08/30/2024
✨ CASE SPOTLIGHT: WALLEN ✨
Meet Wallen, Dr. Jen’s 18-month Great Dane! He certainly brings so much joy to our lives, but this 165 lb moo-cow also comes with a hefty price tag when it comes to his diet + veterinary expenses. Thank goodness his mama is a vet!
Allergens are substances that, when inhaled or absorbed through the skin, respiratory tract and/or gastrointestinal tract, stimulate the immune system and the release of histamine, cytokines + other substances. This results in inflammation, signs of which include reddening of the skin (erythema), swelling (edema) + itch (pruritus).
While dogs of any age and/or breed can be affected, the typical age of onset for the development of allergies is generally 6 months up to 3 years with most presenting > 1 year of age. Now that Wally is in his prime allergy development szn, it’s now time to start differentiating types of allergies that may be playing a role: 1) flea allergy dermatitis (FAD) 2) food allergy 3) atopic dermatitis (environmental allergy).
Wally is on a monthly parasiticide (Simparica Trio) to prevent FAD. Check!
Since Wally’s symptoms seem to be present year round + also have a gastrointestinal component, Dr. Jen is highly suspicious of an underlying food allergy. It is typically recommended to pursue a strict elimination diet trial using a novel protein (i.e. a protein your pet has never been exposed to) or hydrolyzed protein (i.e. a protein source that is chemically broken down + unrecognizable to your pet’s tract) formulation x 6-8 weeks. It is vital to remove all treats, supplements + flavored preventatives during this diet trial, otherwise, it’s a waste!
Did you know the most common food allergens are: beef, dairy, poultry? 🐄🥚🐓
We’re left with environmental or seasonal allergies. There are many *magical* allergy medication options available to aid with pruritus (ahem, Cytopoint + Apoquel), however, it is important to remember these options do not cure the actual allergies but provide comfort to the pruritic patient. IDST (Intradermal Skin Testing) helps identify allergens + guide treatment efforts.
Since Wally has combination allergy, he’ll be paying a visit to his local derm! 😏
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