What kinds of holiday plants are toxic to my pet?
Aloe , Apple (Includes crabapples) , Apricot , Australian Pine (Norfolk Pine, House Pine, Norfolk Island Pine) , Azalea (Rosebay, Rhododendron) , Baby’s Breath (Maidens Breath) , Caladium (Malanga, Elephant’s Ears), Carnation , Chamomile , Cherry , Christmas Rose, Chrysanthemum (Daisy, Mum), Elephant Ears (Caladium, Malanga) , English Ivy (Branching Ivy), English Yew (Western Yew), Fig, Fire Lily, Garlic, Holly (English Holly, European Holly, Oregon Holly, Inkberry, Winterberry, American Holly), Lemon , Lime , Macadamia Nut (Australia Nut, Queensland Nut), Mistletoe “American”, Onion , Orange, Peach, Plum , Rhubarb (Pie Plant), Grapes (including raisins), Tobacco , Yew Pine (buddhist pine), Amaryllis, Cyclamen (Sowbread), Kalanchoe (Mother-In-Law-Plant), Narcissus (Daffodil), Pigtail Plant (Flamingo Plant), Poinsettia

What signs do I need to look out for if my pet ingests any of these plants?
If your pet ingests any of these toxic plants, it is in your pet’s best medical interest to contact your veterinarian immediately. Signs to watch out for include, but are not limited to: vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, stumbling (ataxia) and unusual behavior. Some of the above plants listed can cause irreversible damage to your pet’s organ function, if left untreated. If there is any doubt, contact a veterinarian as soon as possible after ingestion.

Is antifreeze toxic to my pet?

As winter approaches, many people will “winterize” their automobiles, including a change of antifreeze. Take care to keep both new and used antifreeze in a sealed container, out of reach of pets. Clean up any spills of antifreeze on driveways and other hard surfaces. Dogs and cats find antifreeze quite tasty and if they find antifreeze they’ll drink it. Antifreeze is extremely toxic causing kidney failure that is often fatal in just a few days.

Very small amounts of antifreeze can be fatal. If a cat walks through a puddle of antifreeze and then licks its paws, it can ingest enough antifreeze to cause death.  About five tablespoons can kill a medium sized dog. If you see your pet drinking antifreeze, or are at all suspicious that your pet may have had access to antifreeze, contact a veterinarian immediately.

Signs of antifreeze poisoning depend upon the time after ingestion. In the first few hours after ingestion the pet may be depressed and staggering and may have seizures. They may drink lots of water, urinate large amounts and vomit. The pet may appear to feel better but in a day or two get much worse as the kidneys fail. Signs of kidney failure include depression and vomiting. The amount of urine they pass will often decrease to a very small amount.

The diagnosis of antifreeze poisoning is made by blood and urine tests although some of these tests become negative by the time kidney failure develops. Antifreeze poisoning should be considered in any free-roaming dog or cat with consistent signs. The treatment for antifreeze poisoning needs to be started as soon after ingestion as possible, to be effective. The earlier treatment is started, the greater the chance of survival.  Once kidney failure develops, most animals will die.

How can I prevent antifreeze poisoning?

• keep new and used antifreeze in a sealed, leak proof container
• take used antifreeze to a service station for disposal – don’t pour it on the ground
• check driveways for puddles of antifreeze that may have leaked from the car
• consider the use of alternative antifreeze products that are less toxic to pets
• if antifreeze is placed in toilets make sure the lid is down and the door to the room is closed

Can my animal catch cancer from another animal or transmit it?

For the vast majority of cases the answer to both questions is “No!”

Animals can be infected with viruses or other microorganisms some of which cause cancer. Some are infected from their mother before or at birth but infection can also be acquired by contact with other animals. Some can be transmitted through bites of ‘vectors’ such as fleas or ticks. Feline leukemia virus, for example, can cause cancers of the blood and lymphoid system in cats. The virus is occasionally transmitted from an infected queen to her kittens before birth but is more commonly acquired from close contact with infected cats that shed the virus in saliva, urine and feces. If your cat is infected, it can pass the infection to other cats.

How does cancer affect my pet?

The most obvious effect of most cancers is an enlarging lump, but most lumps are not malignant. This lump may ulcerate, bleed or have physical effects (pressure, displacement, etc.) on the surrounding tissues. Benign cancers only enlarge locally by smooth expansion but malignant cancers may invade regionally with tentacles (i.e. “cancer the crab”).  In fact, we use these differences in growth habit to help decide if the cancer is benign or malignant spreading widely through the body. Widespread distribution of a cancer occurs when cancer cells break away from the original tumor and seed in body cavities (such as the pleural cavity of the chest or peritoneal cavity of the abdomen) and when cancer cells invade the blood. The cells may then be carried to distant tissues where the cells lodge and start new tumor masses (metastases).

