A Complete Guide to Allergies in Cavapoos

Cavapoos, the hybrid cross between Cavalier King Charles Spaniels and Poodles, make wonderful companions. However, like all breeds of dog, Cavapoos can suffer from allergies that cause itching, discomfort, and infection. As a Cavapoo owner, it’s important to understand allergy causes, symptoms, testing, treatment and prevention to provide the best care.

Common Allergies In Cavapoos

Cavapoos are prone to allergies inherited from both the parent breeds. The most common allergens that trigger reactions in Cavapoos include certain foods, environmental factors, flea bites, and yeast overgrowth.

Food allergies frequently develop in response to ingredients like beef, chicken, dairy products, eggs, corn, wheat, and soy. This results in itchy skin, ear infections, and gastrointestinal issues. Environmental allergens like pollen, mold, dust mites, and chemicals (think about what you clean your floor with!) commonly cause skin irritation and respiratory issues.

Cavapoos also tend to be very sensitive to flea bites, sometimes showing reactions after just one or two bites. Additionally, the tendency for yeast overgrowth in their skin folds and ears makes them prone to secondary skin and ear infections.

Symptoms of allergies in Cavapoos often involve itchy skin, rashes, hair loss, frequent ear infections, eye discharge, vomiting, and diarrhea. Prompt diagnosis using skin, blood, and elimination diet tests allows veterinarians to pinpoint the triggers and provide relief through medications, diet changes, and reducing exposures. With proper management, Cavapoos can live comfortably with allergies.

Common Allergy Triggers for Cavapoos

Cavapoos can suffer from allergies just like any dog. As a Cavapoo owner, it’s your job to understand the causes, testing, treatment, and prevention of allergies in order to provide the best care and quality of life for your pup.

What Triggers Allergies in Cavapoos?

Cavapoos inherit a higher tendency toward allergies from both parent breeds. The most common allergen triggers include:

• Food – Beef, chicken, grains like corn and wheat, dairy products, and eggs are frequent food allergen sources. Cavapoos often develop gastrointestinal symptoms when eating foods they are allergic to.
• Environment – Airborne allergens like dust mites, mold spores, pollens, and chemicals commonly cause inhalant and skin allergies in Cavapoos. Symptoms worsen seasonally when pollen counts are higher.
• Fleas – Cavapoos tend to be very reactive to flea bites, with itching and hair loss occurring after just one or two bites. They inherit this sensitivity from their Cavalier King Charles Spaniel lineage.
• Yeast – The long, floppy ears of Cavaliers combined with the warm, moist curly Poodle coat make Cavapoos prone to yeast overgrowth and resulting skin infections.

Luna’s Story

When my Cavapoo Luna started obsessively licking and chewing at her paws, I knew something was wrong. Her paws were red and inflamed from all the scratching. She’d even whimper sometimes when she’d go at them, which broke my heart. I suspected environmental allergies were to blame, since it seemed worse during high pollen times.

I took Luna to the vet and they did a skin test which confirmed she’s allergic to a number of environmental allergens like dust mites and certain trees and grasses. To help give her relief, they prescribed Apoquel to control the itching and inflammation. I also got special wipes to use on her paws when we come inside to remove any outdoor allergens.

At home, I try to keep everything as dust-free as possible by vacuuming frequently and washing Luna’s bedding often. On our walks, I avoid areas with overgrown grass and stay on paved paths to expose her paws to less pollen. If she starts obsessively licking during allergy season, I gently distract her with a treat or chew toy.

It makes me sad to see Luna so uncomfortable. I’d take away those itchy paws in a heartbeat if I could! But together with my vet’s treatment plan and some lifestyle adjustments at home, hopefully we can keep her allergies under control and her paws irritation-free. My priority is giving Luna the happy, comfortable life she deserves.

Watching for Allergy Symptoms in Cavapoos

Cavapoo allergy symptoms often involve the skin, coat, ears, paws, eyes, and gastrointestinal system. Be on the lookout for:

• Itchy skin and obsessive biting/licking at the paws, belly, armpits and other areas. These areas may appear inflamed or reddened.
• Hair loss or skin damage from excessive scratching and biting. Hot spots may develop.
• Rashes, hives, or skin irritations such as raised bumps, scabs, and redness.
• Chronic ear infections and head shaking due to ear inflammation and itchiness. Foul smelling discharge is common.
• Eye discharge, watery eyes, and eye irritation or redness resulting from environmental allergies.
• Frequent soft stools, vomiting, and other gastrointestinal upset when food allergies are present.
• Agitation, restlessness, and other behavioral changes due to persistent discomfort.

Left untreated, these allergy symptoms often worsen over time and can impact quality of life. Prompt diagnosis and treatment is key.

Diagnostic Testing for Cavapoo Allergies

To pinpoint specific allergy triggers in Cavapoos, veterinarians use various diagnostic tests:

• Intradermal skin testing introduces potential allergens like pollens and molds in diluted form under the skin to analyze reaction.
• Blood tests check for elevated antibodies to common environmental and food allergens. Higher levels indicate an allergy.
• Elimination diet trials remove ingredients like proteins and grains stepwise to isolate any food allergies.
• Skin scrapings under the microscope detect presence of mites, fungi, or abnormal levels of bacteria/yeast.
• Fecal examinations check for parasites like giardia that could be causing gastrointestinal symptoms.

Once the offending allergens are identified using these tests, appropriate treatment can be prescribed.

Effective Allergy Treatment Options for Cavapoos

• Veterinary prescription diets made with hydrolyzed proteins and novel carbohydrates to remove allergens.
• Allergen-specific immunotherapy (allergy shots) helps desensitize the immune response over time.
• Anti-itch and anti-inflammatory medications like Apoquel provide relief from itching, swelling, and skin infection.
• Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acid supplements help improve coat health and skin condition.
• Short term steroid use for acute flare-ups if other treatments are inadequate.
• Antibiotics or antifungal medications to treat secondary bacterial or yeast infections of the skin and ears.
• Antihistamines like diphenhydramine help control milder allergy symptoms.

With a combination of allergen avoidance, medications, and immunotherapy, most Cavapoos obtain substantial allergy relief and improvement in their quality of life.

Tips for Allergy Prevention in Cavapoos

While you can’t completely prevent allergies, you can lower risks in Cavapoo puppies by:

• Selecting responsible breeders who screen breeding dogs for genetic allergies.
• Feeding high-quality puppy food and supplements starting at weaning.
• Using comprehensive flea/tick and heartworm prevention medications.
• Avoiding over-vaccination and unnecessary medications.
• Gradually introducing new foods, pets, people, and environments during socialization.
• Establishing a regular grooming routine to distribute skin oils and remove dander

Caring for an Allergic Cavapoo

Managing an allergic Cavapoo takes diligence but is very feasible. Closely monitor for flare-ups, adhere to your vet’s treatment plan, and make home adjustments to reduce allergen exposure. Together with your vet, you can help your Cavapoo enjoy a fulfilling, comfortable life while managing their allergies!