Food Elimination Trials: Identifying Allergies in Your Pets

Itching in small animals is an all too common problem seen in veterinary clinics. Red, inflamed, oozing lesions and rashes with bald spots appearing are hallmark signs of an allergic reaction occurring in your pet. Most often, these symptoms are caused by a cutaneous adverse food reaction, also known as a food allergy.

Food allergies put your pets in immense discomfort; and if left untreated can cause your pet to develop chronic inflammation, putting them at risk for secondary problems such as chronic bacterial and/or fungal skin and ear infections.

So, what causes these food reactions? Potential allergens include protein sources (chicken, turkey, beef, lamb, soy, dairy, eggs etc.) and carbohydrate sources (corn, rice, barley, wheat etc.).

When your pet consumes a protein or carbohydrate source in which they are allergic to, it is combined or altered in their body into a form which their immune system recognizes as a foreign invader. This causes their immune system to launch an attack against the substance, resulting in inflammation of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and/or other organ systems. In dogs and cats, it is their skin which most often suffers from this immunologic activity.

Some pets can have more than one food allergy, these allergies typically start in pets younger than 1 year or older than 7 years of age, but can be acquired at any time, even if the pet has been eating the same food for months to years.

Many people assume itching due to food allergy requires a recent diet change. However, in many cases this is not true.

Symptoms of Food Allergies

The main symptoms of food allergies in dogs and cats includes:

  • Nonseasonal itching of face, ears, body, groin, paws
  • Licking or chewing of paws and groin area
  • Hair loss
  • Redness of skin
  • Chronic ear and skin infections
  • About 20% of food-allergic pets also have GI signs such as flatulence, vomiting, diarrhea, loud intestinal sounds, or defecating more than four to five times a day
  • Dogs often scratch their face, ears, feet, groin or anal area or develop recurrent skin or ear infections
  • Cats may overgroom certain areas of the body or the whole body, exhibit intense itching at the face or neck, or develop ear infections

Diagnosis and Treatment of Food Allergies

There is only one accurate way to diagnose food allergies in animals, and that is done by an elimination diet trial. Elimination diet trials are performed by removing ALL foods currently fed to the animal and placing them on a strict, single protein diet for a minimum of 2 months. Unfortunately, while blood allergy panels are available for cats and dogs, the accuracy of these tests are questionable.

Elimination trial diets consist of either a home-cooked or prescription therapeutic diet containing protein and carbohydrate sources in which the pet has never been exposed to before and that are low on the allergenic index (less likely to cause allergic reactions). These diets often consist of novel proteins; such as rabbit, duck, venison, and kangaroo. If novel proteins are not selected, a hydrolyzed diet may be used. These diets contain common proteins (like chicken) which have been altered molecularly to not induce an allergic response in animals. The new elimination diet should be gradually introduced to the pet over a period of 7 days, this decreases the likeliness of GI problems developing as a result of sudden diet change.

How Long Does the Elimination Diet Trial Last?

At McQueen Animal Hospital, we like our elimination diet trials to last at least 2 months. This means 2 months of your pet strictly consuming only the prescribed diet and approved treats, nothing else. If the pet has a food allergy, we expect to see a 50% reduction in dermatologic signs like itching/scratching/licking after 2 months time. In some dogs, 12 weeks is needed to see resolution of allergy symptoms. In cats, 3-4 months on an elimination diet is often required before accurate diagnosis can be made.

Will My Pet Be on Prescription Food Forever?

The goal of elimination diet trials is not to have your pet on a prescription food for life, but rather to initially resolve their allergy symptoms so that we may begin reintroducing one by one more common protein sources and monitoring them for reactions.

To explain it simply,

If patient “Roxy” comes in with allergy symptoms and we place her on an elimination diet trial for 2 months, her allergy symptoms should subside by the end of the 8-week period if she does have a food allergy. If symptoms subside, Roxy has now been diagnosed with a food allergy. At this point, the veterinarian may suggest that Roxy be fed a more common type of protein again, let’s say, a chicken-based diet. If we place Roxy on this chicken-based diet and her allergy symptoms return (it may take days or weeks for the allergy symptoms to return) then we positively know that Roxy has a chicken allergy. She can then be placed back on the “safe” diet until her allergy symptoms resolve and once they do, we can introduce another protein to her and observe for reactions. This cycle is performed until a “safe” protein source is found. At this point (with the help of the veterinarian) pet-store brands may be considered. This process is not to be taken on by yourself, diet changes in animals with allergies should only be performed by veterinarians.

