CatFoodAllergy
1. Condition Diagnosis [pets_name] has been diagnosed with Cutaneous adverse food reactions 2. Understanding skin disease The path to a diagnosis When cats itch there are a long list of reasons why that can happen. The most common causes are parasites (fleas and mites), skin infections, and allergies. Pets can be allergic to either flea bites, certain foods, environmental allergens, or a combination of all three. Since the skin only has so many different ways it can react, most of the time these diseases can look similar and only after a process of elimination can we get to an ultimate diagnosis of what is truly causing your pet to itch. This is why we are so excited you are here. The Dutch Relief Plan is designed to not only provide immediate relief where needed, we will also begin the journey to get to the root cause of your pet’s problem with the goal of providing lasting relief. The journey begins with treating any underlying skin infection, if present, and controlling the incessant urge to itch. We then determine if the cause of itch is due to an underlying allergy by process of elimination. We must rule out a flea allergy, followed by a food allergy, and if the itch is not resolving we are left with the diagnosis of an environmental allergy. This process can take several months to complete and it is important that during this time we keep your pet happy and itch free while we do the work needed to create lasting change. For more information to better understand allergies and your pet, read below. Please do not hesitate to contact us at any time. Cutaneous adverse food reactions (food allergy) Food allergy is one type of adverse immunologic reaction to a substance in the diet (the “allergen”). In most cases, an animal protein, such as chicken, lamb, beef, or fish, is the culprit, though any carbohydrate, fat, or dietary supplement may be an allergen. It is important to realize it is not a specific brand of food that will trigger an allergy and it is not the quality of the ingredients. If a pet is allergic to chicken for example, the pet will develop allergy symptoms no matter if the chicken is in a canned food, a kibble, a raw diet or cooked at home. Food allergy can occur at any age, in any breed or gender, and often will occur even if the pet has been fed the same food for months to years. Most pets with food allergies are itchy and will lick, chew, scratch, and rub at their head, ears, armpits, groin, paws and rump. Cats tend to have lesions most commonly on their face. They can develop areas of swollen skin and severe ulcers on the skin or lips. Affected cats can also develop secondary skin infections. Many of these pets will also have intestinal problems such as large or excessive numbers of bowel movements, soft stool, mucus in the stool, and flatulence. Some cases may even develop vomiting and diarrhea. Unfortunately, there is no laboratory test that can accurately diagnose food allergies. An elimination diet trial is necessary to uncover these issues. The goal of a food trial is to eliminate exposure to any protein or carbohydrate that your pet may have been previously exposed to which could potentially be triggering the increased itching or scratching. All other foods or treats will need to be eliminated during this food trial. Food trials need to ideally be done for 8-12 weeks to be able to definitively eliminate allergies as a cause for the itching. During the diet trial, skin infections (if present), other sources of itch (including flea bites), and discomfort will be addressed with other appropriate therapies. 3.Medical Treatment Plan [order.medication]
