Pinpoint Environmental Allergies with Advanced Testing
Intradermal and Serum Allergy Testing Procedure
Allergy testing is performed on animals with itchy skin and/or recurrent skin and ear infections, after other possible underlying diseases such as skin parasites and food allergy have been ruled out.
Dr. Wyatt, a board-certified veterinary dermatologist, interpreting an intradermal allergy test in preparation of immunotherapy treatment in one of her canine patients.
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Intradermal or skin allergy testing is considered the “gold standard” for the diagnosis and treatment of environmental allergies (atopy) such as pollen, grass, dust and molds. Another alternative to this test is serum allergy testing – this is a simple blood draw and does not require any sedation.
Serum allergy testing can be a great option for pets that must remain on chronic medications (such as steroids or anti-seizure medications) or those patients that are unable to be sedated due to other illnesses. This may also be a great choice for brachycephalic patients who cannot undergo sedation without general anesthesia.
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During the intradermal allergy test, a mild sedative is administered to a pet. Approximately 50 different allergens are injected under the skin and observed for a red, raised reaction. Small amounts of the allergens that the pet reacts to are then formulated into a desensitization vaccine, which is administered by injections under the skin (easily given by the owner at home) once every 1-4 weeks, or by low dose daily sublingual (oral) allergy drops (no needle required!).
The goal of desensitization with immunotherapy is to adjust the abnormal immune response to environmental allergens in order to decrease symptoms and need for other medications. With treatment approximately 75% of allergic animals symptoms are improved by 50% or more. Lifelong treatment is usually required. The expertise of a board-certified veterinary dermatologist enables more successful individualized management of allergy immunotherapy, by adjusting therapy, allergen dose, and frequency depending on the individual animal’s response to treatment.
Immunotherapy is the best, safest, and most effective way to treat environmental allergies. Call to schedule a consultation with one of our dermatologists if you feel that your pet could benefit from allergy testing and treatment.
*If you pet experiences non-seasonal itching, a food trial will be required prior to allergy testing.
*Our doctors do not recommend allergy testing if you are not interested in beginning immunotherapy.
Dr. Wyatt and her team performing intradermal allergy testing on a canine patient.
Benefits and Features
Allergy testing will allow the doctors to identify what your pet is most sensitive to in the environment and create a full, therapeutic management plan that is tailored to your pet’s specific needs. Immunotherapy is created after allergy testing to desensitize your pet to the common allergens that they are flaring to - this often leads to a reduction in clinical signs and the frequency of flare-ups.
If you are looking for FOOD allergy testing please know that we do not offer this service; we only perform a food trial as our diagnostic protocol for food allergy diagnosis and management.