BREA, Calif. (March 31, 2006) – Just as humans experience an increase in allergies in the Spring when pollutants and allergens are at their peak, animals are also experiencing springtime allergy symptoms, according to claims data from Veterinary Pet Insurance (VPI), the nation’s oldest and largest health insurance provider for pets.

While conditions like Otitis Externa (ear infection) and Atopic Dermatitis (a skin rash due to inhaled allergens) are relatively common in dogs, an analysis of VPI’s claims data for 2005 revealed that cats suffer from fewer allergy conditions.

For 2005, the most common pet allergies for dogs and cats are provided in the table below. The top allergy-related claim for canines in 2005 was for Otitis Externa, which accounted for 14.2 percent of all claims submitted last year. Furthermore, Atopic Dermatitis accounted for 14.1 percent of claims. Additionally, allergies afflicting dogs can cause secondary Pyoderma (inflamed, infected skin), which resulted in 5.2 percent of all claims.

The statistics show that cats share some of the same allergies that humans have to battle, such as bronchitis and asthma.

Canines

1. Otitis Externa 14.2%

2. Atopic Dermatitis 14.1%

3. Pyoderma 5.2%

Felines

1. Atopic Dermatitis 4.8%

2. Otitis Externa 4.7%

3. Bronchitis/Asthma 2.4%

Dr. Carol McConnell, manager of veterinary education and services for VPI, explains that there are three main categories of allergies for pets: flea allergies, inhaled allergens such as pollens, and food allergies. She offers the following tips to pet owners for recognizing — and possibly preventing — allergies in their pets:

• Fleas: When a flea bites, it injects a small amount of saliva into the pet’s body. Many pets react to this saliva with itchy, irritable skin, typically on the rear part of the pet’s body, above the base of its tail. “To avoid flea allergy dermatitis, it is best to administer flea control year-round,” McConnell says, advising pet owners to speak to their veterinarian regarding the use of regular flea control medication once per month.

• Pollens: Inhaled allergies from pollens are typically seasonal and can be caused by grass, trees or blooming bushes, McConnell says. A sign of pollen allergies includes itchy skin and hair loss, usually toward the front of the pet’s body on the neck, head, ears or underside of the front paws. If a pet experiences pollen allergies, McConnell advises the pet owner to speak to his or her veterinarian.

• Food: Food allergies can exhibit the same pattern of itchy skin and hair loss on the front of the pet’s body. The difference is that these allergies are not seasonal, but can be managed by putting a pet on a special diet recommended by the pet’s veterinarian. McConnell says that because many pet foods are byproducts of human food, pet food allergens are typically substances like chicken, beef, wheat and corn. If a veterinarian diagnoses a food allergy in a pet and suggests feeding the pet a unique diet with specific nutrient sources — like rabbit, venison and rice — it is very important to adhere to the new diet and not allow exceptions.

VPI’s claims data shows that allergies are relatively common in dogs and cats, but with proper care and regular veterinarian visits, these allergic conditions can be managed.