They can't tell you what they're allergic to. That's where we come in.

Skin problems and allergy

What is an allergy?

Just like humans, dogs, cats and horses can be allergic. The immunological mechanisms underlying allergy in dogs, cats and horses are essentially the same as in humans. Allergy is a condition of hypersensitivity to substances which are common and harmless to most animals. The hypersensitivity is caused by a dysfunction in the pet’s immune system. The substances that cause allergy – allergens – include pollens, mites, moulds, insects and foods.

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What is the itch threshold?

The pruritic (itch) threshold is the point at which the pet begins to itch and scratch. The pruritic threshold is unique for each patient. A pet who is allergic to dust mites can appear normal until the pet develops a new allergy to pollens for example. The mite allergy may not cause enough discomfort to scratch whereas the summation effect of the two allergies combined may trigger the pet to cross the pruritic threshold. This will result in excessive itching and scratching.

Dog allergies

Canine allergic disease (atopy) often presents as a skin disease known as atopic dermatitis. Up to 15% of dogs suffer from an atopic condition. Atopy is a hereditary form of allergy to pollen of plants (for example grasses, weeds, trees), fungi or various dust and storage mites.

The first symptoms typically occur between 1-3 years of age (around 75% of all cases). Sporadically, symptoms occur in animals under 6 months of age.

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Cat allergies

Like dogs, our feline friends can experience atopic dermatitis too. Allergy to flea bites is the most common cause together with environmental allergy.

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Horse allergies

Just like dogs and cats, horses too can be allergic. Insects, weeds, grasses and tree pollens often cause allergies in horses. Other allergic triggers are dust mites, foods and moulds contained in damp hay or straw.

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Food allergies

Symptoms of an atopic pet and one suffering from food allergy are sometimes similar. In addition to itchy skin, ear infections, excessive feet licking and gastrointestinal problems like diarrhea and vomiting are common in pets with food allergy. The symptoms typically come year-round.

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Allergy testing

A proper allergy diagnosis requires a thorough physical examination including a complete dermatological history. Clinical skills and experience help to differentiate the pet allergies from one with itchy skin caused by another issue. All other known causes of itching must be ruled out before hypersensitivity can be diagnosed. When other triggers of the symptoms can be ruled out, allergy testing should be your next step.

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Allergy treatment

The premier choice for treating allergy is immunotherapy. It is an all-natural solution which is safe, effective and for long-term use. After determining what the dog, cat or horse is allergic to through our test, our immunotherapy keeps the condition under control ensuring that that the symptoms are greatly reduced or even eliminated.

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Alergovet Therapy

Pets that have symptoms for 3 months, or more, in a year can be considered for allergen-specific immunotherapy such as Alergovet Immunotherapy. The treatment helps to ensure that the condition is kept under control and that the symptoms are greatly reduced or even eliminated.

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Short-term allergy solutions

There are a number of options for short-term solutions (symptomatic drugs) to help control your pet’s allergy symptoms. Our recommendation is to use these products in conjunction with immunotherapy to ensure your pet is comfortable but with a long-term goal of only administering natural allergy treatment – immunotherapy – for your pet’s condition. Allergen-specific immunotherapy is a safe, effective and long-term treatment. It’s unique as it address the root cause, not only the symptoms, of allergy.

Today there are three key short-term allergy treatment product categories. While these do not fight the root cause, they provide comfort by suppressing the allergic reactions but most come with side-effects.

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