Allergy testing

[.sarah]

Has anyone ever had an allergy test performed on their dog? I've got one set up tomorrow for Nova. Her allergies are just getting out of control lately. I'm not sure if she's allergic to a certain meat, or if it's seasonal, or what. But she's just so uncomfortable and she's always itching. She has constant ear infections and rashes, but her face is what's really bothering her right now. It's getting all scabby and she's losing hair. Take a look ...

[Jessika]

Yeah Charlie gets a hot spot on his butt and on his chest where he will scratch/chew himself raw if I let him (one time it was so bad he had blood all over his chest and a huge patch of missing fur. Definitely not attractive to the ladies). I've narrowed his down to seasonal allergies though since they are non-existant in winter months, but as soon as spring hit it was awful

[.sarah]

Do you put him on medication to control it? I'm just wondering what type of route we're going to have to go.

[lvpets2002]

What a adorable baby you have.. Oh yes I went threw all of that with my Late Brit & they decided not only did she have sesonal allergies, she also had Tyroid problems && at one time she took up to eight pills a day for all her problems..

[.sarah]

Thank you.

I really hope it doesn't get to that point. She is just miserable though, and she needs something. She has so many problems and she's only a year old

[DogLover9501]

I don't post often, but I've been through alot with alergies! They aren't fun.

Do you know if the test is a blood test, or not? Jasper had the blood alergy tests, and neither showed anything. I've heard they are very inaccurate, but were the only kind available to us here.

That's the most I can say without more information. I hope you are able to find out what's causing Nova's, or atleast narrow it down. Good luck!

[.sarah]

Yeah, it's a blood test. I don't know if there's another kind? I'll try anything until we get a result.

[DogLover9501]

I think the other kind would be the same as they do on humans(on the skin). Usually done by an animal dermatologist. We don't have any here.

I know the blood tests do find things(or narrow them down) for some people. So I hope you do find out something.

Jasper has been going through alergies since he was 5 months old, and we tried things until our vet didn't know what else to do. However, I have found things that helped on my own. He's doing pretty good right now

Keep us posted.

[Jessika]

When it got so bad he bled, I would put something like neosporin or polysporin on it. I've heard using goldbond body powder all over their body helps (but was unsure so I have not taken that route). Otherwise what really helped for me this last time was we went to Walmart looking for an oatmeal shampoo but they were out, instead they had this Medicated Shampoo from Hartz (I know I'm usually not too fond of Hartz, either). HJ gave him a bath using it, and it worked! I don't know what it did but he stopped scratching almost immediately. Up until the bath we gave him a benedryl a day.

Another option for hot spots (I forget if its ok to use if the skin is broken) is they have the anti itch spray stuff, but we've never used that. I've heard it works though, especially on their paws.

[Glacier]

We never did a full allergy test for Sleet, but she had a number of elemination trials. Initally we thought was a food allergy, but changing her food, even to the 90 bucks a bag hypo-allergenic stuff, didn't help at all. My vet thinks based on where Sleet shows symptoms(her belly and paws) that she's allergic to something she walks and lays on. I think I know what it is, but it's a plant that covers about 95% of the Yukon so there's no way she can avoid it! She gets a steriod shot(Depro-merdol) once or twice a year. It kills the inflammation and itching within a few hours. She used to go on prednisone, but it turned her into a completely different dog and not a nice one! The depro is almost as effective and doesn't change her personality. It does have the usual 'roid side effects of increased thirst and hunger.

Good luck. I hope you find out what's bugging your girl!

[lv4dogs]

Raustyk has had extensive allergy testing in the past. It's very similar to human allergy testing, onsiously the more extensive the test the more envolved it is. This should be done by a specialist only. They shave a patch of hair & inject a bunch of different common allergy causing substance, wait 24-48 hours (can't remember for sure). They then examine the area to see what locations are irritated.

Does she happen to eat out of plastic bowls? That could be part of the problem thats causing the irritation around the mouth. It's very comon for dogs who eat out of plastic to get allergy/pimple type symptoms on the muzzle.

[lv4dogs]

I am SO sorry, I forgot to add that I wish yous the best of luck tomorrow & it's really not that bad. We'll be wishing for something simple.

[Dixieland Dancer]

Does she happen to eat out of plastic bowls? That could be part of the problem thats causing the irritation around the mouth. It's very comon for dogs who eat out of plastic to get allergy/pimple type symptoms on the muzzle.

I was going to ask this same question. Plastic is a big no no for dogs. It holds bacteria that cause problems such as what you are seeing around your dogs mouth. Switch to stainless steel bowls for both feeding and drinking and make sure they get a good soapy water clean out at least once a week (or more).

My Dusty was allergy tested. I'll write more about it tomorrow as I am being called in a different direction now by my human kid.

[Karen]

She has my utmost sympathy. As an "allergic person," tell her I feel her pain, and hope you'll be able to figure out both what's bothering her, and how to combat it. Poor Super Nova!

[.sarah]

No, we don't use plastic bowls. We use ceramic, and they are washed after every use. Thanks though.