Allergies

Do you get runny, itchy eyes when you get around cats? Does your throat hurt or itch after eating certain foods? Are you allergic to certain chemicals that cause rashes on your skin? You are probably quite familiar with people’s reactions to allergens, but what about your dog?

Similarly to people, dogs will itch when they are exposed to something they are allergic to. Sometimes, however, this itching causes sores, which quickly become infected, increasing the intensity of the itch. We usually see seasonal allergies-or atopy-in the spring, summer and occasionally the fall. But some household allergens, such as dust, molds, fabrics, etc. may make your pet itch year round.

There are two ways to definitively diagnose atopy – skin testing or blood testing. Skin testing is done through a specialist in dermatology and is similar to a scratch test in humans. The cost can range anywhere from $300-$500, requires light anesthesia or tranquilization and your pet may be quite itchy over the test site for up to 4 weeks. The results, however, are immediate. Blood testing costs between $175-$250. It is a simple blood test with results in 10-14 days and is done at Jensen’s Animal Hospital. With both tests, your dog may need to be off certain types of medications, foods or shampoos for up to one month before testing.

Chronic (repeated or for long durations) ear infections and foot licking are two cardinal signs of a food allergy. Dogs that have been on the same food for all their life can become food allergic. It can also start as young as 6 month of age. While there are blood tests that can determine food allergies, they are not always accurate. More commonly, your veterinarian will recommend a food elimination diet. This requires only a particular type of food being fed, with no table scraps, treats or flavored medications for a minimum of 8 weeks. If your dog is found to have food allergies, it will require special food for the rest of its life. Any time he/she eats something he/she is not supposed to, you can expect the ear infection or the itching to come back.

If you think your pet has allergies or if you have questions about blood testing for allergies, please give us a call for an appointment.

Dr. Pamela Graves