If you own a pet that suffers from skin allergies, take heart - you are not alone! Allergic skin disease is probably the most common affliction seen by veterinarians across the country. Left unchecked, allergies can greatly reduce your pet's quality of life (not to mention yours) and lead to secondary infections. Skin allergies can rarely be cured; however, they can be managed. The following are some of the tools your veterinarian has at his/her disposal that can be used to help control itching and reduce skin inflammation.

Steroid Anti-inflammatories
Control itching and allergic reaction by suppressing immune response. Long-term use can have deleterious side effects, yet used wisely, steroids can greatly improve the quality of life for the itchy pet. Examples: Vetalog®, DepoMedrol®, Prednisolone

Orthomolecular/Bioflavonoid Therapy
Designed to stabilize the immune system, plus mediate the prostaglandins and leukotrienes that cause inflammation and allergic responses. Recommended Product: Proanthozone®

Antimicrobial Therapy
Skin allergies in pets are often accompanied by secondary bacterial and yeast infections on the inflamed skin, which in themselves can cause intense itching. Antibiotics and/of antifungal medications, either oral or topical, can help eliminate these infections and reduce itching.

Omega 3/Omega 6 Fatty Acids
Decrease the production of inflammatory prostaglandins, which can help reduce itching in
allergic pets. Recommended Products: Derm-caps®; 3V-Caps®

Antihistamines
Do little to control itching, yet help to calm allergic pets. Recommended Products: Benadryl® 1 mg per pound every 8 to 12 hours; Atarax® 1 mg per pound every 12 hours; Claritin® ¼ mg per pound once daily. 

Food Allergy Trial
Feeding a hypoallergenic diet will help rule out/treat food allergies; however, you must feed it for at least 4 months before passing judgment on its effectiveness. Ingredients that can cause food allergies include beef, milk, chicken, yeast, wheat, corn, and soy. In cats, fish-based diets can exacerbate allergies. Recommended Products: Venison-based Diets or Lamb Diets WITHOUT wheat or corn.

Hyposensitization Therapy
Requires allergy testing, followed by a series of injections of the exact allergens or agents that the testing finds to be causing the reaction. Improvement may take some time. Monthly injections usually required for the life of the pet. Serum can be expensive.

Cyclosporine (Atopica®) Therapy
Cyclosporine is a drug that suppresses the immune response without the side effects associated with steroids. It, however, can have its own side effects (related to immune suppression) and should be used under the supervision of a veterinary dermatologist. Treatment is expensive.

Other Control Measures Recommended:
Flea control
Daily brushing
Topical Colloidal Oatmeal Conditioning Spray – apply prior to brushing.