| Veterinary Dermatology Center Robert G. Buerger, DVM, DACVD Board-Certified Skin Disease Specialist 32 Mellor Avenue Baltimore, Maryland USA 21228 410-788-8130 FAX 410-788-9007 www.Vderm.com |
Pets with allergies: An overview
Licking, chewing, scratching, and rubbing as well as recurrent skin and ear
infections and hot spots are common signs of allergies in pets. The areas
commonly affected include the feet, belly, armpits, face, chin, ears, neck, rump, and
thighs, and secondary infections are common in these areas. Other conditions
including those caused by parasitic and infectious organisms may result in similar
symptoms, so Dr. Buerger will need to understand your pet's medical history and
perform a thorough dermatologic examination as well as a few basic tests to be
certain that allergy is indeed the problem. Allergic symptoms can be year-round or
they can be seasonal (during particular season(s)) depending upon which allergies
are present. Allergies usually begin between 6 months and 3 years of age, but may
begin at any time. Retrievers, terriers, and shepherds are more likely to have
problems with allergies than other breeds. The tendency to develop allergies runs
in families (as in people). Unlike people, pets with allergies seldom "outgrow" them,
and their allergies commonly get worse and less responsive to treatments with each
passing year.
The symptoms of allergy can often be improved or controlled with one or more of
the following: antihistamines, nutritional fatty acid supplements, cortisone (i.e.
prednisone) tablets, Atopica, frequent shampoos, strict flea control, and in some
instances restricted diets. These are acceptable means of control if the allergic
symptoms are seasonal and of short duration (one to several months) and as long
as the treatments do not result in severe or objectionable side effects. Allergy
testing and more specific therapy with allergy injections should be considered in the
following instances: (1) If the problem is prolonged (especially if it is year-round);
(2) If the problem is not adequately controlled with symptomatic treatments; (3) If
the treatment necessitates prolonged or repeated courses of cortisone drugs or
antibiotics; or (4) If the treatments cause severe or objectionable side effects.
If you have any questions or concerns, please discuss them with Dr. Buerger during
your next appointment.
Allergy skin testing: Questions and Answers:
What does allergy testing entail?
If your pet's allergies are year-round (nonseasonal) to any degree an evaluation
for food allergy may be recommended first which entails feeding a very strict
hypoallergenic diet for 10 weeks. In cases where there is a seasonal fluctuation of
the problem Dr. Buerger may ask that the special diet be fed during the cold winter
months. Dr. Buerger will discuss the details of the diet if it is deemed necessary.
If the allergy is present only during a particular time each year or if there is no
response to the special diet then allergy skin testing should be performed. A patch
is shaved on the side of the chest and 65 small injections are made into the skin.
This is often done with your pet sedated and while you wait (usually takes about 30
minutes). Small reactions at the test injection sites allow us to determine which
allergies are present and provide information on how to treat the allergies.
What is the benefit of allergy skin testing?
After the cause of the allergy has been determined, it can then be treated more
specifically. Allergies can be treated with an injectable allergy vaccine or "serum"
that is tailored to the pet's particular allergies.
Are allergies to flea bites treated with allergy injections?
Unfortunately, injections for flea bite allergies do not work in most instances. Strict
flea control measures must be implemented for allergic pets and for other pets in
the home.
Are there alternatives to allergy skin testing?
If skin testing is not performed it is usually possible to control the symptoms of the
allergy with antihistamines and/or cortisone drugs. These medications may have
side effects, and the long-term use of cortisone drugs in particular is potentially
harmful. Other treatments with fatty acid nutritional supplements and shampoos
may also be of benefit.
Blood allergy testing may be recommended in place of skin testing under certain
conditions. Concurrent medical conditions or other skin issues may prompt a
recommendation to perform blood allergy testing instead of skin testing.
When is the best time to skin test?
The skin test can be performed anytime, but for some seasonally allergic pets the
best results may be obtained near the end of the allergy season (often in the early
fall months). If the skin test is performed at a time other than at the end of the pet's
allergy season it may be necessary to repeat a portion of the test in the fall and
modify the allergy vaccine accordingly.
How often are allergy injections given?
