If your veterinarian suspects that your dog has allergies, they have probably talked to you about allergy tests.
Dog allergy tests are available in several forms, with some more efficient than others.
Find out what types of dog allergy tests, which is why they are recommended and what you can expect from dog allergy testing.
Key dealers
- Dog allergy tests help identify specific allergens that trigger symptoms and include skin testing (idate), blood tasting (rast) and food experiments.
- Idat is the best way to diagnose environmental allergies, while food experiments are the most reliable way to diagnose food allergies.
- Allergy testing can guide the development of immunotherapy treatments, which may not be necessary if symptoms can be handled with medicines alone.
- Costs range from $ 200 to $ 500 for testing, and preparations may include stopping drugs and fasting before procedures as idy.
What are dog allergy tests?
Dog allergy tests are performed to determine the cause of your dog's allergic symptoms. These tests may include skin tests, blood samples or food experiments. The goal of dog allergy tests is to find the specific allergens that trigger your dog's immune system.
Since allergic skin conditions are common in dogs, veterinarians often recommend allergy tests. But if the pet parent rejects testing, veterinarians can treat symptoms without knowing the results of an allergy test.
Allergy tests involving several needle sticks can be painful for dogs, so skin testing is usually performed during sedation. Skin reactions to injected allergens can also cause discomfort from itching and swelling.
Types of dog allergy tests
The three main types of dog allergy tests are:
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Intradermal allergy testing (idat). With Idat testing, the dog is soothing and a hair label on one side of the body is shaved. The veterinarian, often a dermatology specialist, injects small amounts of different allergens into the skin and then monitors each place of injection for redness and swelling (ie a hive or wheal).
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Radio allergose bent test (RAST). A rast test is a blood test that measures antibodies against specific allergens. This test is usually sent to a laboratory for analysis.
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Food experiments. Food experiments are the best way to do food allergy tests in dogs. During a food attempt, the dog eats a special allergy for up to eight weeks.
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Treats, flavored medicines and human foods are prohibited because they can interfere with the results. If the dog's symptoms improve when on diet, food allergies are likely. To confirm the ingredients the dog is allergic to, food is slowly reinstated to observe reactions.
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You can hear about hair or saliva tests for allergies in dogs, but the accuracy of these tests is not proven.
Talk to your veterinarian about which test is best for your pet.
Why would a dog need allergy tests?
If your dog has symptoms of an allergy, your veterinarian may recommend allergy tests.
Before allergy testing, your veterinarian will exclude other common causes of itchy skin in dogs, such as fleas or skin infections.
Common allergy symptoms in dogs include:
Sometimes dogs with food allergies develop loose stools or vomiting.
But skin problems are more common than stomach problems in dogs with food allergies. Dogs can also develop watery eyes or sneezes such as people with allergies, but these classic symptoms of “hay fever” are less common in dogs.
Risks for dog allergy tests
Some form of allergic reaction is expected with idate and food attempts, which means itching, red skin or local swelling can develop or worsen due to the test.
The severity of these allergic reactions may vary, but your veterinarian can prescribe medicines to keep your dog comfortable.
Rarely could a dog develop an extreme allergy reaction called anaphylaxis, which requires immediate emergency treatment.
If your dog is undergoing Idat testing, they will be calm for the procedure. Although it is not the same as general anesthesia, sedation still has any risks, such as vomiting and aspiration (getting fluid into the lungs).
Your veterinarian will discuss risks with you and take steps to minimize the danger, such as fasting before the procedure.
Benefits of dog allergy tests
Dog allergy tests help determine your dog's allergy triggers, which can help you avoid them in the future.
A dog food allergy test or food trial can reveal the ingredients You should avoid feeding to prevent allergic reactions. The results of Idat and Rast allergy testing can be used to develop allergy images for your dog. Immunotherapy takes time to work, but it is effective for many dogs with environmental allergies.
The effectiveness of dog allergy tests
Idat is considered to be the gold standard for testing environmental allergies in dogs. Rast is usually considered less effective due to the potential for false positive effects, but it can still be helpful in identifying and treating dog allergies if Idat cannot be achieved.
Food attempts take time, but they are worthy of pet parents trying to avoid allergic triggers. Idat is effective if you plan to conduct immunotherapy treatments for your dog.
Without allergy test results, your veterinarian will rely on general allergy treatments such as Apoquel or Atopica to control your dog's symptoms.
Cost for dog allergy tests
According to nationwide pet insurance, dog allergy tests cost $ 200 to $ 500.
This cost covers diagnostic testing but does not include the cost of examinations or treatments for your dog.
For food attempts, a therapeutic diet costs about $ 50 to $ 100 per month.
Prepares for dog allergy tests
If your dog is undergoing Idat testing, they will be calm for the procedure.
Your veterinarian will tell you when to fasten your puppy before their test to prevent the risk of vomiting while calming.
A common recommendation is to keep food after midnight the night before your visit, but you should follow your veterinarian's specific instructions.
Water is usually ok.
Some medications, such as prednisone or benadryl, may interfere with allergy test results.
Many allergy treatments must be stopped several weeks before testing.
Ask your veterinarian about withdrawal periods for medicines that your dog takes and alternative methods to control itching before allergy tests.
Dog allergy tests common questions
Is allergy test for dogs worth it?
Food attempts are helpful in excluding food allergies and identifying food triggers, and these are usually considered valuable.
Idat is worth it if you intend to conduct immunotherapy for your dog. Rast is not as accurate as Idat but can be an alternative for pet parents who are interested in immunotherapy.
How do veterinarians test for allergies in dogs?
Veterinarians identify allergies in dogs by observing clinical signs and excluding other skin conditions such as parasites or infections.
Veterinarians can test for specific dog allergies through food attempts, skin testing or blood tasting.
Is there a test to see what your dog is allergic to?
Yes, there are tests available to identify your dog's allergies. Food attempts are the best way to test for food allergies. Skin testing (ie intradermal allergy testing or idy) is considered to be the gold standard for environmental allergies, while blood tasting (ie radio allergosorbent test or rast) is another alternative.
How does a veterinarian decide if a dog has allergies?
The veterinarian will first exclude other conditions that may cause similar symptoms. Once excluded, the veterinarian can diagnose allergic skin disease. They may recommend a food attempt to exclude food allergies or encourage the pet parent to conduct more specific allergy testing.
How can I get a dog allergy test?
Most veterinarians can guide you through a food attempt for food allergies or blood tasting for environmental allergies. But skin testing, which is considered more effective than blood tasting, may require a visit from a veterinary hermatologist.