Weight loss due to loss of body fat and muscle is common in malignant cancer and unexplained weight loss can be an important sign.  A few tumors induce clinical signs that are not readily explained by local or distant spread of the tumors. These are known as paraneoplastic syndromes. Some syndromes are due to abnormal hormone production by the cancer. (Hormones are internal secretions that pass into the blood and stimulate other organs to action.) Examples of paraneoplastic signs and symptoms include loss of hair, increase or decrease in blood glucose, and increased blood calcium levels.

How is cancer diagnosed?

Cancer is often suspected from clinical signs (a lump, loss of appetite and energy, loss of weight for example). X-rays may be useful in detecting internal tumors, including metastases. Blood tests can help indicate some tumors. In order to identify most tumor types, it is necessary to obtain a sample of the tumor itself.   Surgical invasion may be needed such as needle aspiration, punch biopsy, full excision or exploratory surgery. The simplest approach in many cases is the aspiration (suction removal) of tumor cells with a syringe and needle.  It does not require general anesthesia or surgery. Microscopic examination of the cells obtained is called cytology.

A more reliable test however, requires surgical removal of a tissue sample under anesthesia. The preparation and microscopic examination of stained sections from the removed tissue is called histopathology. This is done at a specialized laboratory where the slides are examined by a veterinary pathologist.

The histopathology report typically includes words that indicate whether a tumor is ‘benign’ (non-spreading, local growth) or ‘malignant’ (capable of spreading to other body sites). Malignancy is often shown by tumor names ending in “carcinoma” or “sarcoma”. These, together with the origin or type of tumor, the grade (degree of resemblance to normal cells) and stage (how far it has spread) indicate how the cancer is likely to behave.

The veterinary pathologist usually adds a prognosis (what will probably happen). This may include a prediction about the probability of local recurrence or metastasis (distant spread).

Can cancer disappear without treatment?

Cancer rarely disappears without treatment but as development is a multi-step process, it may stop at any stage. The body’s immune system can kill cancer cells using mechanisms that specifically target tumor cells that are recognized as “foreign”. These mechanisms include immune system cells such as cytotoxic lymphocytes and macrophages and antibody production. Not all tumors are recognized as foreign and even when they are, the immune system is rarely 100% effective in eliminating the cancer. Rarely, loss of blood supply to a cancer, by pressure on its own supply for example, will result in tumor cell death but the dead tissue will probably need surgical removal.

What is cancer?

Cancer is a disorder of cell growth (uncontrolled cell division) that results in an abnormal mass of tissue (tumor) without a purpose. The growth exceeds that of normal tissue, is un-coordinated and persists after the cause has gone. There are many different types of cancers.

A few definitions

“Cancer” is the Latin word for ‘crab’ and the name describes the way the cancer adheres to adjacent tissues. Cancer is also known as “malignant neoplasia”. Malignant means “life threatening”, and neoplasia is Greek for “new growth”. The new growth is called a “neoplasm”. Not all neoplasms are malignant cancers.  In fact, most are not life-threatening and are referred to as “benign”. The word “tumor” is Latin for a swelling. Tumors include swellings that are due to non-neoplastic causes. “Oncology” is the study of neoplasia.

Note that in strict medical terminology ‘cancer’ is used for malignant neoplasia but that in general usage it is often used as a broader term encompassing benign and malignant tumors.

What causes cancer?

Cancer is essentially the result of non-lethal genetic damage to cells (mutations in the DNA genome). Causes of such mutations include radiation, chemicals, hormones and infections. Some damage to cellular DNA is a daily “wear and tear” event but all mammals have many safeguards to prevent or repair such damage.  Nonetheless, such protective mechanisms are not flawless. In some individuals there are even defects in such defences, resulting in a higher than expected prevalence of cancer.  Some of those defects in protection can be inherited and in purebred dogs this can result in inherited predispositions to cancer development.  In other instances it is excessive injury. The mutated DNA upsets the normal regulation of cell growth allowing uncontrolled and careless growth of the “altered” cells that no longer obey the rules governing coordinated cell activity.

