sciencetech-blog

comments

You may think that it's only humans that suffer itching and sneezing as a result of allergies.

But pets do too – and we can be the cause.

Experts say that like humans, dogs and cats can react to proteins in dander, the cells that shed from skin and hair.

Experts claim that like humans, dogs and cats can react to proteins in dander, which is made of cells shed from skin, hair and fur. It makes some dogs itch (stock image pictured) and sneeze among other symptoms

Dander is microscopic, and can be transported through the air where it's able to enter the mucus membranes in the lungs, causing allergies to some people and animals.

Raelynn Farnsworth, of Washington State University's College of Veterinary Medicine, told National Geographic: 'It's rare, but dogs can be allergic to cat dander and people dander and vice versa. For everything.' 

Dogs that are allergic to human dander typically itch and their skin becomes inflamed. They may also sneeze and have a runny nose, she said.

Dander is microscopic, and can be transported through the air where it's able to enter the mucus membranes in the lungs, causing allergies for some people and animals. It's coloured red in this microscopic image

Cats often develop scabs and lose hair around their head and neck as an allergic reaction, but symptoms can show in other ways.

A decade ago, researchers at the University of Edinburgh's Hospital for Small Animals discovered that humans can trigger asthma attacks in cats, National Geographic reported.

Cats often develop scabs and lose hair around their head and neck as an allergic reaction to humans

They found that human dandruff and dander as well as cigarette smoke and dust, can inflame cats' airways and trigger asthma.

Asthma is not unusual in cats, with one in 200 felines thought to suffer from the condition, shown by coughing and wheezing, and more felines are thought to be susceptible because they are spending more time indoors.

Just as with humans, the time of year the symptoms occur can hint at what pets may be allergic to, with other allergies including flea saliva and certain foods.

For example, symptoms that persist for the whole year may indicate a food allergy or a reaction to a constant problem in the environment, while periodic bouts of symptoms may indicate a seasonal allergy. 

Inhalant allergies are the most common seen in pets and typically show in the skin.

It's more common for younger pets to react to pollen and mould spores, for example and lead to dogs scratching and losing hair, with irritated skin around their face and abdomen in particular.

It's also common for dogs to be allergic to fleas, which when they bite the canine, inject saliva into the skin so they can drink the blood. Some pets are sensitive to this saliva, causing severe itching.

It's estimated that one in 10 people are allergic to pets ( a stock image is shown) but far less is known about how many pets react to their owners. It's thought that one in 200 cats have asthma, for example

Likewise, food allergies can cause itching. 

Dogs have been found to be allergic to certain meats as well as rice and wheat. Just like humans, eliminating food from the diet is needed to diagnose the allergy.

It's rare for pets to suffer contact allergies which are caused by chemicals such as flea products and disinfectants, for example.

The reaction can take weeks to years to develop, and is often found in the feet, neck and chin where the skin can go red and become infected.

Christine Cain, of the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, told Liz Langley: 'We routinely test dogs for reactions to cat dander.'

Like with human tests, a small amount of the allergen is placed under the skin so experts can monitor the animal's reaction.

Dr Farnsworth said that vets first look for relatively common allergens such as human dander, dust mites, feathers, sheep wool and pollen and that rarer conditions are harder to spot.

Dr Cain said: 'It always makes owners kind of sad if their [the pet's] reaction is to human dander' but she explained that humans don't have to part company with their animal, because it's likely that the dog or cat reacts to other allergens too and simply need medicines, like humans.

HOUND WHO'S ALLERGIC TO HUMANS SUFFERED HAIR LOSS

Last October, a black Labrador called Adam, who showed up to Lucky Dog Retreat Rescue in Indianapolis was found to be allergic to humans.

He was bald in patches with sore inflamed skin and baths failed to soothe the condition, causing experts to conduct a blood test with surprising results.

Last October, a black Labrador called Adam (pictured), who showed up to Lucky Dog Retreat Rescue in Indianapolis was found to be allergic to humans

'Humans. I didn't believe her at first,' Robin Herman, who rescued Adam, said of the veterinarian's verdict. 'I thought she was kidding.'

Adam was found to be allergic to human dander and his intolerance was inflaming his skin and causing him to scratch and bite at his balding body.

To combat the problem, Herman found a vet who concocted a serum using proteins of the allergen to tech the dog's immune system to tolerate people.

'They just put a serum together, just like with kids' allergies and other dogs' allergies, and he starts on allergy shots this week,' Herman told KGO.