INTRODUCTION

The term adverse food reaction describes an abnormal clinical response to an ingested food or food additive, and encompasses both immunological and non-immunological reactions. The clinical signs are variable and can involve both cutaneous and gastrointestinal systems. Whilst the concept of an adverse food reaction may be relatively easy to understand, the diagnosis in any individual animal can be challenging, because the clinician depends on the pet owner to comply with measures that need to be taken in order to achieve a definitive diagnosis, and because of the different pathomechanisms that may be involved.

Dogs and cats with adverse food reactions are usually presented with a history of non-seasonal pruritus that, anecdotally, may be poorly responsive to glucocorticoids and to ciclosporin. A history of intermittent pruritus could occur if the allergen is only fed now and again, i.e. if associated with a certain treat. There is no specific distribution, or lesion type, associated with adverse food reactions; however, there is a history of a recurrent otitis in many canine cases and, in cats, a head and neck distribution of pruritus has been reported. Some animals will have signs of gastrointestinal abnormalities of varying degrees, ranging from diarrhoea, vomiting, tenesmus and colitis, to just an increased frequency of defecation. In rare cases respiratory signs and epileptic seizures have also been reported.

CASE HISTORY

As in all skin consultations a detailed history is essential, and in any case involving pruritus where a dietary trial may be required, full details on all dietary components are particularly important. A history of vomiting, diarrhoea or more than four bowel movements daily would increase the index of suspicion for an adverse food reaction. In this case the relevant findings were:

CLINICAL EXAMINATION

The clinical signs of adverse food reactions are variable and range from non-lesional pruritus to severe self-induced excoriations and ulceration. The lesion distribution may be localized, such as an acral lick dermatitis in large breeds of dogs, or generalized. The most common primary signs are erythema and papular reactions. Secondary lesions include excoriations, crusts, lichenification, hyperpigmentation and scaling. Secondary recurrent bacterial pyoderma and Malassezia dermatitis is common. Recurrent otitis externa and/or media are reported in up to 80% of dogs with an adverse food reaction.

The clinical examination in this case revealed both ear disease and more generalized skin involvement.

Ear disease:

Figure 11.1 Hyperpigmentation and crusting on the concave aspects of the pinna.

Skin lesions:

Figure 11.2 Papules and epidermal collarettes on the ventral abdomen.

Figure 11.3 Hyperpigmentation, lichenification and alopecia on the ventrum.

CASE WORK-UP

As with any pruritic skin disease, it was necessary to rule out parasitic infestations and secondary microbial diseases before investigation of other causes.

In this case, the following tests were performed at the first visit:

Ectoparasitic disease was ruled out on the basis of the negative tests and ectoparasitic therapy. The clinical signs and the initial laboratory findings confirmed the involvement of a secondary superficial staphylococcal pyoderma and otitis externa. Empirical treatment for pyoderma and otitis was started immediately (clindamycin 10 mg/kg b.i.d.; daily acetic acid/boric acid ear cleaning and twice daily applications of a fucidic acid-containing product). The case was reassessed after 4 weeks, at which time the pyoderma and otitis had resolved (Figs 11.4 and 11.5), but pruritus persisted. In addition, the concave aspects of the pinnae and ventral inguinal skin were still mildly erythematous, supporting a probable allergic component. The next stage was to start a diet trial to investigate the involvement of an adverse food reaction.

Figure 11.4 Ventral abdomen post-treatment.

Figure 11.5 Concave aspect of the pinna post-treatment.

Diet trials

The response to a restricted diet trial is currently the only effective diagnostic test for an adverse food reaction. The purpose of the trial is to establish whether the change of food results in a decrease in pruritus. Thus, a baseline level of pruritus needs to be established before starting the diet trial. This necessitates prior, thorough, treatment of all concurrent pruritic diseases such as ectoparasites and microbial infections.

Choice of diet: There are two choices of food, either novel protein and carbohydrate (i.e. ingredients to which the animal has not previously been exposed) or a hydrolysed protein. The selection of ingredients for a novel protein diet is based on the previous dietary history. Unfortunately, more often than not the exact ingredients within a commercial diet are unknown. In the UK, chicken, beef and wheat are common ingredients in dog foods, while fish, chicken and wheat are common ingredients in cat foods. Treats and table scraps given to the pet should also be taken into account. Hydrolysed diets usually contain chicken or soy protein that has been enzymatically degraded to break large protein molecules into smaller peptide molecules, rendering them, in theory, non-immunogenic. Although undoubtedly convenient, there is still a lack of data in veterinary dermatology as to whether dogs allergic to the parent protein will not react to the hydrolysed molecule. Novel protein and carbohydrate diets may be either home-cooked or proprietary preparations. All other foodstuffs including treats, chews, flavoured toys and toothpastes should be avoided. The choice of which diet to feed is based on an assessment of the previous dietary history and a discussion of the implications of the various options with the owner. In general, it is good practice to feed a type of diet which maximizes owner compliance. Although home-cooked diets are considered to be the ‘gold standard’, ultimately clients often find home cooking too much of a chore. Owner compliance is the major limitation in dietary trials.

Advantages of home cooking:

• Known protein and carbohydrate content without contamination

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