Complete Blood Count -
This simple blood test analyzes the cellular components in the bloodstream. These include red blood cells, which carry oxygen to the tissues, white blood cells, which fight infection and respond to inflammation, and platelets, which help the blood to clot. The CBC provides details about the number, size, and shape of the various cells types, and identifies the presence of any abnormal cells.

Biochemistry Profile -
This is a series of tests performed on serum, which is a component of blood. These tests provide information about how well the various organs of the body are working, and help to detect the presence of some metabolic diseases. There are tests to assess the liver, kidneys, and pancreas, tests to identify the presence of diabetes, and so on. If minor abnormalities are found on the biochemistry profile, the veterinarian may simply request that you repeat the tests at a later time; depending on the abnormality, this may be in a few days, a few weeks, or a few months. In some cases, a more extensive diagnostic workup may be recommended, including an expanded biochemistry profile, or special tests and/or imaging (x-rays, ultrasound).

Urinalysis -
A Urinalysis involves an analysis of the chemical components in urine, as well as a microscopic examination of the cells and solid material present in urine. A Urinalysis provides information about how well the kidneys are working, identifies the presence of inflammation or infection, and may detect the presence of underlying metabolic disease such as diabetes. A Urinalysis is necessary for a complete assessment of the urinary system. It should be performed routinely as part of wellness testing, and is particularly important in the geriatric dog because of the increased rate of kidney disease in the older pet.

Thyroid testing -
The thyroid gland is like a “thermostat”, and it “sets” the metabolic rate of the whole body. The most common thyroid disease in the dog is called hypothyroidism, which occurs when the thyroid does not produce adequate amounts of thyroid hormone. The function of the thyroid gland should be tested if your dog exhibits unexplained weight gain, lack of energy, recurring skin or ear infections, hair loss on the body and tail, or has high cholesterol levels in the blood.

Summary
Wellness testing is a simple and effective way of monitoring your older dog’s health. Early detection and correction of medical problems help to ensure that your pet will be healthy and active for as long as possible.

What is wellness testing?
Wellness testing is the term given to a group of tests that are performed specifically to detect signs of early disease in a pet that is apparently healthy.

Why do wellness testing?
Pets cannot tell you how they are feeling, and as a result disease may be present before you are aware of it. If a disease or condition can be detected before a pet shows signs of illness, we can often take steps to manage or correct the problem before irreparable damage is done. Wellness testing is particularly important in the geriatric pet, since there is a greater chance that underlying disease may be present.

When is wellness testing done?
Wellness testing is usually done once yearly, and many pet owners combine wellness testing with their annual visit to the veterinarian for their dog’s physical examination, vaccination, or heartworm testing. Your veterinarian may recommend more frequent testing depending on your dog’s age or specific health concerns. Monitoring your pet’s health status on a regular basis makes it easier for the veterinarian to detect minor changes that signal the onset of disease.

What is involved in wellness testing?
There are four main categories of wellness testing for the dog: complete blood count (CBC), biochemistry profile, urinalysis, and thyroid hormone testing. Within each category, the veterinarian will determine how extensive the testing should be. In younger dogs without noticeable health complaints, relatively simple testing may be adequate. However, in the geriatric dog, more comprehensive testing is recommended.

Stay tuned to our next post to learn more about the different types of wellness testing.

What is tartar and can it be prevented?

The mouth of all mammals is home to thousands of bacteria. Many of these bacteria will breed on the surfaces of the tooth and form an invisible layer called plaque or biofilm. Some of this is removed naturally by the pet’s tongue and chewing habits but if allowed to remain on the tooth surface, the plaque thickens, becomes mineralized and is then visible as tartar and ultimately calculus. The tartar presses on the gums, which recede, causing inflammation and infection called gingivitis. The gums continue to recede until ultimately the tooth socket is infected and the tooth is lost.

As the oral infection increases, tonsillitis and pharyngitis can also occur. In addition, the bacteria are absorbed into the blood stream and can be carried to other organs. Heart valve infections (endocardiosis or endocarditis), kidney and liver problems are frequently caused by “bad teeth”.

Can tartar be prevented?

Plaque becomes mineralized in some pets much quicker than in others. Special chew toys as well as feeding specifically-formulated dental diets may help reduce tartar build up, as does regular home care such as tooth brushing. Today there are many products designed to reduce tartar in our pets.  We recommend the use of Hills Prescription Diet T/D to be given as treats (3-4 daily).  We consider them “edible toothbrushes.”  These kibble treats are instrumental in keeping plaque and dental tartar from re-accumulating after dental cleaning.

Will feeding dry food remove tartar?

