| Itching is the most common sign of allergies in cats | | | | body |
| and dogs. Allergic dermatitis is inflammation of the | | | | * Hair loss with or without scabs |
| skin that occurs after it has been exposed to | | | | * Skin crusts and plaques on head, neck and back |
| something to which it is allergic, known as an allergen. | | | | WHAT YOUR VET CAN DO |
| The number-one sign of allergies in pets is itching. | | | | Determine underlying cause of itching and treat |
| Cats lick, bite, chew and scratch themselves to the | | | | accordingly. |
| point of self-mutilation. The result is red, raw areas of | | | | 1. Eliminate fleas in Flea Allergies. |
| skin with oozing sores and hair loss. | | | | 2. Certified veterinary skin specialists offer blood and |
| Allergies are caused by an "allergen", which is a | | | | skin testing, which can confirm certain hard to |
| substance that causes a hypersensitive reaction, | | | | diagnose inhalant allergies. |
| which is usually itching. Almost 20 percent of all cats | | | | 3. Allergy free dietary trials are often effective for |
| suffer from one or more allergies. Fleas, airborne | | | | food allergies. |
| particles, and foods are the top three causes. Plants | | | | Itching usually resolves when the underlying problem |
| with oily leaves, like rubber plants, and certain | | | | is cured. Unfortunately, many allergies can not be |
| medications, including Tetracycline and Neomycin, can | | | | cured but most can be controlled. |
| cause skin eruptions. Various types of kitty litter also | | | | Itching may be controlled or relieved with a variety |
| cause allergic reactions. | | | | of products. |
| TYPES OF ALLERGIES | | | | 1. Antihistamines may be effective to relieve itchinga. |
| * Flea allergies are responsible for up to 90 percent | | | | Benadrylb. Tavistc. Ataraxd. Chlortrimaton |
| of itching in cats. Cats groom themselves constantly, | | | | 2. Vitamin C with Bioflavinoids in high doses has an |
| which often quickly removes all evidence of fleas. | | | | antihistamine effect and often helps relieve itching. |
| Consider fleas first in any itching cat, regardless of | | | | 250 mg of powder 2 to 3 times daily in food. |
| whether or not fleas can be found. | | | | 3. Omega 3 Fatty Acid Supplementationa. Fish Oilb. |
| * Inhalant allergies are the second most common | | | | Flaxseedc. Evening Primrose Oild. 1/8 teaspoon |
| type of allergy in cats. Atopy, Allergic Inhalant | | | | Salmon oil added to meals. |
| Dermatitis, and Atopic Dermatitis are terms that are | | | | 4. Oatmeal Based Shampoos - Oatmeal may relieve |
| used synonymously with Inhalant Allergies. Airborne | | | | itching and skin irritation up to 72 hours. |
| particles, responsible outside include mold, pollen and | | | | 5. Witch Hazel is soothing and comes as a spray or |
| grasses. Indoors, tobacco smoke, carpet cleaners and | | | | lotion; the spray works best in cats. |
| perfumes are common causes. Unlike people with | | | | 6. Aloe Vera Gel is available at health food stores. It |
| inhalant allergies that sneeze and get a runny nose, | | | | contains enzymes that reduce skin irritation. |
| the primary sign of these allergies in cats is itching. | | | | 7. Corticosteroids like, prednisone may be the only |
| Occasionally cats wheeze and develop breathing | | | | effective medication to relieve itching in certain cases. |
| problems. Signs of Atopy often begin with a seasonal | | | | Alternative therapies generally reduce the effective |
| pattern that that too coincides with the so-called | | | | dose of corticosteroids needed on a long-term basis. |
| "hay fever" season for people, but eventually inhalant | | | | In cats, unlike dogs and people, steroids are tolerated |
| allergies become a year-round condition. Most cases | | | | quite well and side effects are minimal. |
| are inherited and can be controlled but not cured. | | | | COMPLEMENTARY TREATMENTS |
| * Food allergies are the third most common reason | | | | HOMEOPATHIC |
| cats itch. Eighty percent of cats with a food allergy | | | | Graphites 6x - a form of carbon. One pellet on |
| have been eating the "adverse" food for over two | | | | tongue every 4 hours until signs are gone for up to 5 |
| years before a reaction occurs. Beef, dairy products | | | | days. Discontinue if no improvement in first 24-hours. |
| and fish cause 90 percent of the problems. Itching is | | | | Withhold food 10 minutes before and after |
| the number one sign of a food allergy, with the | | | | treatment. |
| exception of a "milk intolerance", which results in | | | | HERBAL |
| diarrhea. Up to one third of cats with food allergies | | | | Topical Herbs to reduce itching and skin irritation |
| have concurrent flea allergies and/or Inhalant Allergies. | | | | include: |
| SYMPTOMS | | | | * Calendula - an herb that can be used topically. |
| * Itching | | | | * Comfrey - this herb can be used topically as a rinse |
| * Licking | | | | to reduce itching. Comfrey contains "allantoin" which |
| * Biting | | | | promotes healing. |
| * Excessive grooming behavior | | | | * Chamomile - this herb reduces skin irritation and has |
| * Small scabs on head, neck and ears or all over | | | | antioxidant properties. Can be used topically. |