Brewer's Yeast Allergy in Cats

Brewer’s yeast is a by-product of the beer brewing process which can be toxic to dogs and cats.  Its toxicity can stem from the animal’s sensitivity to yeast in general or, more importantly, from the preparation of brewer’s yeast for commercial and consumer use.  This yeast is grown on malted barley and this gives it a bitter taste.   While brewer’s yeast is known to be a great supplement for B vitamins in humans, it is not so healthy in cats due to ingredients added to make it more palatable.

Brewer’s yeast is a by-product of the beer brewing process and, because of ingredients put into it when commercially prepared is toxic to dogs and cats, even to the point of being fatal.

Symptoms of brewer’s yeast allergy in cats can relate to a sensitivity to yeast products in general or to the additives in the product for commercial and consumer use.  Though dogs and cats are both susceptible to this toxicity, cats are more sensitive to it. Symptoms related to yeast allergies in cats can include:

• Itching skin
• Irritation to skin (various locations on the cat’s body)
• Ear infection
• Gastrointestinal issues
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Sneezing and coughing
• Occasional wheezing

Additional symptoms of allergies/toxicity to ingredients:

• Weakness
• Lethargy
• Decreased appetite
• Pale gums
• Red colored urine
• Reduced or lack of muscle coordination
• Increased or excessive salivation
• Increased heart rate

Types  

The types of brewer’s yeast allergy in cats pertain to the cause of the allergy.  

General Yeast Allergy

Most cats will benefit from nutritional yeast additives in their diets as this product is rich in vitamin B and is great for the skin and coats - if the feline is sensitive to yeast in general, adding brewer’s yeast will further exacerbate that sensitivity. Small amounts of yeast organisms are present under normal circumstances on the skin of cats and aren’t generally a problem until something else upsets the immune system balance or allows those organisms to proliferate abnormally.

Additives to Brewer’s Yeast

Since the brewer’s yeast causes it to be more bitter and generally less palatable, many manufacturers of brewer’s yeast add other ingredients to help the taste.  One of those additives is garlic and this is the toxic substance which can be fatal to your cat.

The main toxic ingredient in Brewer’s Yeast is added garlic.  Garlic (allium sativum) is from the Liliaceae family and is considered toxic to cats, dogs and horses.  The toxicity comes from N-propyl disulfide which is an oxidant that is known to cause wreak havoc on the red blood cells.  This damage occurs when:

• The oxidant attaches to the red blood cells, beginning a reaction by the immune system in which the oxidant (which has attached to the red blood cell) is interpreted as an invader
• Once the immune system identifies the invader, the normal immune response is to send antibodies to attack and destroy the invader
• When this happens, the invader that is attacked is the red blood cell, thus causing hemolysis (a condition in which the red blood cells are broken down)
• Anemia (low red blood cells) is the result 
• Anemia causes reduced oxygen transmission to organs and tissues, causing kidney damage and eventual oxygen starvation and organ failure to all vital organs

Diagnosis of brewer’s yeast allergy will be determined primarily by lab testing.  Your complete history will be needed by your veterinary professional which needs to include the food and any supplemental foods or pills, powders or liquids being offered to your cat.  Your veterinary professional will need to do a physical examination and will likely need to order some laboratory testing.  He will need to get blood and tissue samples for lab evaluation.  He will be ordering blood tests to determine if hemolytic anemia is present.  

He will also need the results of blood smears which will identify Heinz Bodies to indicate oxidative toxicosis.  Radiographic imaging (x-rays) may be required to assure the correct diagnosis as hemolytic anemia can be a cause of other conditions or diseases.   Your veterinary professional will assess and evaluate the blood panels and the x-ray results to ascertain the appropriate diagnosis of the malady of which your feline is suffering and will develop the appropriate treatment plan.

The standard treatment for brewer’s yeast allergy in cats is very to the point in that you must eliminate yeast, garlic (and onions, too) from the diet.  Check the ingredients in the brewer’s yeast you are feeding your cat and, if it contains garlic or onions, stop immediately.  Also, if your cat has a history of snacking on onions and garlic, discontinue this as well. Since the bone marrow’s basic function is to make new red blood cells and because it has been doing that throughout the allergic/toxic episode, once you discontinue the toxin (garlic, onion or brewer’s yeast in which these are ingredients), then the hemolytic action will stop and, over time, the red blood cells will be replenished to a normal, healthy level.  The veterinarian will provide clinical therapy as required; if fluids for vomiting and diarrhea, or topical ointments for skin irritation are needed, these will be prescribed and may be continued for home use.

Beyond that, supportive care which includes keeping your pet quiet and calm is needed.  Do all that you can do to achieve calmness in your pet as any excitement or unnecessary activity can cause your pet to need increased oxygen which the body can’t supply due to the decreased red blood cells and may lead to fainting from lack of oxygen.  Also, be sure to offer plenty of good, healthy food options which don’t include onions, garlic or brewer’s yeast.

The prognosis for recovery from this toxicity is good provided the toxicity was not too great.  In the event that your pet was found to be severely anemic, then you should expect that blood transfusions may be required to provide adequate oxygenation while the bone marrow replenishes the red blood cells which have been damaged or destroyed.  If your pet has suffered from even the sensitivity to yeast versus the allergic symptoms, it would be prudent not to feed brewer’s yeast to your feline to reduce the opportunity for the toxicosis or yeast infection to repeat itself.  If your pet has a yeast sensitivity, it is likely that you will have to find other means to supplement his diet to get the nutrients that are available from even the nutritional varieties of yeast products, which are many to be sure.