General Information

• Any animal with fur, hair or feathers can cause allergies  

• Animal allergy is caused by a protein found in saliva, dander (dead skin), hair/fur or urine of an animal

• Short-haired pets produce as much allergen as long haired

• Animals that do not shed also produce allergens

• There are no “hypoallergenic” animals, all animals produce proteins that can cause allergies 

• Allergies to animals can develop at any time

Animal Allergy Symptoms

• Allergy symptoms may happen shortly after contact with the animal or hours later 

• People with animal allergies can have nose, eye and/or breathing symptoms

• Nasal symptoms include runny nose, congestion, sneezing, itching and post nasal drip (sensation that mucus is draining down the back of the throat)

• Eye symptoms include itchy, red, watery eyes

• Throat and ear symptoms include sore throat, hoarse voice, congestion or popping for the ears and itching of the throat or ears

• Asthma symptoms such as cough, wheeze (whistling noise), shortness of breath and chest tightness can become worse when around animals and you may need more medications

Avoidance and Environmental Control

• Ideally anyone with animal allergy will not have an animal in the home

• After removing an animal from the home it may take months before the allergen is gone

• If you cannot remove the animal from the home, try and limit direct exposure with the animal 

• Never allow the animal into the bedroom

• Someone else should wash the animal at least once weekly may reduce the allergens

Treatment Options

• Discuss medication options with your doctor

• Saline rinse and sprays clean the inside of the nose

• Antihistamines such as cetirizine (Reactine), loratadine (Claritin), desloratadine (Aerius) and fexofenadine (Allergra) can be used alone or with a nasal spray

• Nasal steroid sprays such as mometasone furoate (Nasonex), ciclesonide (Omnaris) and fluticasone furoate (Avamys) decrease inflammation in the nose if used on a regular basis

• Nasal and oral decongestants are NOT recommended unless directed by your doctor

• Eye drops such as for olopatadine hydrochloride (Pataday) can be used as needed

• Montelukast (Singular) daily tablets

• Allergy shots/immunotherapy may be an option for certain patients. Discuss with your doctor to see if you are a candidate 

ALLERGIES

• Animal Allergy

• Cow’s Milk Protein Allergy

• Egg Allergy

• Fish Allergy

• House Dust Mite Allergy

• Mold Allergy

• Peanut Allergy

• Pollen Allergy

• Sesame Allergy

• Shellfish Allergy

• Soy Allergy

• Tree Nut Allergy

• Venom Allergy

• Wheat Allergy

PROCEDURES

• Environmental Allergy Assessment

• Food Allergy Assessment

• Immunotherapy

• Medication Allergy Assessment

• Oral Food Challenge

• Skin Prick Testing

• Vaccine Allergy Assessment

• Venom Allergy Assessment

CONDITIONS

• Asthma

• Eczema / Atropic Dermatitis

• Pollen Food Syndrome

• Chronic Hives