Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Food allergy in dogs and cats: a review.
- Journal:
- Critical reviews in food science and nutrition
- Year:
- 2006
- Authors:
- Verlinden, A et al.
- Affiliation:
- Department of Animal Nutrition
Plain-English summary
Food allergies in dogs and cats happen when their immune system reacts badly to certain foods, which is different from food intolerance that doesn't involve the immune system. These allergies can develop when the protective barrier in the gut is weakened, and they can affect pets of any breed, age, or sex, although some breeds are more commonly affected. Symptoms usually appear after the pet has been eating the problematic food for at least two years, but some younger pets can also be affected. The main signs include intense itching and sometimes gastrointestinal issues, and these allergies don't follow a seasonal pattern. To diagnose a food allergy, veterinarians often use a special diet to eliminate certain foods and then gradually reintroduce them to find out which one is causing the problem; the best treatment is to avoid the food that triggers the allergy.
Abstract
Food allergy (FA) is defined as "all immune-mediated reactions following food intake," in contrast with food intolerance (FI), which is non-immune-mediated. Impairment of the mucosal barrier and loss of oral tolerance are risk factors for the development of FA. Type I, III, and IV hypersensitivity reactions are the most likely immunologic mechanisms. Food allergens are (glyco-)proteins with a molecular weight from 10-70 kDa and are resistant to treatment with heat, acid, and proteases. The exact prevalence of FA in dogs and cats remains unknown. There is no breed, sex or age predilection, although some breeds are commonly affected. Before the onset of clinical signs, the animals have been fed the offending food components for at least two years, although some animals are less than a year old. FA is a non-seasonal disease with skin and/or gastrointestinal disorders. Pruritus is the main complaint and is mostly corticoid-resistant. In 20-30% of the cases, dogs and cats have concurrent allergic diseases (atopy/flea-allergic dermatitis). A reliable diagnosis can only be made with dietary elimination-challenge trials. Provocation testing is necessary for the identification of the causative food component(s). Therapy of FA consists of avoiding the offending food component(s).
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16527756/