There is a little known fact about me. I'm allergic to animals! Yes, you heard that right -- the veterinarian is allergic to his patient. Since the age of 5 or 6 I've had severe animal allergies. Perhaps I chose the wrong profession to work in, but I love what I do. And I think it's my own struggle with allergies that has prompted me to study, and ultimately enjoy, the study of allergies in animals, better known as atopy in the veterinary world.
Atopy, or allergy to inhaled allergens, can cause very different symptoms in a dog or cat than a human. Most humans struggle with itchy, watery eyes, runny nose and sneezing. Pets on the other hand, develop intense itching of the skin, chewing of the feet and shaking of their ears, all of which are quite annoying at 2 a.m. if your dog sleeps in your bedroom. The constant assault on the skin often leads to bacterial infections, hair loss and even oozing sores known as hot spots.
Earlier this year, we struggled with grass and tree pollens, but now we are deep into the worst time of year when weed pollens erupt, and more specifically, ragweed. I've heard many times over the years that Aug. 15 is supposedly the start of ragweed season in Ohio, however, it appears to me to start around the first of August. Then I notice a spike in pet allergies about the time farmers begin harvesting their corn in the fall, which will be very soon.
Treatment of allergies can be very complex, and often needs to be multimodal ... stop the itch now, kill the bacterial infection, and devise a strategy to prevent it from coming back before the ragweed season ends. I like to tailor treatment of allergies to the individual patient, based upon the severity of symptoms, the seasons they're the worst, and the response they've had to previous treatments. In some cases, the itchiness can be relieved with corticosteroids, like cortisone or prednisone, and antihistamines for the short term. Allergies that persist for more than a couple of months often need to be treated with safer alternatives, since they'll be used for a longer duration, such as omega fatty acids (fish oil), antihistamines, and medicated "leave-on" shampoos and conditioners. The worst cases often require Atopica, which safely block the immune system's reaction in the skin.
Occasionally, diagnostic tests, such as blood tests or skin allergy tests, and the creation of immunotherapy injections, better known as allergy shots, will be needed.
As our days get cooler and the sun sets sooner, there is a pollen in the air that makes life miserable for many of us. As I struggle with my own allergies I can't help but feel sorry for the itching dog or cat that comes into my office with his/her hair pulled out, scabs all over, and oozing sores. Allergies are not only one of the most frequent reasons for a trip to our office, but are also a big reason for pet owners becoming frustrated with their animal. Working with your veterinary team to identify what is causing your pet's symptoms will help keep your four-legged family member right where he needs to be ... with you!
Dr. Roger Redman is a veterinarian and owner of Ark Veterinary Hospital Inc. in Wooster.