Gail Friedman of Oak Brook, Illinois, became concerned when her Parson Russell Terrier, Mr. Friedman, was constantly licking his paws and appeared uncomfortable. Despite her attempts to alleviate the situation by putting baby socks on his feet and frequently washing them, nothing seemed to help. Eventually, it was revealed that Mr. Friedman had allergies.
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Allergies in pets are common and can stem from various sources such as pollen, dust, mold, chemicals, and certain foods, making them a complex issue for pet owners. Veterinarians highlight the importance of recognizing and addressing these allergies to improve the pets' quality of life.
Pets, much like humans, can suffer from allergies due to an overreactive immune system. They can be affected by similar allergens, including environmental triggers and pests like fleas. Although there are no definitive recent statistics on the prevalence of allergies in pets, veterinarians point out a growing trend.
Dr. Karen Woodard, medical director at Thrive Pet Healthcare-Elmhurst in Illinois, points out that she encounters allergic cases multiple times a day. Approximately 90% of allergic pets react to environmental factors, while the remaining 10% have food allergies. Certain dog breeds, including terriers, boxers, and bulldogs, as well as specific cat breeds like Persians, Siamese, and Himalayans, are particularly susceptible to allergies. Interestingly, pets can even develop allergies to other animals or to humans.
Identifying allergies in pets can be tricky. Unlike humans, allergic cats and dogs may not present with classic symptoms like sneezing and coughing. Instead, they often scratch, lick themselves excessively, shake their heads, and may develop ear infections. Woodard shared that her Yorkie mix, Teddy, exhibited signs of allergies as a puppy, showing symptoms like scratching and ear infections due to local environmental allergens. Cats may display allergic reactions through excessive grooming, creating bald patches on their skin without visible injury.
Food allergies, frequently to proteins like chicken or beef, can manifest on the skin or result in gastrointestinal issues. While rare, pets can also experience severe anaphylactic reactions from things like insect stings. For most pets, allergies simply make them miserable.
As allergy season approaches, pet owners often need to be proactive in managing their pets' conditions. The first step is obtaining a proper diagnosis from a veterinarian, which may include allergy testing or an elimination diet for food allergies. Treatment for environmental allergies may involve medications such as anti-inflammatories or new oral and injectable options to reduce itchiness. Food allergies may require specialized diets like hydrolyzed food with broken-down proteins.
Gail Friedman estimates she has spent about $10,000 on testing and care for her allergic dogs. However, there are home remedies that can assist in managing allergies, such as regular cleaning of bedding, wiping their fur, and frequent baths. Vets recommend bathing allergic dogs at least once a week to remove allergens collected from the outdoors.
Despite the ongoing struggle with allergies, Friedman remains committed to finding effective solutions for her dogs. "I’m going to keep experimenting until we find what stops it completely," she stated. "All you can do is try."
The Associated Press Health and Science Department is supported by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute's Science and Educational Media Group and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.