Atopy

What is Atopy?
This is a type of skin disease generally caused by allergens in the environment that is often under diagnosed in cats because of the species’ ability to respond well to steroids. Atopy is often described as being a pruritic – or itchy – skin disease. Due to being sensitive to allergens in the environment, affected cats will develop allergic reactions that primarily cause significant itchiness, excessive grooming and skin lesions.

How does my cat get Atopy?
Evidence suggests that this is probably an inherited condition that is impacted by a variety of environmental factors. Among the environmental factors are the levels of a cat’s exposure to airborne allergens such as pollens from plants. It is less frequently seen in cats living in dry climates with high elevations where there tend to be lower pollen counts tend to be at less risk for developing atopy.

How do I know if my cat has Atopy?
Clinical signs of atopy vary among cats. Some display the same symptoms exhibited in dogs with atopy: face rubbing, licking and chewing between the toes, ear scratching, head shaking, itching of the groin and armpit areas. In other cases, cats groom excessively, develop acne under the chin or display symmetrical alopecia (bald patches) on the hocks and trunk areas. Some suffer from  persistent ear and skin infections. The signs can appear seasonally or the itchiness can progress to become year-round. To properly identify atopy, a veterinarian must take a medical history, perform a thorough physical examination, and conduct tests of the skin to look for fleas, mites or other possible causes. Confirmation of atopy may require specific allergy testing, (blood test or intra-dermal skin test (IDST) in order to rule out other possible causes, such as flea or food allergies or scabies or pyoderma.

What can I do about Atopy?
Atopy is rarely curable, but fortunately, about 90 percent of the cases can be effectively  controlled medically. Some cats only require dietary changes or being given a fatty acid supplement to control atopy. Others may need anti-histamines and corticosteroids to tone control the symptoms. Antibiotics or anti-fungal medications may be needed to attack secondary infections. Desensitization, using injections of low levels of the allergens to stimulate the immune system, is effective in some cases. Bathing with medicated shampoos and conditioners may also help. Of course, avoiding the identified allergens is also helpful as is ensuring that your cat is properly protected against flea bites.

Is there anything I can do to prevent my cat from getting Atopy?
With the likely hereditary nature of atopy, there is little that can be done to prevent it. However, once identified, avoiding the inciting causes is imperative to ensure your cat enjoys a more comfortable, less itchy life.

Are there certain breeds that get Atopy more often?
Among feline purebreds, the Devon Rex tops the list of inheriting atopy. Among random-bred cats, those with orange in their coloring, such as calicos or orange tabbies, may also be more prone to this condition. Atopy tends to surface more in young to middle-aged cats than in senior cats.