title: Anaphylaxis in dogs and cats.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To review and summarize current information regarding the pathophysiology and clinical manifestations associated with anaphylaxis in dogs and cats. The etiology, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis is discussed.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Anaphylaxis is a systemic, type I hypersensitivity reaction that often has fatal consequences. Many of the principal clinical manifestations involve organs where mast cell concentrations are highest: the skin, the lungs, and the gastrointestinal tract. Histamine and other deleterious inflammatory mediators promote vascular permeability and smooth muscle contraction; they are readily released from sensitized mast cells and basophils challenged with antigen. Anaphylaxis may be triggered by a variety of antigens including insect and reptile venom, a variety of drugs, vaccines, and food.
  
  
  METHODS
  Anaphylaxis is a clinical diagnosis made from a collection of signs and symptoms. It is most commonly based on pattern recognition. Differential diagnoses include severe asthma, pheocromocytoma, and mastocytosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Epinephrine is considered the drug of choice for the treatment of anaphylaxis. It acts primarily as a vasopressor in improving hemodynamic recovery. Adjunctive treatments include fluid therapy, H1 and H2 antihistamines, corticosteroids, and bronchodilators; however, these do not substitute for epinephrine.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Prognosis depends on the severity of the clinical signs. The clinical signs will vary among species and route of exposure. The most severe clinical reactions are associated when the antigen is administered parenterally.
authors.affiliation: Oradell Animal Hospital, Emergency and Critical Care, 580 Winters Avenue, Paramus, NJ 07652, USA. daniella.shmuel@gmail.com
authors.forename: Daniella L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Shmuel
authors.forename: Yonaira
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Cortes
mesh_terms: D000707:Anaphylaxis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D000818:Animals; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002415:Cats; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004285:Dogs
keywords: allergens; epinephrine; histamine; mast cells; type I hypersensitivity