Pet Care for Dogs, Cats and other Aninals in Naples and Lehigh

Cat Allergies

Cats, just like humans, can have allergies to things around them. In fact, allergies are one of the most common conditions affecting cats. The good news is this is a treatable condition.

Cause

An allergy is when the cat's immune system overreacts to foriegn substances (allergins), Inhalant allergies and food allergies. Common causes for allergies include; fleas, flea collars, bedding materials (Such as wool), pollens from trees and grasses, molds, mildew, dust mites and food.

Symptoms

Symptoms depend on whether the allergy is from skin contact (Such as fleas and flea collars), inhaled (Such as pollens and mold) or ingested (such as food allergies). As cats symtoms to allergy causing substances are similar to himan symptoms with a little detective work you should be able to determine the cause of most allergies. For instance sneezing may indicate an allergy to pollen or mold.

Treatment

There are several ways to treat allergies in cats. They include:

1) Removal of allergen source - if allergy is caused by foods then changing foods will help. If allergies are caused by fleas bites then eliminate the flees. sometimes it is impossible to remove the allergen source because it may be due to pollen in the air or dust in the home.

2) The use of antihistamines or corticosteriods.

3) Desensitizing the patient. Identify the allergens the the cat is sensitive to through skin testing and/or blood tests and then formulating an injectable that is given at regular intervals until the cats immune system response diminishes.