Deer Run Animal Hospital / Dermatology Handouts

Below is a collection of library materials regarding allergies in dogs and cats. You will find handouts and links to great information regarding environmental (airborne and absorbed via the skin) allergens, as well as flea and food allergies.

Hot Spots or Acute Moist Dermatitis "Hot Spots" are intensely itchy lesions that flare up within a few hours on dogs. Initially there is no lesion, but the itch and licking is so intense that within a few hours there is a red, moist, and oozing lesion that is not only itchy but also painful! They are usually allergic in origin. Click this link for more information.

MRSA in Pets and MRSP in Pets Handouts on antibiotic resistant skin infections. Thankfully these kinds of skin infections are still uncommon in pets, however their incidence may be increasing.

Fur Mowing in Cats Many owners discover that the hair on their cats bellies, or thighs, or rump is disappearing! What may be happening is "Fur Mowing"! The cats are secretly over grooming their skin with their sandpaper like tongues breaking off the fur and leaving stubble. We speculate that many of these cats are actually "itchy" and this is why the cats over groom. Itch is a hallmark sign for allergies! Other causes may be pain or discomfort such as bladder pain in lower urinary tract diseases or arthritis. In some cats this may be a behavior problem or an obsessive compulsive act.

Feline Eosinophilic Granuloma Complex The eosinophilic granuloma is an incompletely understood condition in cats. For now it is best to view it as an extreme symptom of allergic skin disease.

Food Allergies

Food Allergy Myths

Food Hypersensitivity/Allergy

Novel Antigen/New Ingredient Diets for Food Hypersensitivity

Rayne Clinical Nutrition another option for a hypoallergenic diet. Limited ingredient homecooked diets can be ideal, but difficult to properly balance and prepare. This compamny professionally prepares "Home Cooked" Therapeutic and Hypoallergenic diets.