Once tartar has formed it will be necessary to remove it by professional scaling and polishing under anesthesia. Pet food manufacturers have recently developed new dental diets that can help reduce the formation of plaque and tartar in your pet.  We recommend T/D by Hills Science Diet for severe cases.

What is involved with a dental cleaning for my pet?

The goal of dental scaling and polishing is to remove the tartar and invisible plaque.  Sometimes antibiotic treatment is instituted before a full dental prophylaxis is carried out.

Tooth scaling will be performed using both hand scalers and ultrasonic cleaning equipment to remove tartar both above and below the gum line. The tartar beneath the gum line causes the most significant gum recession. The teeth are then polished in order to help prevent subsequent plaque build-up. It may be necessary to carry out other procedures such as extractions at the same time. Special applications such as fluoride, antibiotic preparations and cleaning compounds may be indicated to decrease tooth sensitivity, strengthen enamel and reduce plaque accumulation and bacterial infection.

How can I prevent tartar accumulation after the procedure?

Plaque and tartar begin forming in as little as six hours after your pet’s dental cleaning. A home dental care program is a must for all pets. T/D diet or Oravet are two products we recommend to keep the re-accumulation of tartar and plaque from forming.

Can I use human toothpaste?

Human dentifrice or toothpaste should not be used in pets. These are foaming products and are not meant to be swallowed. Additionally, many types of human toothpaste contain sodium, which may cause problems in some pets.

I was unaware that pets have dental problems. Is it common?

Dental disease is the most common disease in pets. Over 68% of all pets over the age of three have some form of periodontal or dental disease. Most pets will show few signs of dental disease. It is up to the pet’s family and veterinarian to uncover this hidden and often painful condition.

Are dental problems the same in pets and people?

No. In man the most common problem is tooth decay which, due to the loss of calcium from the enamel, results in painful, infected cavities. In the pet tooth decay represents less than 10% of all dental problems. The most common dental problems seen in pets are caused by periodontal disease.

What is periodontal disease?

Periodontal disease is a term used to describe inflammation or infection of the tissues surrounding the tooth. Accumulation of tartar and calculus on the teeth contributes to gum recession around the base of the tooth. Infection soon follows and the gums recede, exposing sensitive unprotected tooth surfaces. Untreated infection then spreads into the tooth socket and ultimately the tooth loosens and is lost.

Is periodontal disease very common?

It is estimated that over 68% of pets over three years old suffer from some degree of periodontitis, making it by far the most common canine disease.

Treatment depends largely on the length of the dog’s allergy season. It involves three approaches:

Anti-inflammatory. Treatment with anti-inflammatory drugs such as corticosteroids, or antihistamines, will quickly block the allergic reaction in most cases. Fatty acid supplementation of the diet can improve the response to steroids and antihistamines in some cases. Newer drugs such as oral cyclosporine may hold promise for severely atopic dogs.

Shampoo therapy. Frequent bathing with a hypoallergenic shampoo can be soothing and helpful. The bathing may also rinse out allergens in the coat that could be absorbed through the skin. Some therapeutic shampoos contain anti-inflammatory ingredients that may further benefit your pet.

Hyposensitization therapy. The third major form of allergy treatment is hyposensitization with specific antigen injections or “allergy shots”. Once the specific sources of allergy are identified by allergy testing, very small amounts of the antigen are injected weekly. This repeated dosing has the objective of reprogramming or desensitizing the immune system. Results are sometimes good but success is variable. Approximately fifty-percent of treated dogs will see significant improvement in their clinical signs while approximately twenty-five percent more will see a decrease in the amount or frequency or corticosteroid usage.

What is Food Allergy and how is it treated?
Food allergy can develop to almost any protein or carbohydrate component of food. It most commonly develops in response to the protein of the food of a particular food origin; beef, pork, chicken, or turkey are commonly associated with food allergies. Food allergy can develop at almost any age. Food allergy may produce any of the clinical signs previously discussed including itching, digestive disorders, and respiratory distress. Food allergy may occur with other allergies, such as atopy. Food allergy does not respond well to corticosteroids or other medical treatments. Treatment requires identifying the offending component(s) of the diet and eliminating them. Testing for specific food allergies involves IgE allergy testing and/or a hypoallergenic diet trial. Because it takes at least eight weeks for all other food products to be removed from the body, the dog must eat the special diet exclusively for eight to twelve weeks. If a positive response and improvement of your pet’s clinical signs occurs, your veterinarian will advise you on how to proceed. It must be emphasized that if the diet is not fed exclusively, it will not be a valid test. All table food, treats or vitamins must be discontinued during the testing period. There may be problems with certain types of chewable tablets such as heartworm preventative. Your veterinarian will discuss this with you.

