Dear Dr. John,

My six-year-old cat does not like to travel so I have not had her seen for a while. My concerns stem from the possibility of her having allergies. I have done research and have tried various diets to alleviate what seemed to be clinical signs. She had runny eyes periodically that seemed to stop with a grain-free diet. She has also resorted to scratching above her left eye and now has a small area with little to no hair on it. Do you think allergies are the cause? I have been told that there are allergy tests, but I have also heard that they are not that dependable. I called a local vet for an appointment, but they informed me that they would have to give her a rabies shot to comply with the law before doing anything else. Does that sound right? D.L.

Dear D.L.,

Allergies in cats are quite common. The clinical signs vary but include itching and scratching, sneezing or coughing, runny eyes as you noted, or even gastrointestinal issues like vomiting and diarrhea. Diagnosis can be challenging. If your cat has not scratched itself enough to get red skin and/or scabs then an allergy, if present, may not be too serious.

Food allergies usually lead to digestive issues rather than skin issues. Skin issues may be more likely due to other environmental factors such as pollens or dust. If your cat is strictly an indoor cat, one can probably rule out flea allergy or other ectoparasites. I do think it would be to her benefit for you to make an appointment with a veterinarian even if the cat doesn’t like to travel and, yes, a rabies vaccine is required by law. As for tests, you have already tried one in an elimination diet. Other tests might include skin cytology or sampling and even skin testing. Bloodwork might also be done. These tests are quite dependable.

Treatments might include medications including corticosteroids, antihistamines, or other treatment modalities. I am sure with proper evaluation and diagnostics, in the hands of a professional, your cat will get well.

Dr. John de Jong is President of the World Veterinary Association. He owns and operates the Boston Mobile Veterinary Clinic and can be reached at 781-899-9994.