Allergies

More Than Ragweed

Major Causes of Inhalant Allergy in Dogs

The accompanying illustration might well be called a map of misery, charting the time, place, and chief instigators of the scratching or less commonly, sneezing, coughing, and runny nose and eyes that are the signs of inhalant allergy in dogs and cats (and, of course, millions of humans as well). Because avoidance of the instigators is one major approach to therapy, the timetable here can help owners take such necessary precautions as keeping an affected pet indoors during peak seasons, walking the pet on concrete rather than in fields and grassy lawns, and keeping its coat short and periodically wiping or washing it down to eliminate the pollen and spores that lead to the hypersensitivity reaction.

Veterinary experts have identified the physiologic responses that result in an immune reaction such as inhalant allergy (in addition to pollen and spores, certain food compounds, molds, dust mites, and chemicals can trigger off the same type of response). Exposure to an allergen prompts an immune system response. Dr. Laurel J. Gershwin, University of California, Davis, says allergic dogs and cats have a genetic tendency to develop antibodies against certain allergens. That is, once provoked by some allergen in the environment, the immune system begins to attack the allergen. In the process immune system cells, called mast cells, are activated and substances called mediators are released. These mediators, in turn, are responsible for all the clinical signs of allergy.

There are drugs that modify mast cell activation, but these must be used for several weeks before any beneficial effect is seen and then must be given daily. The drugs are widely available in several different forms for human sufferers of inhalant allergy, but their use in dogs and cats is limited. As Dr. Gershwin reminds us, corticosteroids are the most widely use and abused drugs for allergies. The drugs should be used judiciously and in the smallest doses that will alleviate clinical signs. An alternate-day schedule is recommended, and the therapy should be ended by gradually decreasing the dose.

Adults & Children Allergies, Living with Dogs

Longstanding beliefs that children living with dogs and cats may have increased risk of allergies may turn out to bunk,new research suggest. In fact,infants growing up in a house with two or more dogs and cats appear to have a reduced risk of developing allergies later in life, according to a study published in Journal of the American Medical Associations.

The study, published last summer, found that of more that 400 Detroit-area children born between 1987 and 1989, those who had two or more dogs and cats in their hosehold in their first years of life were 50% less likely to have allergies between the ages of 6 and 7 than those with no pets.

When the children were between 6 and 7, researches gave them skin prick test for dog,cat and dust mites, ragweed, and grass allergies. About 34% of the children who had no pets or one pet durning their first year of life tested allergic-senstive to at least one of the one of the skin prick test only 15% of the children who had been exposed to two or more dogs or cats showed any allergic-response.

The children were also given blood test looking for immunoglobulin E antibodies that indicate allergic responses. Postive blood test for at leest one allergen-specific immunoglobulin antibody were seen in nearly 39% of children with no pets, and in 18% of children with exposure to at least two dogs or cats.

Printed with permission of the American Kennel Club

            

Note: In the interest of space the chart was modified as follows:
1) Other parts of the country were left off.
2) Some plants that we do not see around here like tumbleweed were also left off.
3) I did include both midatlantic and southeast because Virginia is on the border so we get the gifts of both!
Remember if you have any questions call your veterinarian.

Courstey Elam Animal Hospital