In the initial stages, the injections are given on alternate days. Gradually the
length of time between the injections increases to once every three weeks. For
some pets the injection schedule may be modified. Allergy injections will likely be
necessary for the life of the patient.
Who gives the allergy injections?
With guidance, many owners can learn how to give the injections themselves. The
technique is simple, and adverse reactions to the allergy vaccine are very rare.
Alternatively, your regular veterinarian could administer the allergy injections.
How long does it take to see benefit from the allergy injections?
While some pets improve within several weeks, most pets require 6 to 9 months of
therapy to see benefit. Some may take one or two years to respond. The
response to the vaccine may be total (in which case other medications are no
longer necessary) or it may be partial. If it is partial, other medications may still be
necessary to help control some of the symptoms, but often in lesser amounts.
During the first few months of the injection program, many pets will require
additional medications (such as an antihistamine or a cortisone drug) to help
alleviate the symptoms. As the allergy injections take effect, and as the symptoms
subside, these medications should be stopped if possible.
Approximately 25% of allergic pets do not respond to the injections.
How is the pet prepared for the allergy skin test?
Cortisone tablets such as prednisone, Vetalog, or Medrol must be stopped at least
3-4 weeks prior to allergy testing (longer in some instances). The waiting period
may be considerably longer if the cortisone has been given by injection. Consult
your veterinarian before stopping the cortisone as a gradual withdrawal may be
recommended. Cortisone-containing eye and ear drops should be stopped 7-10
days prior to the test if possible.
Antihistamines such as Benadryl, hydroxyzine (Atarax), and chlorpheniramine must
be stopped at least 7-10 days prior to allergy testing.
Your pet should not be fed within 12 hours of the skin test, and water should be
withheld for 2 hours before the test. No tranquilizer should be given without first
checking with Dr. Buerger.
What is the cost of allergy skin testing?
The cost of the skin test is $195, however with the office visit, sedation (if
necessary), additional tests (if necessary), and medications (if necessary) the total
cost may be $650-950+.
Once the results are known, what is the cost of giving allergy shots?
The first 3 vials costs $194 and should last about 3 months. Subsequent vials will
cost $184 and should last about 7 months each. The cost of syringes is extra. The
cost of the allergy vaccine may be higher for certain types of allergies.
If you have any questions, please ask your veterinarian or Dr. Buerger during
your next appointment. ©2010
Licking, chewing, scratching, and rubbing as well as recurrent skin and ear
infections and hot spots are common signs of allergies in pets. The areas
commonly affected include the feet, belly, armpits, face, chin, ears, neck, rump, and
thighs, and secondary infections are common in these areas. Other conditions
including those caused by parasitic and infectious organisms may result in similar
symptoms, so Dr. Buerger will need to understand your pet's medical history and
perform a thorough dermatologic examination as well as a few basic tests to be
certain that allergy is indeed the problem. Allergic symptoms can be year-round or
they can be seasonal (during particular season(s)) depending upon which allergies
are present. Allergies usually begin between 6 months and 3 years of age, but may
begin at any time. Retrievers, terriers, and shepherds are more likely to have
problems with allergies than other breeds. The tendency to develop allergies runs
in families (as in people). Unlike people, pets with allergies seldom "outgrow" them,
and their allergies commonly get worse and less responsive to treatments with each
passing year.
The symptoms of allergy can often be improved or controlled with one or more of
the following: antihistamines, nutritional fatty acid supplements, cortisone (i.e.
prednisone) tablets, Atopica, frequent shampoos, strict flea control, and in some
instances restricted diets. These are acceptable means of control if the allergic
symptoms are seasonal and of short duration (one to several months) and as long
as the treatments do not result in severe or objectionable side effects. Allergy
testing and more specific therapy with allergy injections should be considered in the
following instances: (1) If the problem is prolonged (especially if it is year-round);
(2) If the problem is not adequately controlled with symptomatic treatments; (3) If
the treatment necessitates prolonged or repeated courses of cortisone drugs or
antibiotics; or (4) If the treatments cause severe or objectionable side effects.
If you have any questions or concerns, please discuss them with Dr. Buerger during
your next appointment.
Allergy skin testing: Questions and Answers:
What does allergy testing entail?
