What are feline atopic allergies?
If your cat pulls hair, grooms excessively, has noticeable hair loss with inflamed patches and inflamed ears, then your cat may be suffering from an atopic allergy. It is an allergy that is caused when the animal inhales microscopic particles. Cats are very rarely born with this allergy and it usually develops after one year of life and becomes more intense as the animal gets older. Often these allergies are seasonal, similar to human atopic allergies. The animal can also show symptoms all year round if the cat is very sensitive or something else causes the cat to be allergic.
Diagnosing an atopic allergy can be very difficult because many cat allergies show very similar symptoms. The first thing to test for should be a simple food allergy. This can be tested very easily by simply switching the cat to a hypoallergenic food. If symptoms persist, you can rule out a food allergy. A vet can perform a full test to find out what the cat is actually reacting to. A veterinarian can perform a skin test or blood test and then direct you to appropriate treatment. The blood test is used to detect antibodies in the cat’s system. A skin test is often considered more accurate, but a blood test should be used if the cat is on other medications.
Immunotherapy is a great treatment option if a cat has allergies. Allergens to which the cat reacts are injected into the cat in increasing amounts, which alters the animal’s immune system. This is generally considered one of the safest ways to treat atopic allergy.
Shots can also be used. They are very similar to cortisone. However, this type of treatment can show many different side effects. This is because the injections are a type of hormones. The most common side effects of these injections are lethargy, excessive thirst, excessive appetite, and an inflamed pancreas. These injections can be given at home if the veterinarian decides to give the owner such options. The animal should be injected every three to six months.
If the injected steroids cause adverse reactions in the cat, then antihistamines can be an effective treatment. These treatments should be applied twice daily. Fatty acid supplements can also be an effective remedy. They work to stop the chemicals that irritate the skin by stopping their production.
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