Food Allergies

Question 1

how common is a cutaneous adverse food reaction

Answer 1

LEAST common cutaneous hypersensitivity reaction in small animals

often occurs alongside other allergies

Question 2

food allergy vs intolerance

Answer 2

allergy: response involves the immune system

intolerance: response does not involve the immune system

Question 3

pathogenesis of a food allergy

Answer 3

1. type I hypersensitivity - antibody mediated
2. type IV hypersensitivity - cell mediated

Question 4

signalment for food allergies

Answer 4

dogs: ~ 1 year (4 mo to 12 yr)
cats: ~4-5 years (3 mo to 11 yr)

predisposed breeds:
- GSDs, westies, boxers, pugs, ridgebacks
- himalayans, maine coons, burmese

Question 5

clinical signs of food allergies in dogs

Answer 5

pruritus
- face, paws, ears, glabrous regions
pododermatitis
otitis externa
erythema
secondary infection

Question 6

clinical signs of food allergies in cats

Answer 6

pruritus
- head and neck
overgrooming
bilaterally symmetric alopecia
eosinophilic reaction patterns
miliary dermatitis

Question 7

how to diagnose a food allergy

Answer 7

get a complete diet history and do an elimination diet trial
- evaluate ingredient lists for all diets and treats given
- ID potential protein sources that may be causing the allergy

Question 8

common food allergens

Answer 8

glycoproteins most often associated with protein sources (meat, legumes, tubers, grains, etc)

• beef, dairy, wheat, chicken, fish

Question 9

how to treat a food allergy

Answer 9

elimination diet
- novel protein source
- hydrolyzed protein
- limited ingredient

can do veterinary therapeutic diets or OTC - but vet therapy diets are more reliably free of protein sources

Question 10

how long should an elimination diet trial be maintained

Answer 10

minimum 8 weeks but continue until signs resolve

can challenge after 8 weeks with specific allergens to confirm source of food allergy