Caution:
The manifestations of allergies can be confused with other disorders, or occur concurrently with them. Therefore, do not attempt to diagnose your dog without professional assistance. Be prepared for your pet to receive a full diagnostic evaluation by your veterinarian. If an allergy is diagnosed and identified, the whole family must follow your veterinarian’s advice very closely if success in controlling the problem is to be achieved.

What is an allergy?
An allergy is a state of over-reactivity or hypersensitivity of the immune system to a particular substance called an allergen. Most allergens are proteins. The allergen protein may be of insect, plant or animal origin. Initial exposure of the dog, or more likely multiple exposures, to the allergen may over-sensitize the immune system, such that a subsequent exposure to the same or related allergen causes an over-reaction. This means that the immune response, which normally protects the dog against infection and disease, can actually be harmful to the body.

The immune reactions involved in allergies are quite complex. Most reactions involve an antibody in the blood called Immunoglobulin E (IgE). In an allergic reaction the allergen protein molecules combine with IgE antibody molecules and attach to a type of cell called mast cells, found in many tissues throughout the body. When these cells are attached to the allergen, they break up and release potent chemicals such as histamines that cause local inflammation (redness, swelling and itching). This inflammation causes the various signs associated with an allergic reaction.

What are the symptoms of allergies in dogs?
The most common symptom associated with allergies is itching of the skin, either localized (in one area) or generalized (all over the body). Another group of symptoms involves the respiratory system with coughing, sneezing, and/or wheezing. Sometimes, there may be runny discharge from eyes or nose. The third manifestation involves the digestive system resulting in vomiting and diarrhea.
How common are allergies in dogs?

Unfortunately, allergies are quite common in dogs of all breeds and backgrounds. Most allergies appear after the pet is six months of age with the majority of affected dogs over age two.

Are allergies inherited?
Some allergies are inherited. The inherited trait is known as Atopy (see What is Inhalant Allergy or Atopy below).
What are the common allergy-causing substances (allergens)?

A very large number of substances can act as allergens. Most are proteins of insect, plant or animal origin, but small chemical molecules known as haptens can also cause allergy. Examples of common allergens are pollens, mold spores, dust mites, shed skin cells (similar to “pet allergies” in humans), insect proteins such as flea saliva, and some medications.

What are the different types of allergy?
There are several ways of classifying allergies. Some examples of classifications include:

• Precipitating allergen – Flea Allergy
  Route the allergen takes into the body – Inhalant Allergy, Skin Contact Allergy or Food Allergy
  Time it takes for the immune reaction – Immediate-type Hypersensitivity, also called Anaphylaxis or Shock and Delayed-type Hypersensitivity

• Type of immune reaction – Types I through IV Hypersensitivity

• Clinical Signs – Allergic Dermatitis or Allergic Bronchitis

• Inherited forms – Atopy or Seasonal Allergies

What is Contact Allergy?
Contact allergy is the least common type of allergy in dogs. It results from direct contact to allergens contained in flea collars, chemicals in the lawn or the grasses themselves and bedding, such as pyrethrins or wool. If the dog is allergic to these substances, there will be skin irritation and itching at the points of contact, usually the feet and stomach. Removal of the allergen (once it can be identified) often solves the problem.
What is Flea or Insect Bite Allergy and how is it treated?

Flea allergy is the exaggerated inflammatory response to a flea bite or other biting insect. Flea saliva is the most common allergen. It is a common allergy of dogs, although only a minority of dogs becomes allergic. Most dogs experience minor irritation from flea bites. The flea or insect bite allergic dog will react to a single bite with severe local itching. It will bite and scratch itself and may remove large amounts of hair, especially in the tail-base region. Secondary bacterial infection may occur in the broken skin. The area most commonly involved is over the rump in the tail-base region and the hind limbs.

Because one flea can be a problem for the allergic dog, strict flea control is essential. This is difficult considering the life-cycle of fleas, but with modern medications and home treatment options, you should be able to provide a flea-bite free environment for your dog (see Fleas for additional information). Your veterinarian can give you tips on protecting your dog from fleas. When strict flea control is not possible or in cases of severe itching, anti-histamines or corticosteroids (steroids) can be used, under careful veterinary guidance, to block the allergic reaction and give relief. If secondary bacterial infection is present, appropriate antibiotics will be prescribed.