If your pet's allergies are year-round (nonseasonal) to any degree an evaluation
for food allergy may be recommended first which entails feeding a very strict
hypoallergenic diet for 10 weeks. In cases where there is a seasonal fluctuation of
the problem Dr. Buerger may ask that the special diet be fed during the cold winter
months. Dr. Buerger will discuss the details of the diet if it is deemed necessary.
If the allergy is present only during a particular time each year or if there is no
response to the special diet then allergy skin testing should be performed. A patch
is shaved on the side of the chest and 65 small injections are made into the skin.
This is often done with your pet sedated and while you wait (usually takes about 30
minutes). Small reactions at the test injection sites allow us to determine which
allergies are present and provide information on how to treat the allergies.
What is the benefit of allergy skin testing?
After the cause of the allergy has been determined, it can then be treated more
specifically. Allergies can be treated with an injectable allergy vaccine or "serum"
that is tailored to the pet's particular allergies.
Are allergies to flea bites treated with allergy injections?
Unfortunately, injections for flea bite allergies do not work in most instances. Strict
flea control measures must be implemented for allergic pets and for other pets in
the home.
Are there alternatives to allergy skin testing?
If skin testing is not performed it is usually possible to control the symptoms of the
allergy with antihistamines and/or cortisone drugs. These medications may have
side effects, and the long-term use of cortisone drugs in particular is potentially
harmful. Other treatments with fatty acid nutritional supplements and shampoos
may also be of benefit.
Blood allergy testing may be recommended in place of skin testing under certain
conditions. Concurrent medical conditions or other skin issues may prompt a
recommendation to perform blood allergy testing instead of skin testing.
When is the best time to skin test?
The skin test can be performed anytime, but for some seasonally allergic pets the
best results may be obtained near the end of the allergy season (often in the early
fall months). If the skin test is performed at a time other than at the end of the pet's
allergy season it may be necessary to repeat a portion of the test in the fall and
modify the allergy vaccine accordingly.
How often are allergy injections given?
In the initial stages, the injections are given on alternate days. Gradually the
length of time between the injections increases to once every three weeks. For
some pets the injection schedule may be modified. Allergy injections will likely be
necessary for the life of the patient.
Who gives the allergy injections?
With guidance, many owners can learn how to give the injections themselves. The
technique is simple, and adverse reactions to the allergy vaccine are very rare.
Alternatively, your regular veterinarian could administer the allergy injections.
How long does it take to see benefit from the allergy injections?
While some pets improve within several weeks, most pets require 6 to 9 months of
therapy to see benefit. Some may take one or two years to respond. The
response to the vaccine may be total (in which case other medications are no
longer necessary) or it may be partial. If it is partial, other medications may still be
necessary to help control some of the symptoms, but often in lesser amounts.
During the first few months of the injection program, many pets will require
additional medications (such as an antihistamine or a cortisone drug) to help
alleviate the symptoms. As the allergy injections take effect, and as the symptoms
subside, these medications should be stopped if possible.
Approximately 25% of allergic pets do not respond to the injections.
How is the pet prepared for the allergy skin test?
Cortisone tablets such as prednisone, Vetalog, or Medrol must be stopped at least
3-4 weeks prior to allergy testing (longer in some instances). The waiting period
may be considerably longer if the cortisone has been given by injection. Consult
your veterinarian before stopping the cortisone as a gradual withdrawal may be
recommended. Cortisone-containing eye and ear drops should be stopped 7-10
days prior to the test if possible.
Antihistamines such as Benadryl, hydroxyzine (Atarax), and chlorpheniramine must
be stopped at least 7-10 days prior to allergy testing.
Your pet should not be fed within 12 hours of the skin test, and water should be
withheld for 2 hours before the test. No tranquilizer should be given without first
checking with Dr. Buerger.
What is the cost of allergy skin testing?
The cost of the skin test is $195, however with the office visit, sedation (if
necessary), additional tests (if necessary), and medications (if necessary) the total
cost may be $650-950+.
Once the results are known, what is the cost of giving allergy shots?
The first 3 vials costs $194 and should last about 3 months. Subsequent vials will
cost $184 and should last about 7 months each. The cost of syringes is extra. The
cost of the allergy vaccine may be higher for certain types of allergies.
If you have any questions, please ask your veterinarian or Dr. Buerger during
your next appointment. ©2010
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