The End Goal

It is not our goal to have your pet on allergy medication for their entire life, allergy medications like Apoquel are only meant to be given as temporary relief of severe allergy symptoms in animals. Our goal is to find a diet for your pet which works best for you and your furry friend. Elimination diet trials are hard and require much diligence, but the pay-off is well worth it when done correctly. If elimination diet trial instructions are followed fully, your pet will be able to live comfortably consuming a diet which they enjoy that does not induce allergy symptoms in them.

McQueen Animal Hospital is proud to provide you with finest quality services in animal care in the Brampton region; we are located at 8975 McLaughlin Road, L6Y 0Z6 and are happy to answer any of your questions via phone at 905-455-7387.

Author: Jessica Wilkans, RVT at McQueen Animal Hospital

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Fleas and Your Pet

Fleas are endemic to most of the places throughout the world, including here in Ontario. While thankfully fleas are not active in the outdoor environment during the winter months, your pet can easily become infested with fleas if they frequent the outdoors in spring, summer, and fall without and preventative medication protecting them.

If you suspect your pet has fleas, please feel free to give out clinic a call and book an appointment with us so our experienced veterinarians may effectively treat your pet and household environment.

Does Natural Flea Prevention/Treatment Work?

Unfortunately, there is no highly effective natural flea prevention product currently on the market.

For natural flea sprays to be effective, they need to be constantly applied, rendering them fairly useless. Methods like frequent monthly bathing can be somewhat effective in preventing flea infestations.

Something to always keep in mind is that “natural” does not necessarily mean “safe” and Non-toxic”. Many essential oils can be toxic to your pet, some create skin eruptions, dermatitis, or they can be toxic upon ingestion during grooming. Additionally, the strong odour of these products can irritate your pet’s sensitive respiratory system, all of this in addition to their poor efficacy.

Does Garlic Prevent Fleas?

This old wives tale has done more harm than good to many pets. Plants like onions, leeks, garlic, shallots, scallions, chives, all are part of the Alliaceae family and are actually toxic to cats and dogs. In addition to being toxic, garlic does not protect your pet from or kill fleas.

Flea Life Cycle

Fleas are notoriously difficult to get rid of, below are some facts which prove just how difficult a flea infestation can be to manage.

  • Fleas are very hardy and can survive a trip through the washing machine
  • Once adult fleas finish feeding on your pet, they hop off into your home (which is why its important to treat the environment as well as the pet!)
  • Only 5% of the flea population is adult fleas, the remaining 95% are eggs, larvae and pupae
  • The transformation from egg to adult can take just 12–22 days
  • A single adult flea can lay 50 eggs a day (2,000 in her lifetime)

The Best Way to Combat Fleas

The best way to avoid dealing with a flea infestation is to prevent it from ever happening in the first place! During the warm weather months here in Ontario (from March until November) it is advised that you have your pets on monthly flea and tick preventatives in order to prevent a flea infestation from occurring.

At McQueen Animal Hospital, we offer many veterinary grade preventative products in oral and topical forms which you can give to your pet in order to protect them from getting fleas (and many other internal and external parasites too).

Myths About Fleas

  • If only one pet has fleas in the house, or only one pet goes outside, you only need to treat and use preventatives on that pet
    • This is FALSE! If you have a dog that goes outside and have cats inside, it’s a good idea to have ALL pets on flea preventative medication
  • “I’ve never had a flea problem before, so I shouldn’t worry about fleas”
    • Fleas are present in most places in our world, and they are almost always present in the outside environment, all it takes is one of these fleas jumping on your pet and you could be dealing with an infestation

The best way to treat fleas is to treat every pet in the house and the household environment.

