FOOD ALLERGY

Food Allergy

by Alvin Febrianth, DRH

 Dogs and cats are almost identical to human; they can also be affected by allergies due to the feed. Unlike humans when suffering from allergies is shown by the appearance of skin problems. In dogs and cats did show some symptoms of skin irritation, but other symptoms commonly seen are the presence of diarrhea or vomiting. The emergence of symptoms of allergic to feed mainly on the skin is usually not observed properly. We often miss the symptoms that appear on the skin as a result of an allergic response to food.

A symptom that usually appears is itching of the skin, followed by redness of the skin. As a result of excessive itching dog or cat will be more frequent scratching or licking a particular area. As a result of excessive scratching causes the skin to become red and even become injured. Secondary infections such as bacteria can easily enter the skin are injured. The skin will have thickening so that there are formed like a scab. Allergy to feed also usually is causing otitis externa.

But the clinical symptoms of the above does not mean always appears if there is an allergic response to food. Almost all skin disorders showed clinical symptoms as mentioned. Even some of the allergic response in the feed showed no skin irritation, but rather leads to disorders of the digestive tract, such as diarrhea or vomiting. The vet will check whether the skin disorder resulting from an allergic response to food or may be caused due to mites, fungi, bacteria or other disease. If it turns out after further investigation did not reveal any other factors that cause skin disorders, there is the possibility of skin problems that arise as a result of an allergic response to food.

Dogs and cats can indicate an allergic response to all the feed materials contained in the product feed. Most of the feed components that can cause allergies are beef, dairy products, wheat and fish. There is the possibility of a dog or cat is allergic to one type of feed components or maybe even more than one type. There is another possibility of allergy is not the usual feed your dog or cat instead of eating like snack or human food may be given by the owner. Or even a dog or cat does not accidentally eat or lick something. Or it may come from the environment such as dust, pollen or fungi.

If it is a skin disorder that occurs as a result of an allergic response to food, it is to uphold the diagnosis is usually made food trial. Many ways you can do for this method of food trial, among others, by replacing direct feed or feed gradually replace. It is most often done by replacing the old direct feed with the new feed. The new feed become the main feed for 1-2 weeks, even the longest can be up to 8 weeks is not mixed with other feed or snack. If there were changes after we replace with new feed, there is a possibility the dog or cat is experiencing an allergic response to food.

We must also consider whether the changes due to the replacement of feed or possibly from medication that given. To avoid confusion whether the changes due to medication or food, usually food trial do not accompanied by the medicines. Or another way to find out is to give more feed before. If it turns out after a given feed that long appeared allergic response again as before, most likely the dog or cat is allergic to feed.

Once we know that dogs or cats we match against one of the feed products, we must not stop here. We must compare the composition of the new feed products with the old. We must look at what the different composition of the two products. We'll get one or maybe a few differences from the material composition of each product. Possible dogs or cats are allergic to the feed material. We must do a food trial is gradual and continuing until we are sure that the feed material that is likely to cause allergies in dogs or cats us.

If we've done food trial but did not work out at all, consult your veterinarian. Your veterinarian will recommend a special feed for this case; special feed is termed a veterinary diet. Now feed manufacturers already spend a lot of veterinary diet for a variety of cases, including allergies. If we will switch to using the product, it is advisable to consult with a veterinarian first. The vet will give formulation of feed for dogs or cats us.

Veterinary diet especially for allergy problems, formulated to reduce the allergic response that appears, either the symptoms appear on the skin and in the gastrointestinal tract. Nutrients in the feed is expected to repair damaged skin and reduces allergic to feed, nourish and protect the skin and prevent skin becomes dry, controlling inflammation and restore the condition of the skin and can improve the health of the immune system and protect against free radical damage.

In a special feed usually contain novel proteins (single protein) derived from salmon were able to overcome allergies and easy to digest, so it does not cause allergic reactions in both the digestive and skin. Then it contains highly digestible carbohydrates to prevent the onset of diarrhea. Additionally enriched with omega 3 and 6 were very nice to nourish the hair and skin. High content of biotin, niacin and high panthotenat acid, combined with zn-linoleic acid complex, can reduce water loss through the skin and strengthen the skin's defense.

Immediately take your dog or cat to the vet if you experience skin problems when allegations lead to allergies feed. Consult your veterinarian if you want to replace the new one feed. Ask your veterinarian instructions on the correct formulation of feed changes. Consult feed what is good According to the need for a dog or our cat. Because each stage of growth requires a different nutrient content. So Also with us when the dog or cat is sick, the veterinarian will recommend a suitable feed for the disease. Currently, many feed products are sold, many still believe that a product that is expensive must be good, or matched with a dog or our cat. Therefore, do not wrong in choosing the feed product for our pet dogs and cats.