Courtesy: Dr. Michelle

I have two cats, Flynn (I will write about his adventure in another blog!) and Earl. Earl was found at a neighboring vet clinic where my fiancé works (also as a vet) during Hurricane Earl in 2010. After an extensive search for his owners with no success, we decided to adopt him.

Earl has severe allergies to both his environment and food that make him very itchy. This is a chronic, on-going, life-long condition that can be very challenging to manage. He is on a special diet, Royal Canin’s Hypoallergenic HP (Hydrolyzed Protein) which greatly helps to increase his overall comfort level. We don’t know exactly which ingredient in his food he is allergic to- most cats are allergic to either the meat or carbohydrate component (chicken, beef, rice, and potato are common instigators). This specific diet breaks the protein down into very small molecules that an animal’s immune system does not recognize, and therefore does not stimulate an allergic response. No allergic response=no itchiness=happy kitty! Therefore, this is the only food that Earl is allowed. If I feel the need to give him a treat (usually while applying his monthly Revolution), he gets a piece of his daily allotted kibble. If he sneaks a piece of dropped food from the floor, he becomes obviously itchy the next day (don’t even ask about the day when Flynn and Earl shared a box of graham crackers that were accidentally left on the counter!).

Since Earl is also allergic to his environment (likely pollen and dust mites), he receives a shot of a long-acting steroid every 6 or so weeks, depending on the season. While steroids can have detrimental consequences when used on a long-term basis, sometimes they are needed to improve the quality of life of an individual animal.  I have recently started Earl on a drug called cyclosporine, which acts on his immune system in a different way than steroids do, therefore decreasing the risk of side effects. This drug is far more expensive than steroids, but if I am able to wean him off of the steroids and can make him comfortable on only the cyclosporine, then it is worth it! It is also makes fur grow at an exceptionally fast rate, and considering that Earl is completely bald on his belly from over-grooming himself while itchy, this will be an added benefit!

If you believe that your pet may be suffering from allergies, please give Truro Vet a call at 893-2341.  We can’t wait to help!