Allergies in Dogs & Cats, Abnormal Skin, Dust Mites & Grain Mites Complicate Matters

We’re discussing allergies and atopy in dogs & cats. We’ve covered TCM herbal formulas that help allergic pets, and later we’ll cover additional ways to help with Omega 3 fatty acids, shampoos, conventional meds. Now, though, let’s look at how complex this issue is by discussing

·       allergies that occur as materials travel right through our pet’s skin

·       allergies that occur because dust or grain mites are ingested along with foods.

Abnormal Skin in Dogs & Cats with Allergies

Dogs and cats with allergies often have several problems contributing to their symptoms. We used to think the redness and itching, runny eyes, and itchy ears were due to white blood cell (WBC) release of IgE. IgE binds mast cells circulating in the blood and tissues and sensitizes them to  foreign antigens. Upon meeting the antigen again, the mast cell releases histamine, leukotriene and this causes inflammation, itching and redness.

Well, it’s not that simple. There are allergic humans (and we think pets are similar) with T-helper cells that cause skin barrier malfunction. This allows antigens to penetrate right through the skin (percutaneous absorption). With this potential for exposure, pets can be allergic instantly to antigens in the environment.

The following are suspected of worsening pets’ allergies:

·          Environmental exposures

·          Infections (especially Staph)

·          Vaccinations

Well, at least one of these is entirely preventable.

 

Dust Mites, Grain Mites, and Allergies

As though it isn’t enough to have antigens able to penetrate through the skin, there is also a problem when pets are exposed to foods and dust mites at the same time. North Carolina College of Vet Medicine has a study that showed dogs may become spontaneously allergic when dust mites are eaten along with foods. Unfortunately dust mites are ubiquitous. They live everywhere and thrive in moist environments such as carpets, pet beds, mattresses, basements. And the food storage mites (Tyrophagus putrescentiae and Lepidoglyphus destructor) found in kibble, dry food, cereal grains and cheese affect pets allergic to the dust mite. The house dust mite is Dermatophagoides farina and D pteronyssinus.

To protect your pet from grain mites, don’t feed kibble. This may be why so many allergic pets thrive on raw diets. Avoid any packaged foods or cereal grains and cheese.

To protect your pet from house dust mites, avoid carpets, fabrics and upholstery. Use microporous mattress covers. Air fabrics outside for 12 hours in either hot sun or cold, dry air. Wash bedding in hot soapy water or cold water with tea tree oil. Vacuum like it’s your new religion.  Don’t rely on air ionizers or chemical dust miticides as they’re ineffective. Use Benzyl benzoate (Acarosan spray), but use it at 4 x the manufacturer’s amount and leave it on the carpet for 12 hours to help decrease the number of dust mites.