Skin Allergy in a Cat
Cats aren't born with allergies. They develop them with repeated exposure to substances that trigger the body's immune system to overreact. Most allergic reactions in cats show up as skin disease. There are three basic types of skin allergies in cats, categorized by cause. Skin allergies can be challenging to diagnose. Treatment is usually aimed at reducing exposure to the allergen and calming the symptoms.
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Types
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Food allergies are the least common type of skin allergy in cats. The three types of skin allergies in cats are categorized by their root cause. The most common type is flea allergy dermatitis, where a cat develops an allergy to the saliva of the flea. The second type is called atopic allergic dermatitis. This is caused by either inhaled substances, like molds, pollens and dander, or by contact with substances like chemicals, fabrics, etc. According to petside.com, 10 to 30 percent of cats will develop an inhalant allergy in their lifetime. The least common type of feline skin allergy is food allergy.
Symptoms
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Cat skin allergies make the cat extremely itchy. Skin allergy symptoms depend on the cause and the severity of the allergic reaction. Cats with mild allergies may present with extreme itchiness and red, irritated skin. In more advanced cases, you can see raised red bumps or scabs, hair loss, scaly areas on the skin, and sometimes thickening and darkening of the skin. Some cats with a severe allergic response can develop sores, and secondary bacterial or fungal infections. Symptoms can be seasonal, especially with inhalant or flea allergies, or not, as in the case of a contact or food allergy.
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Diagnosis
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Your veterinarian will start with a thorough physical exam of your cat. Diagnosis of skin allergies in cats can be a challenge, because the symptoms of skin allergies often resemble skin disease caused by mites, lice, fungus and bacteria. Your veterinarian will start with a thorough physical examination and history. Based on what she finds, she may recommend skin scraping, skin cytology and culture, blood tests, allergy testing, or diet trials. According to the Cat Health Guide, sometimes the diagnosis of allergy is made by process of elimination. Sometimes it's based on the cat's response to treatment.
Treatment
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Your veterinarian may need to prescribe steroids for your cat to control severe itching. Once skin allergy has been diagnosed, your veterinarian will recommend a course of treatment, based on the cause of the allergy, the symptoms and the severity. Step 1 is to avoid the allergen if at all possible. For example, getting rid of fleas on your cat and in your household is critical in flea allergy treatment. For food allergies, treatment means feeding a hypoallergenic diet and nothing else. For inhaled allergies, avoidance may not be possible, especially if the allergen can't be isolated.
Step 2 involves controlling symptoms. Your veterinarian may prescribe antihistamines, shampoos or other topical medications, or even steroids in severe cases, to calm and heal the skin. If a secondary bacterial or fungal infection is present, antibiotics and anti-fungals may be added.
Finally, especially when allergens can't be avoided, your veterinarian may suggest allergy testing and allergy shots to desensitize your cat.
Warning
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You'll have to manage your cat's skin allergies for his whole life. Skin allergies in cats can be managed, but cannot be cured.
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References
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