http://www.care2.com/greenliving/treat-pet-allergies-holistically.html
Treat Pet Allergies Holistically
By Shawn Messonnier, DVM, Natural Solutions magazine
Cats and dogs can suffer terribly from allergies. And, just like people, they can react to any number of allergens–including substances in the environment like dust and pollen or foods like corn and wheat. But despite these similarities, allergies manifest quite differently in animals than they do in people. You may have a runny nose, itchy eyes, or clogged sinuses when you have an allergy attack, but cats and dogs experience most of their suffering in their skin. So, if Fluffy is scratching like crazy, licking her skin, or losing fur, chances are she’s allergic to something.
These symptoms can also point to infections or thyroid disease, so be sure to have a veterinarian examine your pet thoroughly to rule them out before moving forward with any allergy treatment. And don’t be surprised if things move slowly. So many sources of allergens exist, you may need to do a bit of sleuthing and resort to a process of elimination to pinpoint exactly what your pet is reacting to.
Conventional treatments abound for allergy symptoms, but they bring with them a host of potential problems. Start with a more holistic approach, which begins with identifying the allergen and making environmental, nutritional, and natural supplement modifications to build your pet’s resistance to it.
The conventional approach
The conventional approach to allergies relies heavily on the use of medications–mainly corticosteroids (such as prednisone) or antihistamines. While antihistamines are usually safer than corticosteroids, they still can present some real challenges. First, it may take some trial and error to find an antihistamine that works for your pet. Second, you’ll probably have to administer the medication two to three times a day. If you’ve ever tried to give your dog (or worse your cat!) a pill, you know what a pain that can be–for both of you. Finally, some pets get very drowsy with antihistamines, so you may be forced to try a number of options before you find one that’s acceptable.
Corticosteroids work extremely well and very quickly–usually within 24 hours–but unfortunately they carry with them a number of side effects ranging from the bothersome (like increased urination) to the potentially lethal (like immune-system suppression). Short-term use of corticosteroids may offer one avenue of treatment, even in a holistic approach, but long-term use is dangerous and ill advised, except when euthanasia is the only alternative. If your doctor suggests corticosteroids for your pet, make sure you’ve exhausted all natural alternatives first. If corticosteroids are the only answer, give them on a short-term, as-needed basis using as low a dose as possible.
The holistic approach
While the integrative approach doesn’t rule out medications like antihistamines or corticosteroids to treat acute flare-ups of itching, it focuses on reviewing your pet’s habits and lifestyle to figure out the best way to stop the itch.
Diet
Proper diet provides the foundation upon which all integrative pet-care programs are based. Simply put, your pet is what she eats, and food allergies are quite common. Unfortunately, they can also be difficult to diagnose, because a dog can continue to show allergic symptoms for up to three months after you’ve removed the offending food from his diet. Among the more common food allergies are beef, chicken, pork, milk, eggs, whey, fish, corn, soy, wheat preservatives, and lamb. Processed food and byproducts can also pose problems, so if you suspect that food is the culprit, feed your pet only high-quality, natural pet foods or prepare homemade meals–either cooked or raw. If your pet suffers from food allergies, the best way to identify the offending cuisine is by process of elimination. Switch to a hypoallergenic diet (ask your veterinarian for details) and gradually add foods back into the diet.
Supplement Support
Some nutritional supplements can help decrease the inflammation response at the heart of allergy flare-ups, and they can also boost immune function and heal damaged skin. Important caveat: You must consult your veterinarian before giving your pet any dietary supplements. Serious side effects can result, so let your doctor be the one to diagnose and prescribe. Most pets, with their vets’ approval, can benefit from a general health maintenance supplement (with vitamins, minerals, and immune-supporting nutrients), omega-3 oils to control inflammation, and antioxidants to boost the immune system. Other supplements might help, depending on your pet’s symptoms.
Exposure to toxins
Most pets receive far too many vaccines, which may harm the immune system and intensify the itching in an allergic pet. Instead of following the standard vaccination protocol, have your vet perform a simple blood antibody test called a titer test to determine if and when your pet might need vaccinations.
While monthly heartworm preventive medication is important in areas affected by heartworm, most pets don’t need annual chemical flea and tick control. Instead, only use this if your pet actually has fleas or ticks, or better yet, ask your holistic vet to prescribe a natural program that can help alleviate parasites.
Environmental irritants such as dust, mildew, and mold commonly contribute to allergies in both pets and people. If your pet’s allergies come on seasonally, ragweed, grass, or pollen may be the culprit. Your pet’s bedding could also be making him sick–either the material or the detergent you use to wash it–or even the cleaning supplies you use in your house.
