Underlying causes

The immune system works to protect the cat from disease. An allergy is an excessive response of the immune system to a substance the body deems foreign. For some reason, that particular substance provokes the immune system into putting major efforts into fighting the intruder (allergen). Because the body is very sensitive to the substance, we say that the body is hypersensitive or shows increased reactivity to that substance. The allergy is triggered by the intrusion of one or more additional allergens which then cause inflammation, hives, and loss of hair on affected parts of the cats body. Although there are many allergic skin conditions common to dogs and cats, three specific problems represent the bulk of cases: flea bite allergen sensitivity, inhaled allergen sensitivity (atopy) and food allergies.

 Flea Bite Allergic Dermatitis (FBAD)

The most common allergic reaction encountered by cats is caused by flea bites. Flea Bite Allergic Dermatitis (FBAD) affects both sexes and all breeds. Any cat older than 6 months can develop an allergy to flea bites, although it most commonly appears between 3 and 5 years of age. Those animals especially sensitive to inhaled allergens (for example, pollen) are often extra sensitive to flea bites. Pets with FBAD often exhibit itching, hair loss and skin infections especially on the lower back and thighs. The itching may be mild or intense and often involves the neck area. FBAD is seasonally related to the flea population. In areas with long winters the flea population is effectively kept low, only to boom with the onset of warmer spring weather. Animals that are constantly exposed to fleas are less likely to suffer from FBAD than those exposed seasonally. The typical treatment for FBAD is flea control and systemic cortisone (corticosteroids) therapy, which effectively reduces itching. New research has shown that the right balance of fatty acids in the pets diet has positive effects and helps reduce inflammation.

 Inhaled Allergen Sensitivity (Atopy)

Allergic reactions due to inhaled allergens such as pollen are second most common in cats. Animals are exposed to allergens in two ways: the offending allergen may be inhaled or absorbed through the skin. The first sign of atopy is itching. That is also the main symptom of other kinds of allergies, therefore a thorough examination by your veterinarian is necessary to determine the cause of your cats allergy. Atopy often gets worse with age if not identified and treated properly. Corticosteriods are an effective medication in managing atopy. Another treatment is hyposensitisation (”allergy shots”), which makes the body more tolerant of antigens. This delays or lessens the allergic reaction and is reported to be effective in 50 - 80 % of the cases. In addition, as with FBAD, fatty acid adjustment in the diet can also have a positive impact.

 Food Hypersensitivity

Food hypersensitivities comprises the lowest number of hypersensitive allergic cases. The true incidence rate is difficult to estimate. How do you tell if your cat has an allergic reaction to food? Simply by eliminating the suspected food from the diet, and watching to see if the symptoms disappear. To complete the test, check to see if the symptoms reappear when the food is introduced again. In true cases of food allergy, the hallmark sign is itching. The only effective way to manage food allergy is to avoid the offending allergens. Because most food allergens are proteins found in the diet, the first step is to change the cat food you are using. If your cat has been having reactions to a food based on beef, switch to a food made of chicken. If the problem is a chicken-based food, try lamb food. Many foods contain a variety of proteins, so some experimenting is needed to pin down the source of your cat’s sensitivity. You are well advised to examine the ingredient list of different foods.

 New Concepts in Allergy Management

None of the hypersensitivity diseases are curable. Nevertheless, research has shown that two dietary factors can bring relief from the symptoms: a highly digestible, novel protein source reduces the likelihood of allergic reactions and an optimal ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids actually helps manage allergic inflammation of the skin. Working with your cats diet may help manage the allergy problem and even allow reduction in drug dosage. By combining an optimal diet with appropriate medications, it is possible to effectively alleviate the allergy symptoms your cat may have. You should ask your veterinarian about current treatment methods and specific allergy diets