Environmental Allergy

Start a tailored care program that helps your pet combat environmental allergies. At home - maximum comfort for your fur baby, minimum hassle.

Get Help Today

Schedule a same-day visit with Dr. Terry White

Talk to a vet

Common Questions For Dogs

EverPal client with a cat in a virtual vet visit

Common Questions For Cats

Learn more about

environmental allergy

in dogs and cats

What is environmental allergy?

Understanding Environmental Allergy in Dogs and Cats

Environmental allergy, also known as atopic dermatitis, is a chronic inflammatory skin condition caused by environmental allergens such as pollen, dust mites, and mold. It often results in itching, redness, and skin infections.

Can atopic dermatitis lead to other health issues?

Yes, if left untreated, it can lead to secondary skin infections (bacterial or fungal), chronic ear infections, and significant discomfort and stress for the pet.

When should I see a vet?

If your dog or cat shows signs of excessive itching, redness, hair loss, or recurring ear infections, it’s important to consult a veterinarian for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan.

Can allergies be cured?

Regrettably, allergies are generally a lifelong issue with no permanent cure. Our goal is to manage allergies effectively to enhance the quality of life for both you and your pet. We will develop an optimal management plan tailored to fit the needs of everyone involved in your pet's care.

Diagnosis

The term "allergy test" can be misleading. The allergy testing isn't to confirm if your pet has allergies, but to identify the specific allergens involved. We can conduct blood testing for allergies, also known as RAST testing, to understand the sources of allergen. This test involves sending a blood sample of your pet to a specialized laboratory, where the levels of proteins in response to the allergens are assessed.

Common Symptoms

Early Onset of Itchiness
Itchiness from atopy typically starts between ages 1 and 3 in dogs and cats. In contrast, food allergies may start earlier, before 6 months, or later around 5 or 6 years.

Indoor Lifestyle
Airborne allergens are often concentrated indoors, but these allergens are widespread in the air both indoors and outdoors, making them hard to completely avoid.

Responds Well to Steroids
Dogs and cats with atopic dermatitis quickly improve with steroid treatments like prednisone. Food allergies, however, may not respond as consistently to these medications.

Feet and Ear Flaps Affected
Frequent licking or chewing of the feet. Inner ear flaps often become greasy, red, and thickened.

Areas Not Typically Affected
Ear edges and lower back are usually not involved. Ear edges affected suggest mange; lower back issues typically indicate flea allergies.

Seasonality
The seasonality of itchiness can hint at an airborne allergy, but this isn't a definitive sign due to varying climates. Skin and blood tests help in managing atopic dermatitis but are not diagnostic by themselves, as many normal animals also test positive.

Treatment Options

There are various options for treating environmental allergies. It's crucial to work with a dedicated vet to develop a specific treatment plan for your pet.

Home remedy
Bathing helps eliminate allergens from the skin. Following bathing, applying a hypoallergenic cream rinse or spray can help rehydrate the skin.

Medications
Anti-allergy medications exist, including antihistamines, corticosteroids (like cortisone), cyclosporine, as well as newer options such as oclacitinib (Apoquel) and lokivetmab (Cytopoint). It's important to note that some dogs or cats may experience side effects, particularly from steroids. Due to variations in individual responses, different allergy medications might need to be tested, as not all medications are effective for every pet.

Hyposensitization Therapy
Also known as allergy shots or immunotherapy, this is the gold standard for treating atopic dermatitis. This treatment directly modifies the immune system's response to allergens. This therapy involves introducing small amounts of the allergen to the pet's system in gradually increasing doses. The goal? To train the pet’s immune system to be less reactive to these allergens over time.

How EverPal works

One-to-One Dedicated Care

Book an online vet appointment

Pick a time and get expert care from top veterinarians from home. Our veterinarian will review your pet's medical history in advance.

In-home diagnostic testing

If testing is needed, our veterinary nurse team will stop by your home to collect a sample. Currently serving San Francisco, South San Francisco, Daly City, Oakland, and Berkeley.

Follow-up care

Follow-up virtual visit with your dedicated veterinarian to discuss testing results, multiple treatment options and recommended treatment plan

Get medications shipped to you

We'll ship medications to you. Alternatively, pick them up from your local pharmacy.

Pricing that lets you focus on caring for your fur baby

$69

MONTHLY

Book Now

Environmental Allergy Care Program

All virtual consultations

Prescription management

Follow-up care

Unlimited support from care team

Detailed medical records

Diagnostic tests and medications are not included in the membership. We believe in providing expert guidance without unnecessary costs. You only pay for what your furry family member truly needs. Rest assured, we’ll always give you an estimate before rendering services.