Food allergy (hypersensitivity or food intolerance) is a common skin disorder in dogs and cats that is caused by an allergic reaction to food. The component of the food that the animal reacts to is the protein. Most common proteins include: beef, chicken, fish, egg, dairy, soy, corn, wheat, rice. However there is also concern with other components of diets including preservatives, additives and dyes. Because this is an acquired disease, the animal often has been fed the food for months to years prior to the onset of the allergy.
Food allergy (hypersensitivity or food intolerance) is a common skin disorder in dogs and cats that is caused by an allergic reaction to food. The component of the food that the animal reacts to is the protein. Most common proteins include: beef, chicken, fish, egg, dairy, soy, corn, wheat, rice. However there is also concern with other components of diets including preservatives, additives and dyes. Because this is an acquired disease, the animal often has been fed the food for months to years prior to the onset of the allergy.
The most common signs of food allergy are non-seasonal itching, licking and chewing. In dogs, the itch tends to be generalized, but the ears, face, feet and rear may be more severely affected. Some dogs may exhibit signs of recurrent ear and skin infections as the only manifestation of food allergy. Food allergy in cats usually affects the face and neck, and the itch may be so severe that the animal scratches itself until it bleeds or there is significant hair loss. Up to 35% of animals with food allergies have accompanying gastrointestinal signs (vomiting, diarrhea, soft or mucousy bowel movements). In both species, the disease may be poorly responsive to steroids (prednisone). The majority of dogs and cats with food allergies manifest clinical signs at a very young (less than one year of age) and extremely old age. However, the problem may occur at any age.
The diagnosis of food allergy involves a food elimination trial. There is currently no other accurate test to determine if your pet has a food allergy. The blood testing for food allergies offered by several independent laboratories across the country provide too many false positive and false negative results. It is believed that animals may react to allergens in their food for up to six weeks or more; therefore a restrictive diet must be given for up to 6 – 8 weeks. Because food allergy is an acquired disease (a food component becomes allergenic after being fed), only foods that the animal has never eaten before may be used. One protein source and one carbohydrate source are chosen and all other foods are discontinued. It is important to be complete when relating your animal’s diet history so that an appropriate diet may be chosen for your pet.
Most common limited ingredient diets available for food trials include: venison and potato or sweet potato, duck and potato or sweet potato, kangaroo and oat, fish and potato or sweet potato, rabbit and potato. Many of these diets are prescription diets which can be purchased through your Watt Avenue Pet Hospital located in Sacramento.
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