Ask the vet: Cats and their allergies offer challenges

While their canine counterparts are much more prone to allergies, cats can be affected as well.

Unfortunately for our feline friends, they can be very challenging to accurately diagnose and treat. Dogs tend to be a little more straightforward, but your veterinarian may need to rule out some other less common causes of skin irritation in order to effectively treat your cat.

Allergies are classified into seasonal and non-seasonal. Seasonal allergies will extend spring to fall depending on the allergen and these often respond to a cortisone-type injection. Secondary skin infections are commonly associated with these outbreaks and antibiotics, either as an injection or oral, and may be prescribed by your veterinarian.

However, when the symptoms extend throughout the winter months a non-seasonal allergy must be considered. As you might expect, non-seasonal allergies arise from something in the indoor environment or diet that triggers a year-round response. Symptoms in cats include areas of hair loss, crusts, and scabs. Many times people will never notice the cat licking or scratching and patches of hairloss called alopecia can develop. It is not unusual for allergies to progress from a seasonal problem to all year long.

Dust mites, fabrics, molds, and insects are all common indoor allergens that can afflict cats and cats can even be allergic to human dander. Skin and blood tests are required to determine what items are troubling your cat. Once you have determined exactly what your cat is allergic to, injections can be formulated to desensitize his immune system.

However, I warn people that you are treating next year’s allergy season when you start the injections. Generally within a couple of months the symptoms are under control. Oral immunosuppressive medications like cyclosporin can be given to more quickly control the allergies, but one of the main drawbacks with oral cyclosporine involves giving a liquid to your cat every day.

Other less common considerations would be skin parasites or ringworm. Your veterinarian can culture for ringworm and often treatment to eliminate skin parasites is needed. Flea allergies are very common in cats and due to their grooming you may never see evidence of a flea, so your veterinarian will also probably recommend regular flea prevention. If your cat has an allergy to an ingredient in his diet, you will need to try feeding special protein and carbohydrate sources.

This is a frustrating series of trial and error, but it is the one allergy that can truly be cured if you determine the offending dietary item. Food trials need to be strictly adhered to ensure their success, so eliminating treats and people food will also be part of the process. Fortunately, cats do respond well to treatment once the culprit is found, so be patient and work with your veterinarian to find a solution that will bring some comfort to your cat.