Allergies in dogs and cats: Atopic dermatitis
Atopic dermatitis is an inflammatory and itchy skin disease in which the clinical characteristics are commonly associated with the presence of IgE antibodies to environmental allergens.
The allergens most commonly associated with allergy or hypersensitivity are pollens, environmental mites, food, drugs and other chemical compounds that may behave like allergens.
The routes by which an animal has contact with these agents are the transcutaneous, digestive or inhalation routes.
In atopic dermatitis, there is a genetic predisposition to suffering from the disease, and repeated contact with the allergens involved is necessary.
Most common symptoms and allergies in pets
Itching is the most typical symptom. Allergy to flea bites, atopic dermatitis and food allergies are the most common allergies.
How allergies are diagnosed in animals
With a blood sample, we can find out whether the animal presents antibodies to the saliva of fleas, to some microscopic pathogens like Malassezia or to environmental allergens.
Treatment to control allergies
LETI is working to find new, more specialised immunotherapy formulae for pets.
Allergy to mites
The mites which cause most allergies are dust mites and storage mites. Advice for reducing domestic exposure to mites
Allergies to pollens
The pollens that most commonly cause allergies in animals are those from grass, weeds and some trees.
Adverse reactions to food in animals
Food intolerance reactions include any abnormal non-immunological response to a food and include toxicity, idiosyncratic reactions, pharmacological reactions, etc.