The Itch is on

As pet allergies surge nationwide, veterinary clinics play a key role in managing chronic skin conditions.

People tend to associate allergy season with springtime, but for pets, allergy issues often spike twice a year – in late spring and early summer from May through July, and then again when the weather cools in October.

Instead of the itchy eyes and runny nose that plague most people, skin allergies are one of the most common conditions in dogs and cats and are often the underlying factor in ear infections. They can be caused by everything from allergies to fleas, indoor and outdoor environmental particles like dust, mold or pollen, or food sensitivities.

Earlier this year, pet insurer Trupanion reported that they are seeing an even higher number of allergy-related claims. In the past year alone, they’ve received nearly 328,000 allergy and otitis claims. Over the past five years, claims have increased 7% nationwide and by as much as 35% in several states, including New York, Massachusetts and Texas and 28% in California, Washington, and New Jersey.

These figures provide a good starting point for discussing skin and allergy issues with your clinics – particularly if they’re in an area which has seen a sharp increase in cases. Check their purchase history for the dermatology and allergy treatment products they’ve been ordering and look for any gaps where you can offer suggestions for items they may not have considered.

Pets with an allergic disease almost always suffer from pruritis, or itchy, inflamed skin. The constant scratching to try to relieve the itch makes life miserable for both pets and owners and decreases the pet’s quality of life. The chronic irritation of allergies often leads to secondary skin infections which require additional treatment.

Flea bite sensitivity or flea allergy dermatitis (FAD) is the most common canine skin disease and the main cause of allergic skin reactions in cats (feline miliary dermatitis.) FAD is caused by a reaction to flea saliva injected as they feed that contains a variety of histamine-like compounds. The pruritis caused by FAD can be severe and can spread over the animal’s entire body. If untreated, pets can suffer from hair loss (alopecia) and secondary bacterial or yeast infections. An effective flea prevention protocol is obviously a necessity for pets with FAD.

The second most common pet allergy is atopic dermatitis (AD) that affects about 12% of both dogs and cats. Nearly 60 dog breeds are considered to be predisposed to AD, and purebred cats seem to have a higher risk. Atopic dermatitis is an inherited predisposition to develop hypersensitivity to environmental allergens, and both species typically start to show clinical signs from 1 to 5 years of age. The epidermal barrier has been found to be abnormal in atopic pets, which allows allergens to penetrate the skin, orally, or even through the nose resulting in chronic inflammatory skin disease. The paws, axillae (or “armpits”), face and abdomen are common areas for pets to develop pruritis and secondary lesions since they have less hair and increased skin exposure to allergens.

Atopic dermatitis is a lifelong disease, but a multimodal treatment approach can greatly improve a pet’s quality of life. Treatment with systemic antipruritics is necessary for most cases of AD. Options to be familiar with include JAK inhibitors that work by blocking the Janus kinase (JAK) pathway, a crucial signaling pathway activated by cytokines. JAK inhibitors reduce the production of inflammatory cytokines and have a relatively fast onset of action decreasing inflammation and relieving the itch of AD. The two options include once-daily Zenrelia (ilunocitinib) and Apoquel (oclacitinib). Cytopoint is a biological therapy that targets and neutralizes IL-31, a protein that sends itch signals to the brain. Neutralizing IL-31 reduces scratching and allows the skin to heal. Cytopoint is a single injection given every 4 to 8 weeks, as needed. Atopica (cyclosporine) and corticosteroids are other systemic antipruritic options.

Topical therapies can not only decrease bacteria or fungus on the skin but may help restore the top layer of the epidermis. A variety of topicals are available in sprays, mousses and wipes so pet owners have options to increase compliance. Combined with topical treatments, bathing with high-quality antimicrobial shampoos containing 3% or 4% chlorhexidine remove allergens and soothes the surface of the skin.

Allergen-specific immunotherapy or ASIT, may be the best long-term treatment for AD, although it can be time-consuming and costly. It’s formulated based on the results of allergy testing and consists of giving gradually increasing quantities of the allergen extract to reduce or eliminate clinical signs associated with exposure to those causative allergens. ASIT can take up to a year for full effect and successful management usually requires lifelong therapy, but about 70% of pets have a positive response.

Diets and supplements high in fatty acids can help improve the skin barrier function of atopic pets. Many contain vitamins clinically proven to improve the epidermal layer and decrease pruritis. Your knowledge of the products you carry and auto-ship options directly to pet owners can help your clinics retain revenue and increase compliance.

Since pet allergies are a lifelong condition, diagnosing and treating them can be time-consuming, frustrating and expensive. Working closely with their veterinarian, pet owners can successfully manage their pet’s allergies, prevent secondary infections and give them a great quality of life. With allergy cases on the rise, knowing the many treatment options and products available are a valuable asset in helping your veterinary clients provide exceptional care for these challenging conditions.

Dawn Singleton-Olson has more than 25 years of experience in the animal health industry, including distributor sales, manufacturing, practice management and as a zoo supervisor. She is a volunteer, fundraiser and board trustee for several humane organizations and the Omaha (Neb.) Police Mounted Patrol.

Pet allergies

Allergies often have a genetic component, so certain dog breeds like cocker spaniels, English bulldogs and West Highland white terriers are known to have a higher tendency for allergies. Physical factors like long, heavy ears or the short snouts and facial folds of brachycephalic dogs can exacerbate skin allergies, so it’s no surprise that basset hounds, French bulldogs and pugs are prone to ear and skin problems.

Photo credits: istockphoto.com/Chalabala, istockphoto.com/dimarik