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Happy
Spring!

Canine Allergies

by Dr. Robin Goldblum

Dogs itch.  They chew their paws.  That’s normal, right?  Maybe not.  Canine allergies have become very common and are a growing problem as each season passes.  An allergy, also known as atopy, means that your dog’s immune system is overreacting to substances that normally should not cause a problem.  These can include pollens, molds, grasses and house dust.  Dogs can also be allergic to different types of foods, wool, cotton, even medications.  Literally anything can become an allergen.

Certain dog breeds are predisposed to allergies.  Some of these include West Highland White Terriers, Boxers, Golden Retrievers and Pugs.  However, almost any dog can develop allergies, including mixed breeds.  Allergies can start in dogs as young as 8-months-old, up into the senior years.  A dog can eat the same food for a decade and still develop an allergy to the ingredients contained within it.

There are several signs that can be caused by allergies.  These include chewing the paws, rubbing the face, recurring ear infections, anal gland issues, vomiting/diarrhea (usually caused by food allergies) and recurring conjunctivitis (eye irritation).  However, there are some other medical problems that can cause similar signs, like fleas, mites (Sarcoptic mange or Demodex), or bacterial or yeast skin infections.  This is why it is important to have a veterinary evaluation.

One way to diagnose allergies is to do allergy testing.  There is some debate in the veterinary world over the best method but 2 options are skin testing and blood testing.  These usually test for a large number of allergens which can help determine the best course of action.  Is your dog allergic to chicken and corn?  Then it is best to eliminate those from the diet.  There are numerous different types of prescription veterinary hypoallergenic diets that can be tailored to a specific dog’s needs.  Is your dog allergic to pollens and grasses?  Then you know that your pet is probably going to have problems in the spring when all the plants are blooming.  Unfortunately, the vast majority of dogs are allergic to a combination of environmental, food and indoor allergens.  Whenever possible, the allergen should be eliminated from contacting the dog.  For example, hardwood floors would be a much better choice for a dog with an allergy to wool carpets.

When elimination is not possible, such as moving to the desert or the tundra to avoid environmental allergens, medical treatment is usually necessary to keep the allergic dog comfortable.  Some dogs do well with just bathing twice weekly with a medicated shampoo.  Other dogs need antihistamines, like Benadryl or Hydroxyzine. However, even though these tend to be the safest with the least amount of side effects, a lot of the time they simply are not strong enough.   Many dogs have secondary bacterial or yeast infections that can make allergy signs worse and need to be treated accordingly.  We then turn to medications like Prednisone, a corticosteroid that works wonderfully at reducing the itching and inflammation but comes with its own set of problem side effects.  Atopica (also known as Cyclosporin) is another option with fewer side effects but a higher price tag.

One treatment option that has had very good success in human medicine is desensitization, also known as allergy injections.  The theory is that by injecting small amounts of the allergen, the body can get used to it and learn not to over-react.  It usually starts with very tiny amounts and then increases over time.  There have been mixed results in the veterinary world.  Some dogs do wonderfully with desensitization and their allergies are practically cured.  However, some dogs do not respond at all and it never really helps them.  There is no way to know which dogs will respond without trying desensitization and it is recommended trying this method for at least 2 years.

 Sadly, at this point, there are no known cures for canine allergies.  Signs tends to worsen as a dog ages, frequently starting as a seasonal problem and developing into a year-round problem.  The good news is with allergen elimination and treatment, we can make these allergic dogs more comfortable so that they can lead happy lives, even if they never become completely itch-free.

Class Schedules

	Pet CPR & First Aid Wednesday, April 28, 2010 from 7 to 9 PM
	Puppy Class Always available; call for the next class date.
	AKC Good Citizen Course and Exam (6 weeks) beginning Saturday, May 29, 2010, 9 to 10 AM
	Pet Massage To be announced

Our Pet CPR & First Aid Courses have been well-received so we will be planning more dates. If you would like to attend, call the office at 215-598-9000 to sign up.

The course is taught by Helen Natelli and is sponsored by the Red Cross of Lower Bucks County. The registration fee of $40.00 goes toward materials. All profits go to the Red Cross.

Attendees receive lecture notes and a complete Pet First Aid Kit. Light refreshments are provided.

Many thanks to our Jenn M., who arranges and hosts the sessions.

April Calendar

If you notice some new faces among the nursing staff, they are veterinary technology students from Manor College, on a six-week externship to learn all they can from our excellent nurses.

Rabies Update!

To the left is a map of all Rabies cases diagnosed in Pennsylvania this year from Jan 1 through Feb 28. Of 30 documented cases, 3 were in Bucks County. The Bucks County cases were all raccoons. Remember, these are only cases that were actually tested.  Many more went undiagnosed.

UPDATE: During the 1st week of February a rabid raccoon was diagnosed here at Indian Walk. It had been killed by a client's dogs. All of that household's pets are now under quarantine and the client is undergoing post-exposure prophylaxis.

Please remember, Rabies is HERE!
Only by keeping all of your pets up to date on their Rabies vaccinations can they and their human family members be protected from this deadly disease.

Happy Easter                                            Happy Passover!

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