Making Cat and Dog Allergies More Manageable in Lexington, KY

Atopic dermatitis is a condition in which your pet becomes hypersensitive to certain substances in their environment, such as pollens, grass, dust, human/animal dander, or mold. Clinical signs of this condition include scratching, chewing, and licking at the feet and other itchy areas of the body, recurrent skin and ear infections, hair loss, and reddening of the skin.

Yeast is a fungus that naturally exists on your pet’s skin. However, if they have an excess of yeast, this can result in a yeast infection. Yeast infections are typically secondary issues arising from an environmental allergy or food allergy. Any area of the skin, including the ears, can be affected by yeast, which gives off a noticeable odor. Itchiness, redness, irritation, and a greasy, matted coat are just some of the signs associated with a yeast infection.

Dogs are especially prone to ear infections, many of which are caused by atopic dermatitis or a food allergy. The canine ear is also often a healthy breeding ground for yeast and bacteria, because it holds in moisture. Signs of an ear infection in your pet may include odor, shaking of the head, scratching or rubbing at the ear(s), and inflammation and redness of the outer ear. Infected ears can also be quite painful for pets.

Certain food ingredients can also trigger allergies in dogs and cats. Proteins such as beef, pork, and eggs can be potential culprits, but food dyes and other additives may also cause problems for your pet. Yeast infections are one possible indicator of a food allergy, but vomiting could also be a symptom. To definitively diagnose a food allergy, we would need to put your pet on a strict diet for several months, then change back to see if that triggers an allergic reaction.