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A food allergy is a condition in which
the body's immune system reacts adversely to a food
or an ingredient in a food. Any food or food
ingredient can cause an allergy. However, protein,
usually from the meat source of the food, is the most
likely offender. Proteins commonly found in dog foods
are derived from beef, chicken, lamb, and horsemeat.
Lamb and Rice Diets
Although many people think lamb and rice
diets are hypoallergenic, they are not. They are not
inherently less likely to cause allergy than other
diets. However, they have this reputation. Here is
why. Several years ago there were no dog foods
on the commercial market that contained lamb. A manufacturer
of prescription dog foods formulated a food from lamb
that was suitable for allergy testing, which will be
explained below. Because of that situation, lamb-based
dog food was considered "hypoallergenic."
Food Allergy Testing
Dogs are not likely to be born with food
allergies. More commonly, they develop allergies to
food products they have eaten for a long time. The
allergy most frequently develops in response to the
protein component of the food; for example, beef, pork,
chicken, or turkey. Food allergy may produce any of
the clinical signs previously discussed, including
itching, digestive disorders, and respiratory distress.
We recommend testing for food allergy when the clinical
signs have been present for several months, when the
dog has a poor response to steroids, or when a very
young dog itches without other apparent causes of allergy.
Testing is done with a special hypoallergenic diet.
Because it takes at least 4 weeks for all other food
products to get out of the system, the dog must eat
the special diet exclusively for 4-8 weeks (or more).
If positive response occurs, you will be instructed
on how to proceed. If the diet is not fed exclusively,
it will not be a meaningful test. We cannot overemphasize
this. If any type of table food, treats or vitamins
are given, they must be discontinued during the testing
period. There may be problems with certain types of
chewable heartworm preventative, as well. Your veterinarian
will discuss this with you.
Because dogs that are being tested for inhalant allergy generally
itch year round, a food allergy dietary test can be performed
while the inhalant test and antigen preparation are occurring.
INSTRUCTIONS: (Instructions that are
specific for your dog will be indicated after the veterinary
exam.)
1) If your dog is prescribed a hypoallergenic diet the dog
must eat exclusively that diet. If it will not do so readily,
mix it 25:75 with the current diet for several days, then
gradually increase the special diet to 100%. If this does
not work, contact us for an alternative plan. Discontinue
any chewable treats or vitamins, including heartworm preventatives.
Table food is not allowed. Offer only distilled water to
drink, if that is possible.
2) If an injection of steroids was given.
Relief should be apparent within 12-24 hours. If not,
contact us. The dog should feel better and itch less
for about one month. If an increase in water consumption
or urination occurs, please report this to us for future
reference. These side-effects are common with steroid
administration and will go away in a few days without
treatment. Return for further evaluation when the first
signs of itching recur.
3) Begin oral steroids when the first signs of itching return.
Give the number of tablets prescribed every other morning.
Adjust the dosage upward or downward to the lowest effective
dose, with a maximum dose of permitted. Stop giving the medication
every 4-6 months to see if there are times of the year when
therapy is not needed. Report any increase in water consumption
to us at once.
4) The vet may give you oral steroid tablets. Prednisone is
most commonly used. The specific drug being dispensed for your
dog will be labeled on the bottle. Give tablets exactly as
prescribed. Continue this downward progression prescribed until
the first signs of itching recur. At that time, go back to
the next higher level and report that level to us (so we can
be sure it is a safe level). Stop giving the tablets every
4-6 months to see if there are periods of the year when they
are not necessary. When itching returns, begin immediately
at the maintenance dose. If that does not stop the itching,
increase the dosage slightly (to a maximum number of prescribed
tablets) for a few doses, then return to the lower dose. Report
any increase in water consumption to us at once. (This may
occur at the initial dose but should stop on the maintenance
dose.)
5) Your dog may a flea allergy or may have enough fleas to
make the other allergy problem worse. Flea control is very
important and should include treating the dog and its environment.
Bear in mind that flea allergies often accompany other types
of allergies, especially inhalant allergy.
6) If your dog has a bacterial skin infection secondary to
allergy. The following may be prescribed. a.) Antibiotics.
If the infection is not gone by the time the medication is
completed, call for a refill or for a change in medication.
b.) Medicated shampoo to be used in the prescribed fashion and
for the prescribed number of days. Follow all directions allowing
the shampoo to stay in the hair coat for a few minutes before
thoroughly rinsing the dog.
c.) Topical medication to be used several times a day for a
prescribed number of days.
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