Biology Reference
In-Depth Information
There are four types of allergies:
1. Inhaled allergies (atopy)
2. Food allergies
3. Flea allergies
4. Contact allergies
Inhaled Allergies
Inhaled allergies are generally managed rather than cured. If a specific
allergen can be identified and eliminated from the cat's environment,
the manifestations of that particular allergy will go away. To identify
specific allergens, some type of allergy testing is needed.
Veterinary dermatologists believe intradermal skin testing is the
most reliable way to test for allergies in cats.This test involves sedating
the patient, clipping the hair on one side of the chest and then inject-
ing tiny doses of antigens under the skin. The number of antigens
injected can vary, but it would not be unusual for 60 different sub-
stances to be included in a test.The veterinarian then examines the cat's
skin for wheals—red, raised skin reactions. Each site that forms a sig-
nificant wheal is considered to be an allergen to that cat.
Other allergy tests involve checking the blood for high levels of
specific antibodies to different allergens. There is usually a correlation
between antibody levels in the blood and allergic reactions, and specif-
ic antibodies can pinpoint specific allergens.
If allergens are identified, a cat can receive allergy antigen injections
that desensitize her to the substances she is allergic to. Most cats receive
these “allergy shots” starting off weekly, and owners can learn to give
the injections themselves.The injections contain small amounts of anti-
gens that the cat is sensitive to, and this amount is slowly increased with
each injection.This hyposensitization therapy is about 70 percent effec-
tive, but it can take 6 to 12 months to see results.
Treatment of atopy may include cortisone, given orally or by injec-
tion, antihistamines, fatty acids, antigen injections and antibiotics for
secondary skin infections.
Food Allergies
Cats with food allergies are usually itchy around their heads and ears.
Although intradermal skin tests and antibody blood tests can identify
some food antigens, the best way to diagnose a food allergy is with a
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