In the last column, we discussed allergies in pets as a general
topic and then specifically talked about seasonal allergies. This
is the equivalent of
”
hay fever
”
for dogs and cats because it is driven by seasonal exposures to
pollens, dust mites and other allergens.
In the last column, we discussed allergies in pets as a general topic and then specifically talked about seasonal allergies. This is the equivalent of “hay fever” for dogs and cats because it is driven by seasonal exposures to pollens, dust mites and other allergens.
The hallmark of seasonal allergies is the ebb and flow aspect. When dietary allergies are involved they tend to be a problem 365 days a year. This is logical because the allergen, the cause of the allergy, is present 365 days a year.
As with seasonal allergies, the symptoms of dietary allergies tend to be related to itchy, irritated skin – especially the feet and ear flaps; but gastrointestinal problems like chronic vomiting can also occur.
When the symptoms are 365 days a year we will start by using antihistamines, cortisone and antibiotics as indicated to control the immediate symptoms; but the real test is in using a trial diet.
There are many dietary ingredients that can cause allergic reactions. These range from meat products to any ingredient that has either protein or glycoprotein in it. (Glycoproteins are a combination of a protein and a carbohydrate including all the grain foods). Protein based ingredients are those that are the most allergenic.
It is important to understand that the basis of allergies is an over response of your immune system. The immune system wrongly perceives a substance as being dangerous and mounts a response to defend the body from that perceived threat. The allergic response then ironically becomes the real damaging event. Histamines, leukotrienes and prostaglandins are among the chemicals released in the chemically damaging allergic reaction. These occur in both the seasonal and the food based allergic responses.
It is also important to know that the body is extremely unlikely to be allergic to something it has not experienced before. Previous exposure allows the “sensitization” to occur, which is necessary for an allergic reaction.
For dietary allergies there are many so-called solutions, with two that work on a consistent basis. Most of the dietary “solutions” are simply food sources that your pet in not likely to have eaten before. If your pet has not been exposed to an antigen, it cannot cause allergies; so things like venison, duck, rabbit and potatoes are used. The problem with these is that your pet MAY have been exposed to them. In these cases a poor response may occur giving a false impression that diet is not the problem.
There are just two truly non-allergic diets that I know of that are commercially available. One is ZD Ultra by Hills, the scientific side of the Science Diet line. The other is called HA and is made by Purina Pro Plan Diets. Both of these products are based on extensive processing that renders the absorbed nutrients too small to be detected by your pets’ immune system. Technically the particle size absorbed is less than 10,000 Daltons (a Dalton is about the mass of one hydrogen atom – 10,000 Daltons would be too small to see with the naked eye).
When these diets are used under well controlled circumstances we have a scientific trial. It takes two to three months of eating nothing but one of these diets. That means no treats. In the meantime, we treat the symptoms to restore normalcy. The test then is whether normalcy persists without medications, while on this dietary trial.
If allergy symptoms that have been present for years go away and stay away, the diagnosis is made. In these cases keeping your pet on the trial diet for life is the best solution. It will make your pets’ life much happier – and yours also.
One complication can be that your pet may have a combination of dietary and seasonal allergies. In those cases we still have a vast decrease in the seriousness and frequency of problems. There will be seasonal variation in the level of control; but we also end up with a vastly improved quality of life for you and your pet.
As a last word there is also a diet that does wonderful things for dogs with seasonal allergies. It is called JD and is made by Hills as a prescription diet (only available through your veterinarian). It has very high levels of omega 3 fatty acids. These fatty acids reduce the production of the histamines, leukotrienes and prostaglandins that we spoke of above.
This creates a higher threshold of sensitivity – i.e. it takes more exposure to cause a problem. Interestingly this diet was designed for joint problems (hence the name JD). The omega 3 fatty acids work well to reduce inflammatory chemistry in the joint also, making JD a double barreled assault on inflammation in your pets’ body.
While you can get omega 3 fatty acid supplements over the counter, you tend to get a lot more for your money in the dietary form. What would cost more than $10 in supplements costs about $.20 in JD.
Dr. Quick has owned and operated the Animal Care Center in Morgan Hill for 25 years. He is a founder of W.E.R.C. and Furry Friends Foundation.
