My pet has an allergy what do I do next?

There are 2 main ways to try and control allergies, the first is avoiding exposure to the allergen. This is usually the best option especially if it has been possible to identify the allergen responsible. For example if it is a food allergen it may be possible to get your pet onto a diet lacking in the allergen which should then prevent an allergic response. When undergoing a dietary trial the elimination diet must be fed exclusively (no other food stuffs just water available to your pet) for 10-12 weeks to be able to assess the benefits.

In some cases your pet’s allergy may not be identifiable or it may react to more than 1 allergen which makes it very difficult to avoid all the allergens causing the symptoms. Where this is the case then the second way to try and manage an allergy is by targeting the immune systems response with medications. There are a range of drugs available that act in different ways, broadly they can be separated into: steroids, immunotherapy and immunomodulators. Antihistamines can sometimes be used but usually once signs of an allergy are present their effect is negligible.

Steroids work by producing an anti-inflammatory response and by suppression of the immune system, the advantages of steroids are that the allergens don’t have to be identified, they are relatively cheap and work reliably. The disadvantages are they do have side effects ranging from increased thirst and weight gain to liver damage, therefore where possible they should be avoided for long term use.

Immunotherapy can only be used where the allergens responsible can be identified, it works by attempting to desensitise the immune systems to these allergens. It is usually given by a series of injections starting with small frequent injections which are then maintained with treatment at monthly intervals (an oral form is also available). Immunotherapy has to be formulated specifically to an individual animals needs.  The advantage of immunotherapy is the lack of need to manage your pet’s exposure to the allergens and avoiding the need to give other medications with potential side effects. The disadvantages are it is relatively expensive and is only effective in around 50-80% of pets.

Immunomodulators work by blocking a specific part of the immune systems response during an allergic reaction. They block the message sent from the skin sends to the brain about feeling itchy, therefore your pet feels a lot more comfortable, so that the pet doesn’t self-traumatise the skin and avoids the skin damage which leads to secondary infections. The advantages of immunomodulators are that they work quickly, the allergens don’t have to be identified and they have very little side-effects so are good for pets that need long term management. The disadvantages are they are relatively more expensive in comparison with steroids and in some individuals have a lack of response.

Investigating and managing skin allergy can be a long and frustrating process, the condition is not curable, management/treatment likely to be needed for the rest of your pets life.