Allergies

[M & M's Mom Linda]

Marcus is again suffering with ear problems that I am now totaling convinced are allergies. He also has itchy eyes and gets hot spots easily...all signs of allergies. The Dermatologist we saw last year ( from a vet hospital we respect and trust)wanted us to start with a new, never used protein...Kangaroo...it had terrible ingredients so we didn't do it. I don't want to change foods...I want to know what Marcus is allergic to and then we will adjust his diet. He is eating a grain free fish based kibble...Acana Pacifia.
We have been given a few options...blood tests, allergy shots etc. but when we consulted Dr. Dodd's...she said the only accurate predictive of allergy testing is skin patch testing where Marcus would be shaved. I hate to do that but of course will if it gives him some relief. I'd like to do the best testing available.
Anyone have any experience or advice?

 

[Thule's Mom]

I just had Thule tested through a blood test and I'm very satisifed with the results; the test is accurate, according to the lab and my vet. Send me a PM with your email, if you like, and I can send you a copy and the literature they sent me. Thule came back positive for chicken, beef, lamb, milk, brewer's yeast, carrot, and borderline for oatmeal. they also test for environmental allergies, tailored to where to live. If nothing else, it's another opinion. I know how absolutely miserable allergies are. I've switched Thule to TOTW Pacific Stream, and I mix with some of the Wellness canned (95% free and the Simple varieties). She's on a prescription antihistamine too - for the time being anyway, at least until I'm convinced everything is under control. It's been only a week, but I can really see a difference with her ears. The skin between the pads of her feet still bothers her, but I've been told to give the new food at least two months. It can that that long for the allergins to leave her system.

Deb

 

[mulenag]

Ebony was tested with the "pin-prick" method. They really didn't give us testing options, that is just what they did. Her test only included environmental allergens, no foods. Through our own trial and error we found out that she's not allergic to any foods...all her triggers are environmental. They did not need to shave a large area on her and I remember that it did grow back quickly. It was also somewhat underneath, so at a glance you never even knew she was shaved.
We never did any allergy shots, but knowing what was causing her issues really helped us. We can avoid certain things that trigger her and we aren't constantly wondering.

 

[2newfs4now]

We had blood drawn and tested for Max's allergies...there's a boat-load!!! He gets shots once a month because of the number of environmental allergens and does well with the shots.

 

[suse]

Just a thought, have you had his thyroid checked? Those are the same symptoms Seamus had along with being less energetic. From the advice from others here, I had it checked and sure enough, that's what it was! Since he has started taking Soloxine, he has no more ear infections, goopy eyes or hot spots and, boy, is his energy back!! He does have allergies, also and the vet wanted to put him on that kangaroo stuff too, and I , also, nixed it!
Best wishes to you and your handsome boy!!

 

[R Taft]

We did the pinprick, but it included food and medications too........200 in all.
Annabelle is multi allergic, but most of it seems to be preservative related. We initially thought wheat, but she can eat the grain when blended, just not when it comes as bread, biscuits or in any packaged food. She has no issues with RAW of any kind, be it vegetable, fruit, meat or grain.
Kangaroo meat is very popular for allergy dogs in Australia. But it is meat and sold fresh or frozen, so has nothing in it. It is recommended for very allergic dogs. And I knoe of a few dogs on the RAW diet that have raw kangaroo.

 

[victoria1140]

Beau tested positive for pork and yet this never sets his system off, since switching to the Orijen he has been doing fine . I would go for the shaved area tests as I thunk they are more reliable. Beau's were from bloodwork

 

[M & M's Mom Linda]

Marcus had a full Thyroid Profile 5 by Dr. Dodds last October and all was normal.

 

[Shel]

When I had Webster tested (in 2000) we were given two options: 1) skin prick test which is more accurate, but didn't include foods and required shaving, and 2) blood test which included foods, but was known to return the odd false positive. Since I highly suspected food allergies, we went with the blood testing.... and I'm glad we did, the poor boy was allergic to every kibble on the market (at that time), but one. I would give Webster allergy shots... we both hated it... and I can't honestly say they did any good.

 

[Thule's Mom]

I had the test done by "Spectrum Labs" using a patented 'Spot Test'.
Their literature says that skin testing is the older method of testing; Blood testing utilizes the most current techniques in medical testing and it is the preferred method by many vets as it involves less trauma to the pet than skin testing and the information is much more accurate. You may also continue to support your pet with steroids and antihistamines, unlike skin testing where an average of four to six weeks medication withdrawal is required. Another advantage to blood testing is the virtually unlimited number of allergens that can be tested for with a single blood draw and the ability to determine food allergies WHICH IS NOT AVAILABLE THROUGH SKIN TESTING.

Anyway... for what it's worth... that's what the literature says.

 

[KatieB]

We had the Spectrum test for environmental allergies done as we highly suspected his issues were environmental. Our vet said he's not in the business of wasting our money so he did not advise we do the food blood test as he said it is not nearly as accurate. So our vet thinks the Spectrum blood test for environmental allergies is great but for food he thinks it's not very good at all. Mojo's results came back very positive for some big environmental triggers and he is now on allergy shots and doing well. He never had ear infections or itchy feet he was just itchy on his back and would lick his back and rear causing major infections. We have cleared up his skin and while he's still itchy he's come a LONG way in just a few months with a food change and the allergy shots.

 

[suse]

Marcus had a full Thyroid Profile 5 by Dr. Dodds last October and all was normal.

Well, That is good news! I don't have any other advice, but wish you and your boy all the best with easy answers. Marcus is so handsome!!!