Food Allergies Vs. Food Intolerance in family pets

AddThis Sharing ButtonsShare to FacebookFacebookFacebookShare to TwitterTwitterTwitterShare to PinterestPinterestPinterestShare to MoreAddThisMore6

A common question when evaluating allergic family pets is whether a pet has a food allergy or a food intolerance. A food intolerance may be defined as when a pet cannot manage even a small amount of a particular food, meat, protein or grain source. Usually ingesting small amounts will cause severe acute reactions, including vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, boosted gas, as well as even skin eruptions/hives and itching in severe situations. a lot of of the time the symptoms will resolve on their own, once the offending food has been cleared out of the system.   In rare cases, hospitalization, including IV fluid therapy may be needed if reactions are excessive.  Upon repeated exposure, similar or a lot more severe intense reactions may occur.

Food allergies are usually developed over a a lot more chronic period of time, and normally include the development of immune-mediated reactions in the digestive tract that may present as either acute development of digestive or skin symptoms or a lot more chronic immune reactions over time.  Beef, dairy, wheat and corn are common offending allergens.  Diagnosis of food allergies is usually made by feeding a restricted novel protein diet over several weeks, during which symptoms will typically minimize or resolve.  After the dietary trial is over, the original diet or proteins are then reintroduced, and then if symptoms occur, a diagnosis of food allergy is confirmed.