Animal Medical Center & Associates P.C.

• Itchy feet… itchy ears… itchy rears?  THINK ALLERGY. Flaky skin… greasy smell… excess shedding… hot spots? THINK ALLERGY. Ear infections…? THINK ALLERGY.

• Allergy reactions release immunoglobulin’s that cause mast cells to release histamine, kinins, bradiokinins, heparins, prostaglandins, etc. creating an inflammatory response… and the symptoms begin.

• The damaged skin also loses its ability to protect itself so things that normally may not bother it, can. These include bacteria, fungi, mange mites, etc.

• By the time the doctor sees the miserable pet there are often three or four things that need treating besides the underlying allergy problem. (Not to mention the damage caused by self-mutilation.)

• Sometimes it’s hard to tell which problem was the original one. The secondary problems can be worse than the primary problem. Or, you fix one disease state, only to find there are more.

• It can be like a detective investigation. Some refer to it as peeling an onion’s layers.

TREATMENT OPTIONS

These pets are not LOW-MAINTNECE patients! There is NOT USUALLY a TOTAL CURE!  But their condition is CONTROLLABLE.

We use the following steps:

AVOIDANCE: Certain ingredients in their food; fleas; the outside; wipe their feet; remove carpet and drapes (dust mites); cover their bed with plastic; wash stuffed toys; limit storage mite activity by buying smaller bags of food; keep out of basement (mold); wool carpet restriction, etc.

DESENSITIZE by IMMUNOTHERAPY: This is a “Natural” approach, using a small amount of what the animal is actually allergic to build a tolerance. (It creates a special immunoglobulin that blocks the mast cell system from releasing toxins.)          NOTE: Choice 1 & 2 require ALLERGY TESTING. This is a simple blood test that tells us what to avoid in the diet and environment (such as wheat, beef, wool, etc).  It also tells us what to use in a “desensitization” kit (such as house-dust, mold spores, pollens, etc.)

BATHING: Washing off pollens, bacteria, yeast, house dust, fleas and their eggs and larva, etc. The results of a bath only last 72 hours at most. Twice a week baths may be necessary.

FLEA CONTROL: Fleas have venom in their saliva that causes intense itching from one hour after the bite to three days later. Almost 100% of allergic pets have allergies to fleas on top of whatever else they are allergic to.

MANGE MITE CONTROL: One out of five itchy dogs has mange. These tiny bugs eat on the skin and make it even less resistant to other problems. And they cause plenty of misery on their own. They are usually simple to control with baths, injections, or systemic pest control medicine, but are often forgotten in the treatment plan.

MEDICINES: Antihistamines, cortisone, antibiotics, immune suppressants, psycogenics, nutricuticals, and topicals.

• Antihistamines: There are six classes of antihistamines. Benadryl is rarely effective by itself. Antihistamines are often used in combination or in addition to other medicines. Some are very expensive. Some are prescription only. Doses aren’t exact. As in humans, trial and error to find the one that works best for the individual is usually required.
• Cortisone: Often the only thing that works. There are many kinds. Typical side effects (10% of patients) include increased thirst, urination, and hunger… but these can be dealt with by adjusting dose or changing drugs. Larger doses every other day are better than small doses every day, and can be used indefinitely. Animals rarely have long term problems with cortisone therapy if used carefully.
• Antibiotics: Many animals have infection superimposed onto the already damaged skin. Some are actually allergic to the bacteria themselves, or the toxins the microorganisms leave on the skin. Many have yeast infections that require special medicine and baths. Some require “pulse” antibiotic therapy… every two weeks a regimen of antimicrobial drugs. (Pets’ “personal hygiene” is poor at best!)
• Immune suppressants: Atopica (cyclosporine) really works but is incredibly costly so is not used in veterinary medicine as often as it could be.
• Psychogenic drugs: Although used for mood and behavior modification, they can have good anti-allergy effects as well, and reduce their agitation. These include tricyclic antidepressants, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, etc.
• Nutriceuticals: This includes vitamins, essential fatty acids, essential fat soluble vitamins (A, D, and E). These can have anti-inflammatory properties and provide building blocks to help the skin heal. Seborrhea (disease of the skin’s oil glands) is common secondary to any skin disease and is treated with nutriceuticals (as well as topicals and baths).
• Topicals:  These include ointments containing antibiotics, anti-fungals, cortisone, and topical anesthetics. Also “soapless shampoos” with emollients and hydration properties are used in sprays and wipes. Shampoos are topicals and can contain antimicrobials etc.

MOST SKIN CASES REQUIRE THE USE OF ALL THE ABOVE. It often takes a year (all four seasons) to get the pet’s allergy “picture” complete, and the individual reasonably close to 100% well. As time goes by the individual may develop allergies/sensitivities to new things complicating the process, and requiring re-testing. Also re-infection is common, as is re-infestation by mange mites, etc.