A common ailment that pet owners can often overlook is allergic dermatitis. Every pet gets a little itchy from time to time, but when the itching lasts a long time or becomes obsessive, it’s time to bring your dog or cat in for a vet visit.
What is Allergic Dermatitis?
Allergic dermatitis is also called “atopic dermatitis” or sometimes just a contact allergy. Pets don’t cough or sneeze when they have an allergic reaction to something like people do. Instead, dogs and cats get itchy skin.
An airborne allergen like seasonal pollen or house dust is usually the culprit when a pet becomes itchy. They can also develop allergic dermatitis from household cleaning products and chemicals, or a food item in their diet. A pet’s reaction to the allergy might not present itself as itching alone; they might also lick, scratch, bite or paw at the site of the allergy.
Symptoms of Allergic Dermatitis
Itchiness from allergic dermatitis can cover a pet’s entire body, or it can be localized to specific areas. With airborne or food allergies, the itching is usually in the front half of the body, such as the face, front legs, front paws, or ears. Dermatitis from a flea allergy tends to cause itchiness near the animal’s rump and tail. Note that a flea allergy is not the same as allergic dermatitis, and requires different treatment methods.
Once an animal starts excessively scratching at an itchy spot, it can lead to secondary infections such as yeast infections on its skin. Ear infections can also arise from the itching, and your pet’s skin might become sensitive to the touch.
Treating Allergic Dermatitis in Pets
Fortunately, we have a variety of methods for treating allergic dermatitis in pets. Every animal is different, so it might take some trial and error to find the right mechanism to give your pet relief.
Steroids can provide short-term relief but have some heavier side effects. If used too long, they can reduce an animal’s lifespan. Some pets respond well to a combination of essential fatty acids and antihistamines, which carry fewer side effects.
Allergen Specific Immunotherapy (ASIT) is another option, but it is a lifelong treatment process for your pet. ASIT injections can be administered every one to three weeks to boost your pet’s immune system. It can take up to a year for the injections to start working.
Contact Us if You Have an Itchy Pet!
If you think your pet might be suffering from allergic dermatitis, give us a call at Sea Oats Animal Hospital at 904-640-8844 to schedule an appointment.
