ears, axillae (armpits) and ventral abdomen
  • Licking of paws
  • Erythema (redness) and alopecia (hair loss) are often associated as well as secondary infections with bacteria and/or yeast
  • Chronic allergic dogs may develop skin thickening and increased pigmentation
  • Recurrent ear infections are common and may be the only sign of atopy in some animals

Diagnosis

• Diagnosis of atopy is made through a thorough history, physical examination and intradermal (skin) allergy testing. Serological (blood) testing for inhalant allergies is available but is much less accurate than intradermal allergy testing. Neither intradermal allergy testing or serologic testing is accurate for food allergy testing.
• During the allergy skin testing, your pet is lightly sedated and one side from the rib cage to the rear abdomen is shaved. Forty seven allergens are injected into the skin and then the skin will react with variable redness (see figure right). These are recorded on the allergy test form and a copy given to you. Scores of two or greater are considered significant reactors.

Treatment

• After the intradermal allergy test is completed, a hypo sensitization vaccine will be specially formulated for your pet based on the allergy test results. Seventy-five percent of dogs and cats will have a good response to allergy vaccines.
• The vaccine will be given frequently during the initial build up phase, then given on a weekly basis. An individual vaccine schedule is provided once allergy testing has been completed. We recommend a minimum of two years on hyposensitization (vaccine) therapy to see maximum effects. Most animals will be continued on the vaccine therapy for up to 5 years.
  
• Some animals require retesting in the future do to newly developed allergens as the pet ages.

Case Example

West Highland terrier afflicted by severe atopy before treatment with allergy serum	This is the same patient after allergy serum administration