Food Allergy

                  

     Food allergy, food intolerance, or adverse reactions to food---call it what you like; all three phrases refer to the response that your pet’s body may have to food.  All of us are aware of humans with life-threatening peanut allergies or adverse reactions to shellfish, but did you know that your pet may become ill from the very food that you feed it?

                        In pets, food allergies can cause skin problems or gastrointestinal illness.  These symptoms can occur at any age and progress over time.  Most adverse reactions to food are caused by large proteins that a pet’s immune system interprets as allergens.  Certain breeds appear more likely to develop these allergies, including Siamese cats, West Highland White Terriers, Cocker Spaniels, Irish Setters, Boxers and Bichon Frises.

                        Skin reactions seen with food allergies in pets can be frustrating to control until the offending food allergen is removed from the pet’s diet.  Food allergic pets will often have repeat ear infections, the most common skin problem diagnosed by veterinarians.

                        Other skin problems observed in food allergic pets include persistent itching, recurrent Staph bacterial infections, and hair loss.  Veterinarians will consider a food allergy diagnosis when these symptoms occur early in a pet’s life, are recurrent or non-seasonal, and are not cortisone-responsive.  (Pets also commonly experience inhalant allergies, the majority of which are very cortisone-responsive.)

                        The second class of food reactions observed in pets are gastrointestinal and include poor or inconsistent appetite, vomiting , loud intestinal sounds, flatulence, and diarrhea.  This form of food intolerance is less common, but very problematic for pet owners. 

                        If your veterinarian suspects that your pet is experiencing either class of food allergy symptoms, she may ask you to conduct a “food trial” for your pet.  This diagnostic and often therapeutic trial involves transitioning your pet to a different diet that contains “novel” protein and carbohydrate sources that your pet has never eaten before. You will be asked to feed a new diet suggested by your veterinarian for as long as eight weeks.  Your pet may show signs of improved health within four weeks of initiating the trial, but if it does not, you will be asked to continue the trial for an additional four weeks.

                        For a food trial to be carried out correctly, your veterinarian will ask you to be very exclusive with your pet’s diet during the eight week trial period.  Your pet will only be allowed to consume treats that share the same ingredients as the novel diet.  You will need to discontinue feeding table treats, prevent trash raids and ingestion of food items outdoors.  Even flavored dental treats, heartworm preventives and toothpastes will need to be discontinued during the trial.  Licking another pet’s food dish also should be prohibited.

                        If you “cheat” on your pet’s food trial and allow it to eat something other than the recommended diet and hypoallergenic treats, the allergen from the food fed inappropriately can remain in your pet’s body for up to a month after consumption.  You then will need to begin the trial all over again.  Also, be advised that it is not uncommon for your pet to have to undergo multiple, eight week food trials before the ideal food for your pet is identified.

                        Examples of “novel” proteins that your veterinarian may select for your pet’s diet include rabbit, venison, kangaroo, salmon, white fish, and duck.  The carbohydrate sources offered may include white or sweet potatoes, and peas.  Many pet food companies are aware of the increasing number of food-intolerant pets and are beginning to manufacture more of these unique diets. 

                        “Hydrolyzed” pet foods are also available and are the latest innovation in food allergy technology. This is a process whereby large protein molecules found in common pet foods (such as chicken) are broken down to a smaller size that doesn’t allow an allergic response.  This is the same technology that has been employed for years for infants who are allergic to milk protein. If several novel food trials fail for your pet, your veterinarian may then prescribe a “hydrolyzed” diet.

                        Talk to your veterinarian if you think your pet is experiencing adverse reactions to food.  Your pet’s health issues will be promptly addressed and a diet regimen will be selected to make your pet more comfortable.  Most importantly, speak to your veterinarian about possible changes to your pet’s medications before starting a food trial.

Author: Dr. Bonnie Jones
mage courtesy of dan at FreeDigitalPhotos.net