Symptoms of inhalant allergies include: SCRATCHING, BITING, CHEWING AT FEET AND CONSTANT LICKING. The itching may be most severe on feet, flanks, groin and armpits. Dogs may rub their face on the carpet. Ear flaps may become red and hot. Chronic ear infections may follow. Skin becomes thickened, greasy and has a strong odor. Hot spots may develop due to irritation from constant chewing or scratching, which is then followed by infection. Allergies have also been implicated as a possible cause of Acral Lick Granulomas, a frustrating, treatment resistant condition whereby the dog creates a sore on his skin from constant licking.

Atopy usually produces a seasonal itchiness though after several years, the duration of the itchy period extends. Finally, the pet is itchy nearly all year round.

Seasonal itchiness due to atopy tends to begin early in a pet's life (between ages 1 and 3). Flea allergic dermatitis, the other prime cause of seasonal itchiness, tends to begin later (between ages 3 and 5).

Itchiness due to atopy responds rapidly to cortisone-type medications (prednisone, depomedrol, dexamethasone, azium etc.)

Atopy may produce characteristic changes on biopsy samples.

Atopy is associated with irritation in certain parts of the body. In the dog, these areas are: Around the eyes and mouth, ear infection, armpits, abdomen, area around the anus, and legs.

These cortisone-type medications tend to be useful as the "first line of defense" against itchy skin. A higher dose is used at first but this is quickly tapered down once the condition is controlled. Prednisone is given every other day so as to allow the pet one day of recovery from the prednisone's hormonal actions. An atopic dog will respond within days. For cats, long-acting cortisone-type injections are most frequently used as cats are frequently not amenable to taking pills.

Problems arise when the pet's need for itch control demands excessive use of prednisone. Prednisone is a hormone, affecting all body symptoms. Side effects include:

* excess thirst
* excess appetite
* urinary incontinence
* muscle breakdown
* immune suppression
* termination of pregnancy
* inflammation of the pancreas
* lethargy/panting

If your pet has an unacceptable side effect, you should consider trying alternative therapy for itchy skin.

There are many alternatives to prednisone; unfortunately, none produce as reliable a response.

ANTIHISTAMINES - These are far less harmful than prednisone but only 10-20% of dogs will respond to any given antihistamine. Our hospital uses a testing protocol using four antihistamines, showing benefit to approximately 30% of the dogs who try it. Animals that cannot get by on antihistamines may be able to lower their prednisone "requirement" when using antihistamines together with prednisone. It should be noted that antihistamines are far more effective in cats than in dogs. Reliable itch control is frequently obtained but the “down side” is that the cat in question must take medication twice a day, potentially indefinately.

FATTY ACID SUPPLEMENTS - These products are NOT analogous to adding oil to the pet's food. Instead, these special fatty acids act as medications, disrupting the production of inflammatory chemicals within the skin. They are often used in conjunction with antihistamines.

TOPICALS - Dips, soaks, shampoos, and ointments may also be a helpful addition to one's "anti-itch armament." The disadvantage is that these products must be used 2 and 3 times a week. The Mar Vista Animal Medical Center produces a list of products which may be helpful. Click here to see this list of suggestions.

HYPOSENSITIZATION?

Just as people have allergy shots, so can pets; however, the process is not without difficulty and one should not expect hyposensitization to end all itchy skin concerns.

Allergy shots require approximately 6-12 months to begin working.
25% of atopic dogs will not respond (these are usually the animals allergic to multiple allergens.)
25% will require prednisone at least at some times.
You will have to give the allergy shots yourself.
IS YOUR PET A CANDIDATE?

Testing is best done during your pet's non-itchy season (if there is one) so that the skin responses of the test will not be clouded by active inflammation. The test involves injections of small amounts of allergen extracts into the skin. Reactions noted are compared to reactions produced by two controls: pure histamine (very inflammatory) and pure saline (very non-inflammatory).

In order to take the test the following medication withholding scheduled should be followed. Your dog may not have had:

Depomedrol injections within 8 weeks
Vetalog injections within 6 weeks
Antihistamines within 1 week
Topical steroids (such as panalog) for 1 week
Oral steroids (such as prednisone) for 4 weeks
Guidelines for cats are generally more strict. Check with a specialist for their recommendations.

These requirements are often useful to have ruled out food allergy with an elimination diet trial prior to the skin test as food allergy/intolerance responds much more rapidly to diet correction than atopy does to hyposensitization. Food allergy and atopic dermatitis both present a similar distribution of itchiness and can be difficult to distinguish.