What is Inhalant Allergy (Atopy) and how is it treated?
Although allergic rhinitis and bronchitis might be regarded as the result of inhaled allergens, the term “Inhalant Allergy” in the dog is used as a synonym for Atopy. The main causative inhaled allergens are tree pollens (cedar, ash, oak, etc.), grass pollens, weed pollens (ragweed, goldenrods, etc.), molds, mildew, and house dust mites. Many of these allergies occur seasonally, such as ragweed, cedar, and grass pollens. However, others such as molds, mildew, and house dust mites are year-round. When humans inhale these allergens, the allergy manifests mainly with respiratory signs – runny eyes, runny nose, and sneezing (“hay fever”). But in dogs the result is itchy skin (pruritis). Due to these clinical signs, the condition is also called “Inhalant Allergic Dermatitis”. The dog may rub its face, lick its feet and scratch the axillae (underarms).

Most dogs that have inhalant allergy start showing signs between one and three years of age. Affected dogs will often react to several allergens. If the offending allergens can be identified by intradermal skin tests or IgE allergy tests, the dog should be protected from exposure to them as much as possible. But this is difficult and recurrent bouts are likely. These allergies can be treated but a permanent cure is not usually possible.

Treatment depends largely on the length of the cat’s allergy season. It involves one of two approaches.

The first approach involves the use of steroids and shampoos. Steroids will dramatically block the allergic reaction in most cases. These may be given orally or by injection, depending on the circumstances. As stated previously, the side-effects of steroids are much less common in cats than in people. If steroids are appropriate for your cat, you will be instructed in their proper use. Some cats are helped considerably by a hypoallergenic shampoo. It has been demonstrated that some allergens may be absorbed through the skin. Frequent bathing will reduce the amount of antigen exposure through this route. In addition to removing surface antigen, bathing alone will provide some temporary relief from itching and may allow the use of a lower dose of steroids.

The second approach to inhalant allergy treatment is desensitization with specific antigen injections or “allergy shots”. This is not to be confused with injections of corticosteroids. Once the specific sources of allergy are identified, very small amounts of the antigen are injected weekly. This is in an attempt to reprogram or retrain the body’s immune system. It is hoped that as time passes, the immune system will become less reactive to the problem-causing allergens. If desensitization appears to help the cat, injections will continue for several years. For most cats, a realistic goal is for the itching to be significantly reduced in severity. In some cats, itching may completely resolve. Steroids are not used with this treatment protocol, except on an intermittent basis. On average, approximately half of the cat’s receiving desensitization therapy will experience a significant decrease in their clinical signs. This therapeutic approach is usually recommended for the middle-aged or older cat that has year round itching caused by inhalant allergy. This approach is not used with food allergy.

Although desensitization is the ideal way to treat inhalant allergy, it does have some drawbacks and may not be the best choice in certain circumstances.

Cost: This is the most expensive form of treatment.
Age of Patient: Because many cats develop additional allergies as they get older, young cats may need to be retested one to three years later.
Success Rate: About 50% of cats will have an excellent response. About 25% get partial to good response. About 25% get little or no response. The same statistics are true for people undergoing desensitization.
Time of Response: The time until apparent response may be two to five months, or longer.
Interference of steroids: Cats must not receive oral steroids for two weeks or injectable steroids for six to twelve weeks prior to testing. These drugs will interfere with the test results.

Food Allergy
Cats are not likely to be born with food allergies. More commonly, they develop allergies to food products they have eaten for a long time. Food allergies are now estimated to be the second leading cause of allergic dermatitis in cats. The allergy most frequently develops in response to the protein component of the food; for example, beef, pork, chicken, or turkey. Food allergy may produce any of the clinical signs previously discussed, including itching, digestive disorders, and respiratory distress. Food allergy testing is recommended when the clinical signs have been present for several months, when the cat has a poor response to steroids, or when a very young cat itches without other apparent causes of allergy. Testing is done with a special hypoallergenic diet. Because it takes at least eight weeks for all other food products to get out of the system, the cat must eat the special diet exclusively for a minimum of eight to twelve weeks. If a positive response occurs, you will be instructed on how to proceed. If the diet is not fed exclusively, it will not be a meaningful test. We cannot overemphasize this. NO table food, treats or vitamins can be given during the testing period.

Because cats that are being tested for inhalant allergy generally itch year round, a food allergy dietary test can be performed while the inhalant test and antigen preparation are occurring.