Baths
Frequent bathing with a soothing, all-natural shampoo (such as one that combines oatmeal and aloe vera) is an essential step in removing antigens from your pet’s fur and skin. Regular bathing minimizes itching and inflammation and appears to cut down on the amount of medication animals need.
Finally, try to be patient. It takes time to see the impact of reducing the allergens in your pet’s surroundings and in her diet, and nutritional supplements can take up to a month to take effect. It’s important to work with a holistic veterinarian you trust to find the best course of treatment. Allergies can be difficult and frustrating for both you and your pet, but supporting Fluffy’s–or Fido’s–whole being in its efforts to ward off allergies will be well worth the effort in the long run.
Natural Solutions: Vibrant Health, Balanced Living offers its readers the latest news on health conditions, herbs and supplements, natural beauty products, healing foods and conscious living. Click here for a free sample issue.
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I have a 4 year old cat who at age 3 came down with some type of allergy causing her to itch and have hair loss. We rescued her when she was a kitten and she has always been kept indoors. I have had her examined by my vetrinarian and by a vetrinarian allergist and neither can pin point the cause but did recommend I try switching her diet which was Science Diet. The hair loss is only on her legs, abdomen and tail. I have had her on prescription limited ingredient feline food for 3 months but it doesn't seem to be improving the problem. My next plan is to switch to a hypoalergenic litter and wash all of her beding in hot water with no detergent. If anyone has any other ideas or suggestions I could try, I would appreciate hearing from you. Thanks.
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Excellent article. My dog, a Shih Tzu (rescue, of course!) suffers from allergies - to the point he would chew himself raw. It was when I switched him from Heartgard to Sentinel that we realized he is allergic to beef! He has other allergies, like grass mold, but now he is doing so much better on a limited ingredients, vegetarian diet.
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Thank you for this informative article. My kitty, Pi, was in poor health until I switched her food from Purina (Cat Chow, O.N.E.) to Science Diet. Her vitality and energy jumped, her skin cleared up, her itching disappeared, and her fur became thick and lush. I strongly suspect an allergy to corn may have been the problem.
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I was intrigued by the statement "Among the more common food allergies are beef, chicken, pork, milk, eggs, whey, fish, corn, soy, wheat preservatives, and lamb." I wonder why almost all dog foods contain two or more of these ingredients? Ever tried buying treats without chicken? Very hard to find.
I have our cocker spaniel on a limited ingredients (LID) dog food and it keeps him from getting itchy. Our previous dog was allergic to chicken. It gave him tummy distress that made him eat grass and fibers, sometimes worse things. The vet gave him seizure meds but it turned out we just needed to change to special dog food.
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My puddy gets serious food allergies, even though I was feeding him top foods. I'm now down to making it for him once a week, and am fortunate to have found a naturopathic vet to help me. I can't even feed or water him out of plastic, which is probably good for everyone to avoid. I also have to use special kitty litter, like the pine kind, but it's at least better environmentally. I HATE the kind that's big because you can't scoop it until it's wet and gross, and then it falls through. I recomend the scoopable. I don't know why they make it the other way, UGH! Anyhow, a couple things my vet mentioned, that's common in cats w/food allergies (to look out for because mine didn't show up til he was 13, and it cost me tons), is bad teeth. Of all the cats I've ever known, his went bad very quickly, no matter what I did. And she also told me NOT to waste my money on an allergy test, since his problems are with food, it's very hard to predict that way. If anyone wants help with a cat who has similar problems to mine, feel free to contact me and I'll try to help if I can. Good luck!
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There is probably nothing safer and more effective to clean up your pet's body of vaccine additives like mercury than using NCD. That's stuff has contributed to saving my little Min Pin at least 3 times for other poisonings and injuries that lead to temporary paralysis once. ALL things happen Friday nights when the vets are all closed for the weekend. The joys of living in a small town!
Of course changing the diet of a dog is crucial for allergies but for environmental causes check out the NCD. I have pages and pages of other people's pet experiences that I'd be willing to share. Just email me at: detoxexpert@gmail.com.
Here's my own naughty dog blogpost:
http://members.ncdpro.com/detoxqueen/blog/2008/09/09/my_naughty_dog
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I have a little Jack Russell who is allergic to just about everything. It's a constant battle. I have put together a Tips page for those interested in what I have learned in dealing with her allergies. You might find it helpful.
Hugs, Jeri
http://www.dailylivinghealthtips.com/html/dog_allergy_tips.html
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We are 2 Maltese dogs. Thanks for this great information. We are posting it on our Links page. Love, your PaLs, LuLu and LoLLy. http://www.luluandlolly.com
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