How to Find Fleas

  • Get a flea comb; you can purchase a flea comb at your local pet store and brush through your pet’s coat looking for fleas or flea dirt
  • Look for Flea Dirt; flea dirt is basically flea feces, it appears as black flecks, but once you place it on a damp paper towel it bleeds a red-orange colour (digested blood)

How to Treat Fleas

Do not waste your money on false, ineffective products. First consult with a veterinarian and purchase products accordingly.

  • Use an effective product which has studies to backup its effectiveness and is “licensed” to kill fleas
  • Understand hot to correctly apply or administer the product, this includes dosage intervals and routes of administration
  • Apply to ALL pets in the home
  • Treat the environment, at McQueen Animal Hospital we offer Siphotrol Premise Spray which is an environmental spray which kills fleas

Your pet needs protection from fleas and other internal and external parasites, and only you can provide them with that protection. Prevention is always the best medicine and ensures that your pet never deals with the discomfort of flea allergy dermatitis. Stay vigilant of your pet during flea season, and always consult your veterinarian if you suspect your pet has flea allergies or you would like to purchase some preventative medication.

McQueen Animal Hospital is proud to provide you with finest quality services in animal care in the Brampton region; we are located at 8975 McLaughlin Road, L6Y 0Z6 and are happy to answer any of your questions via phone at 905-455-7387.

Author: Jessica Wilkans, RVT at McQueen Animal Hospital

 

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What Is Feline Leukemia Virus?

Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) is the second leading cause of death in cats, the viral disease unfortunately kills 85% of persistently infected felines within three years of diagnosis. The virus often causes anemia and lymphoma and since the disease suppresses the immune system, it also predisposes cats to deadly infections.

There is some good news however, about 70% of cats who encounter the virus are able to resist infection or eliminate the virus on their own.

Transmission

Feline leukemia only infects cats, FeLV is passed from one cat to another through saliva, blood, urine and feces. The virus thankfully only lives for a few hours outside the hosts body. Kittens can contract the disease in utero or by nursing an infected Queen’s milk. The disease is often spread by seemingly healthy cats, so even if a cat appears healthy, it may be infected and transmitting the virus.

Feline Risk Factors

Kittens and young adult cats are more likely to contract FeLV if they come into contact with the virus as compared to older cats, it is thought that resistance increases with age. For strictly indoor cats, the risk of contracting FeLV is low. Felines living in multi-cat households or in shelters and pet stores are more at risk, especially if they share common spaces and litterboxes and bowls.

Symptoms

  • FeLV positive cats may exhibit one or more of the following symptoms:
  • Pale gums or jaundice
  • Enlarged lymph nodes
  • Bladder/skin/respiratory infections
  •  Weight loss and loss of appetite
  • Poor coat
  • Weakness and lethargy
  • Fever
  • Diarrhea
  • Breathing problems
  • Reproductive problems
  • Stomatitis (inflammation of the mouth)

Diagnosis

An ELISA blood test can identify if the FeLV proteins are present in your cats’ blood, this test can be performed at McQueen Animal Hospital at your request. The test is highly sensitive and identifies infections early. However, remember that some cats will clear the infection in a few months and will then test negative.

The IFA blood test detects the progressive infection phase, if a cat tests positive in the IFA blood test they will likely not clear the virus. This test can be performed at a laboratory and if a cat tests positive, they often have a poor long-term prognosis.

Treatment for Feline Leukemia Virus

As previously stated, a majority of cat’s die within 3 years after diagnosis. There is no cure, so treatment is supportive and aims to protect them from a secondary infection.

Protecting Your Cat From Feline Leukemia Virus

Keeping your cat indoors and away from infected cats will prevent your cat from contracting FeLV. At McQueen Animal Hospital, the FeLV vaccine is optional and costs $30 to receive.

New cats or kittens over eight weeks of age should ideally be tested before entering multi-cat households. If a cat is FeLV positive, ideally it should be housed alone as to not risk infection of any other felines. Additionally, the stress of adding another feline to the household could induce an infection in the FeLV positive cat.

McQueen Animal Hospital is proud to provide you with finest quality services in animal care in the Brampton region; we are located at 8975 McLaughlin Road, L6Y 0Z6 and are happy to answer any of your questions via phone at 905-455-7387.

Author: Jessica Wilkans, RVT at McQueen Animal Hospital

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