Causes and Treatment of pet allergies.

Allergies occur when a pet reacts to food, pollution, chemical, dust, plant pollen, or/and something that is usually harmless to the body. The body tries to protect itself from the allergen. Thus, depending on where the allergy is occuring that organ reacts to the foreign substance. It could be a skin allergy and thus we see rashes or we see diarrhea caused by a food allergy. The reaction we see is the bodies way of expelling the foreign material. Many different types of reactions can occur as a result of the body fighting the foreign substance. This is why it is called an auto-immune disease.

Therefore, to treat the pet allergy more information would need to be gathered from the pet and pet’s owner. Your veterinarian would need to know a full history. The following are some examples of allergies and how they would be treated. I have also included some more information from my resources regarding cause and treatment of pet allergies.

From British Institute of Homeopathy:

Allergic Asthma - Belladonna, Aspergillis, Aconite, Pulsate, Silcea

Allergic Dermatitis - Pollentinum - Poumon Histamine, Allergen 12X, Lachesis, Lycopodium

Allergic Reaction - Apis Mel, Nux Vom, Arsen Alb

Allergic Rhinitis - Poumon Histamine-Pollentinum, Nux Vom

Allergies - Specific Allergen 6X (for example Dog Hair 6X)

Allergy to Cats - Rhus Tox and Apis, Cat Hair and Saliva

Allergy - Chemical - Arsen Iodatum, Specific Chemical 12X

Allergy - Milk - Nat Carb, Lac Defloratum, Milk 6X. Eliminate all dairy products from diet

Allergy - Tea - Thuja and Lycopodium

According to Dr. Pitcairn, from his book titled “Dr. Pitcairn’s Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs and Cats”:

“An allergy is an abnormally intense reaction to something that is usually harmless to the body - wheat, house dust or plant pollen, for example. A reaction against some part of the body itself - like the skin, pancreas or thyroid - is called an auto-immune disease.”

“My impression is that the incidence of allergies and immune disorders has greatly increased since I first entered practice 30 years ago. Now these are among the most common conditions we are asked to treat.”

“Allergies show themselves differently in dogs than they do in cats. Dogs typically have itchy skin and eruptions, especially on the lower back near the base of the tail. However, these eruptions can occur anywhere and everywhere on the body. Other commonly associated symptoms are inflamed ears, excessive licking of the front feet, digestive upsets (gurgling, gas and a tendency toward diarrhea), inflammation of the toes and anirritated rear end (anus, genitals) with licking and dragging of the rear on the floor. Though other symptoms can also occur, this is a typical picture.”

“Like dogs, cats can also have skin eruptions, often called miliary dermatitis. Cats are more prone, however, to cystitis (bladder inflammation) and digestive problems. Often times, there is no visible eruption on the skin, but cats will be greatly annoyed by stinging or biting sensation of the skin so that they are always jumping around, frantically licking themselves and pulling hair out in clumps. They act as though fleas were causing it.”

“Two similar immune disorders that occur - hyperthyroidism and inflammatory bowel disease - are chronic and serious conditions that require careful treatment. In his opinion, the major causes of these immune disorders are the frequent use of combination vaccinations, feeding pets commercial food diets and overuse of cortisone drugs to suppress symptoms= all of which together have greatly weakened the immune system of animals over several generations.”

Whatever the causes, once established the problem is very difficult to eliminate.

According to Dianne Stein’s book titled, “The Natural Remedy Book for Dogs and Cats”:

“The immune system of a human or animal is finely tuned to defend the body from foreign substances and disease bacteria or viruses. Sometimes it overreacts, and sometimes the immune response is so overworked from pollution and a chemicalized toxic environment that it reacts unnecessarily.”

“Holistic physician James F. Balch defines “allergy” as “ the inappropriate response by the body’s immune system to a substance that is not normally harmful.” Allergens are found in foods; inhaled as pollens, molds, dust, feathers; and transmitted by insect stings or flea bites (as when an allergy to flea saliva results in persistent itching rash), or by skin contact with irritants (detergents, flea collars, insecticides, petroleum products).”

“Any animal or person can become allergic to just about anything including chemical medicatons and even herbs. An allergic cat or dog may scratch, break out into skin rashes, have runny eyes and sinusitis, cough, have recurrent urinary tract infections, vomit frequently or experience diarrhea and gas. Dogs with inhalant allergies will often chew their feet. At the extreme end of allergic emergencies is anaphylactic shock, a violent reaction that can be life-threatening.”

“Hyperactivity in pets may be a food-allergy reaction. About a third of pet allergies are food sensitivities, often to the chemicals, dyes, flavorings, and preservatives in commercial pet foods. Dogs and cats have low tolerance for chemicals, toxins and petroleum products, but are surrounded by them.”

“Homeopathy:

For runny, reddened eyes and runny nose with no other symptoms, try Euphrasia.

Sudden blotchy rashes or swellings on the head or body respond to Urtica urens.

Rhus tox is for the early stage of contact dermatitis, for itching, for burning rashes, and particularly for poison ivy exposure.

Rashes of fine dry bumps, especially on the face, with the pet irritable and wanting to be left alone, respond to Bryonia.

Bee stings or allergic reactions that look like bee stings - the skin is hot and dry with angry red lesions, and the dog or cat is depressed or irritable - respond to Apis.

Sulphur may be helpful with any skin rash, particularly when remedies fail.

First aid measures for anaphylactic shock include Aconite at first onset. This may end the attack if used immediately. Dr. Gloria Dodd also recommends Apis 6X and Nature’s Remedy (Rescue Remedy) rubbed into the animal’s gums; in acute cases, use every 10 minutes for 1 hour, then hourly as needed.

For other animal symptoms….. look under appropriate directory e.g. diarrhea, constipation, skin and coat ailments, digestive problems, etc.”

The above information is intended to give you more information about the causes and treatment or pet allergies. If you have more questions, please consult a holistic veterinarian.

This article written by T. Nowak, (c) copyright 1999-2004, all rights reserved. www.pets4life.com