Inhalant Allergy, Canine and Feline - contd.

ClinicalSigns
Pruritus is the most common symptom. Secondary skin lesions due to the resulting self-trauma will have a pattern of distribution within interdigital spaces and on the muzzle or face, carpal and tarsal areas, axilla, groin, periocular, and pinnae. Symptoms are initially seasonal and usually worsen with age. Recurrent pyoderma and otitis externa are commonly noted. Skin lesions can include erythema, alopecia, scales and crusts, fur stained with saliva, hyperpigmentation, and lichenification. These symptoms usually respond well to corticosteroids. Cats may vary widely in their symptoms, which can include eosinophilic granuloma complex, miliary dermatitis, symmetrical alopecia, facial pruritus, and behavior changes. Any animal with pruritus should be evaluated for the possibility of atopy.

Symptoms
Common symptoms include an often intense itching, which results in the animal's constant scratching and biting of the irritated skin. Secondary skin abnormalities will result from the trauma caused by scratching the itch. These include redness, hair loss, crusts and scaling, ear problems, fur that is stained brown from saliva, and skin infections. Cats may vary widely in their symptoms, which can include facial itchiness, hair loss in equal patterns, raised and open sores, and bumps with bloody scabs.