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What is allergy testing?
Allergy testing tells us to which allergens your pet is allergic. We use this information to better understand the pet's allergies and to design an allergy serum (or allergy vaccine, immunotherapy, desensitization.)
Allergy testing is done by a skin test (intradermal allergy test, or IDAT) and or a blood allergy test. At Veterinary Allergy and Dermatology Services, we usually do both tests when evaluating a pet's allergies. Though neither test is 100% accurate, the IDAT is considered the "gold standard" in allergy testing. Also, allergy testing is not used so much for making a diagnosis of allergies as it is in designing immunotherapy (see below.) The diagnosis of atopy/inhalant allergies is made by ruling out all other causes of itching and infections.
How is the skin test done?
The actual procedure is relatively simple and involves a short-acting, light sedative. When the sedative takes effect (usually in about 30 minutes) we start the intradermal portion of the allergy test. This involves giving a series of small injections within the skin of the most common allergens in this area of the country. We then evaluate the injection sites 15 minutes and 3-4 hours after the start of the test. At the same time, we draw a blood sample and submit it to a special laboratory for evaluation of the allergic antibodies in the blood. These results are back to us in approximately 2 weeks.
What about "allergy injections?"
Based on the results of the skin and blood allergy test results, we can formulate an "allergy serum" or "allergen-specific immunotherapy." Immunotherapy involves giving the pet injections of the things they reacted to in small but increasing quantities. Over time, the effort with this is to "retrain" the pet's immune system to be less reactive to those allergens and prevent the signs of the allergy from happening.
Not all pets respond to the immunotherapy; approximately 70% of dogs and 50-60% of cats respond to those injections.
The response to allergy serum is best when based on results of both the skin and blood test. Doing both tests gives us the most information for your individual pets' needs.
What about food allergy?
We do not perform skin or blood testing for food allergies. The best way to diagnose or rule out a food allergy is to do a restricted diet for a specified time period as directed. For more information, please see the "Food Allergy & Restricted Diets" page.
What if I am coming a long way and want to get as much done in one visit as possible?
We get this question a lot. Please let us know this when you schedule your appointment and ask your veterinarian to call us to discuss your pet's medical care before your visit. We will get as much done as necessary and possible on the first visit. Because many medications may interfere with allergy testing, we may not always be able to test on first visit. We often need a recheck visit at some point, but we try to do as much as we can through phone calls with you and communication with your primary care veterinarian.
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