Selected aspects of allergy in dogs and cats (prevalence, hematological and biochemical profiles, treatment)

Abstract

Allergy in dogs and cats is a problem for animals, their owners and veterinarians. Recently, due to changes in ecology conditions, a variety of feeds, food additives, drugs etc., its prevalence has been increasing. The aim of our research was to study the prevalence of allergy in dogs and cats, hematological and biochemical indices of the blood of animals and their treatment for skin manifestations using a natural ecologically clean solution of Poltava bischofite. It is used for the first time in this work for skin manifestations of allergy in dogs and cats. The studies were performed in the Veterinary Clinic «Zooprofi» (Korosten) and the Scientific and Advisory Center «Poltava Bischofite» of Poltava State Agrarian University. During the work, clinical, hematological, biochemical, dermatological and statistical research methods were used. From the animals sick with skin manifestations of allergy control and experimental groups were formed. The treatment of the control group animals included standard therapeutic pattern. The standard pattern of the experimental group has additionally included solution of Poltava bischofite. It was used diluted with distilled water one to one, once a day, applied to the affected area of the skin. During the observation period including allergic diseases of animals accounted for 16% of all visit to the clinic. Of these, about 61.7 % were in dogs and 38.3 % in cats. The most common clinical manifestations of allergies were: itching, frequent licking, paw bites, erythema and skin rashes, otitis, allergic conjunctivitis. In dogs, the following were most often diagnosed atopic dermatitis (40.5 %), food allergy (32.4 %), allergy to ectoparasites bites (18.9 %), rare forms of allergy including detergents, drugs, etc. (8.2 %) In cats, the most common were allergy to ectoparasites bites (43.5 %), food allergy (30.4 %), atopic dermatitis (17.4 %), rare forms of allergy (8.7 %). In the blood of sick animals with skin manifestations of allergy, an increase in the level of eosinophils, band neutrophils, total leukocytes count, ESR, total protein, ALT and AST was observed. When treating animals with skin manifestations of allergies using a solution of Poltava bischofite, the effectiveness was 23 % higher than the control. The results of the scientific study have practical value for veterinary doctors who ensure animal welfare.