Allergies in Cats

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Types of Allergies in Pets

• Drug Allergies (penicillin, vaccine, etc.)
• Food Allergies (beef, chicken, corn, etc.)
• Parasite Allergies (heartworm microfilariae, flea bite, bee sting anaphylaxis, etc.)
• Contact Allergies (shampoos, insecticides, plastic, flea collars, rubber, cedar chips, etc.)

Symptoms of Allergies in Pets

• Allergic rhinitis (nasal cavity reaction to dust, mold, cigarette smoke, litter dust etc.)
• Allergic pneumonia in dogs (lung reaction from Aspergillus fungus, pollen, heartworm microfilariae etc.)
• Allergic dermatitis (skin reaction due to food allergy, contact allergy, cutaneous drug eruptions, atopy-allergic inhalant dermatitis etc.)
• Allergic gastroenteritis (reaction of stomach and intestines - vomiting, diarrhea due to food allergy)
• Allergic blepharitis (eyelid reaction to molds, dust, pollen, topic medications etc.)

The signs of allergy correlate with the system affected rather than the inciting agent. For example, allergy to beef may show up as skin lesions, diarrhea, vomiting and weight loss in a cat. Corn allergy may produce the same constellation of signs.

For gastrointestinal problems, non-immune reactions to food must also be considered. Food intolerance such as milk intolerance due to loss of the enzyme that functions to break down the milk sugar lactose will lead to signs such as vomiting and diarrhea, but this type of sensitivity is not a true allergic reaction. Likewise, contact allergic dermatitis of the skin should be differentiated from irritant contact dermatitis. The latter case is due to physical or chemical irritation rather than an overactive immune response.

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Source: Canadian Veterinary Medical Association

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