Cat Allergies – Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment & Prevention

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ALLERGIES IN CATS

• By John Reynolds

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INTRODUCTION

• Cats! Cats Everywhere!
• Some people prefer dogs over cats! But arent
  cats cute, too?
• After sharing my research on allergies that
  trouble dogs, Ive been asked to explain some
  things about allergies that affect cats.

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WHAT ARE CATS ALLERGIC TO?

• Cats can develop allergies from
• Trees, grasses, weeds, mold, pollens, and dust
• Fleas and flea-control products
• Perfumes
• Cleaning products
• Cigarette smoke
• Prescription drugs
• Various rubber plastic materials

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SYMPTOMS OF ALLERGIES
Itchy back or tail
Ear Infections
Sneezing Coughing
Snoring
Diarrhea
Itchy Skin
Paw Chewing
Vomiting
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TYPES OF ALLERGIES

• Flea Allergies

Food Allergies
Contact Allergies
Airborne Allergies
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FLEA ALLERGY

• A cat with a flea allergy will often bite, and
  may bite hard enough to break their own skin.
• The cat may also remove large patches of their
  own hair.
• Common areas affected by fleas are the rump
  (hindquarters), the head, and neck.

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FOOD ALLERGY

• A cat can develop allergies to beef, chicken,
  lamb, pork, seafood, corn, soy, dairy, and wheat
  gluten.
• Food allergies can produce severe skin itchiness,
  gastrointestinal upset, or a respiratory allergy.
• Dermatologic food reactions may occur as a result
  of one or more allergy caused by substances in
  food.

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AIRBORNE ALLERGY

• Allergies to particles your cat inhales is called
  Airborne Allergy (Atopy).
• Airborne allergies are triggered by allergens
  like pollens, weeds, molds, and dust mites, and
  can cause the cat to feel itching on its entire
  body.

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CONTACT ALLERGY

• This is the least common type of allergy, and is
  typically caused by something your cat comes in
  contact with.
• Your cat might suffer contact allergy itchiness
  when it comes in contact with wool or woolen
  carpets, certain carpet cleaning chemicals, or
  laundry detergent residue on its bedding.

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SURVEY OF CAT ALLERGIES

• Food Allergies are the most common allergies in
  cats.
• In a recent US survey, the following foods cause
  the most allergies in cats

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DIAGNOSIS OF ALLERGIES

• Flea allergy is diagnosed by seeing the
  characteristic lesions on the cat and ruling out
  other causes.
• A biopsy of the affected area may be performed by
  a vet.
• Skin scrapings and fungal cultures rule out other
  allergic causes.
• Your vet may also perform an intra-dermal skin
  test.
• He or she may also run blood tests to identify
  antibodies to specific antigens in the blood.

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TREATMENT PREVENTION
Some treatments to give your cat relief during
her most itchy times

• Give your cat a bath with a natural shampoo to
  help remove pollens and other allergens from the
  coat.
• Some anti inflammatory medications may give
  immediate relief from skin irritation.

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SOURCES

• http//pets.webmd.com/cats/cat-allergy-symptoms-tr
  iggers
• http//www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c12141a
  id142
• http//www.vet-organics.com/product/ecobalance-ant
  i-allergy-liquid-concentrate-cats/
• http//www.halopets.com/pet-education/pet-articles
  /allergies-in-cats.html
• http//www.animalbliss.com/seasonal-allergies-in-c
  ats/
• http//www.pethealthnetwork.com/cat-health/cat-dis
  eases-conditions-a-z/what-bothering-your-cat-it-co
  uld-be-feline-allergies
• http//www.petmd.com/cat/conditions/skin/c_ct_food
  _reactions_dermatologic

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