Atopy is Latin for “strange,” but there is nothing strange about atopy. Atopy, or the genetic tendency to have an immune reaction to something that is inhaled or touched, causes allergy symptoms. Food allergies are not atopy, but some pets will have atopy (allergies to what they inhale & contact) and also be allergic to foods. It is estimated 5-15% of dogs are atopic. Cats have atopy and allergies too, but we aren’t as clear how many or which breeds are affected as we’re clear about dogs.
Dog Breeds Commonly Affected with Atopy and Allergies
· Akitas
· Beagles
· Bichons
· Boxers
· Bulldogs
· Chihuahuas
· Dalmatians
· French Bulldogs
· German Shepherds
· Herding breeds: Border Collies, Australian Shepherds, etc
· Maltese
· Newfoundlands
· Poodles
· Puggles
· Retrievers: Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers
· Rottweilers
· Schnauzers
· Setters
· Shar peis
· Shiba Inus
· Shih Tzus
· Terriers: Scotties, Westies, Yorkies, all of them at risk
Signs and Symptoms of Atopy & Allergies in Dogs
· Itchy feet, itchy face, itchy bottom
· Runny eyes
· Secondary skin infection: yeast (Malassezia) & bacterial (Staph)
· Symptoms obvious before middle age, usually obvious between 9 months and 3 years of age.
· Young, say 3-month-old, puppies that have skin infections
· Licking, especially feet and groin
· Red, itchy ears with recurrent ear infections
One reason our allergic dogs & cats are so itchy is that the oils on the skin and the skin pH are abnormal.
Helping Dogs & Cats with Atopy & Allergies
We have several ways to help pets with atopy & allergies, including
· TCM herbal formulas
· Omega 3 Fatty Acids
· Antihistamines
· Shampoos
· Immune-modifying Medications
· Homeopathy
Using Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) to help Pets with Atopy & Allergies
TCM herbal formulas are ideal for dogs & cats with allergies. For example, the following help especially when itching is a strong component of your pet’s symptoms:
· Bao Hu Jiang Jun Tang (Protect the General) for dry, itchy skin in a shy or anxious pet that also has liver disease, and possible liver enzyme elevation (ALP, ALT, AST). These pets may have tongues that are pale, or purple, or red; pulses that are thin, or wiry or choppy.
· Bu Gan Tang (Nourish the Liver Decoction) for itchy, seborrhic skin in a pet that may also have any of the following: muscle spasm, Scotty cramp, wobblers, dry eye (KCS), liver inflammation and elevated liver enzymes, lymphoma, petit mal seizures, and behaviour problems (noise sensitivity, timidity, separation anxiety, thunder phobia, or fear aggression).
· Dang Gui Shao Yao San (Angelica Nourish the Blood Decoction) for pets with powdery dander & itchy skin. They may also have bladder crystals, elevated triglycerides (hyperlipidemia), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), constipation, and be over weight. These pets may also be irritable, depressed or timid. Their tongues are often pale and lavender colored.
· Jia Wei Si Wu Tant (Augmented Four Materials) for pets with dry, itchy skin, or hives who may also have weak hind legs, anemia, constipation, blurred vision and a tendency to dizziness (vertigo). Their tongues are often pale and coated; pulses, thin & slippery.
· Long Dan Xie Gan Tang (Quell Fire) is for the pet with severe itching and possibly bacterial or yeast (Malassezia) skin infection or mange (Demodex). These pets may also have tendency to ear infections, bladder infections (cystitis), incontinence, anal sac inflammation, Cushing’s disease, and obesity. They may have ravenous appetites and tend to eat things they shouldn’t. The tongues of dogs that benefit from Quell Fire often have red sides and a yellow coat; their pulses may be rapid, forceful, and wiry.
· Qing Ying Tang (Clear the Nutritive Level Decoction) is for pets with intensely itchy skin and possibly bacterial or yeast (Malassezia) skin infection or mange (Demodex). These pets may also have tendency to autoimmune disease (IMHA), masticatory myositis, pneumonia, meningitis. They may develop vaccine reactions and be very ill after routine vaccination.
· San Ren Tang (Three Seeds Decoction)is especially helpful for itchy cats. San Ren Tang is for pets with itchy skin that is usually oily. They may have a streak of slightly oily hair right down the center of the back, often with dander. Itchy cats that benefit from San Ren Tang may also have feline hyperesthesia syndrome or feline asthma. They may have anal sac inflammation, constipation and malodorous flatulence. Some have chronic vomiting. The ears are often greasy and there may be eye discharge. They may urinate outside the litter box due to agitation. Tongues are wet, pale or red; pulse, soft.
· Si Miao San (Four Marvels) is a marvellous formula for the itchy dog or cat that is also hot. It helps dogs with itchy, infected feet (pododermatitis), itchy bottom (anal sacculitis), itchy ears (otitis externa due to yeast). These dogs may also have immune problems (IMHA), arthritis, back pain or stiffness, degenerative myelopathy, proprioceptive disorder or numbness. Some may have epilepsy or vestibular syndrome, pancreatitis, prostatic hypertrophy or vaginitis, Cushing’s disease, cystitis, bladder cancer (TCC or transitional cell carcinoma), or blood cancer (lymphoma). Tongues are pale or red; pulse, soft.
· Si Wu Xiao Feng Yin (Four Materials Eliminate the Wind or Dry Derma Relief) is for itchy dogs with hot skin. They may have mange (Demodex) hot stops (pyodermatitis), rashes, seborrhea or bacteria infection (pyoderma). Some may have ear infections (otitis), dry eye (KCS), and behavorial problems including anxiety, noise sensitivity, timidity, separation anxiety and territoriality.
The beauty of using TCM herbal formula for allergic dogs or cats is that we can treat the skin along with other significant problems by choosing the correct formula.
More about allergies in the next few days.
