ALLERGY TESTING
HOW IS IT DONE?
Your pet can be screened for allergy to a wide range of environmental allergens (eg. house dust mite, pollens and grasses) by way of a simple blood test. The sample is sent to a specialist laboratory and a report is returned listing to what, and to what degree, your pet is sensitive.
HOW DOES IT HELP?
Ultimately, the best treatment for an allergy is to avoid contact with the offending substance. This is not always possible. Thus, in many cases, intermittent or even continuous treatment is necessary in the form of steroids, antibiotics, antihistamines, shampoos or supplements. Drugs such as steroids, if used for too long or indiscriminately, can have significant side effects. Drugs such as antibiotics and antihistamines, whilst having far less side effects, can amount to considerable expense. If your pet is positive on allergy test, the laboratory prepares vials of “desensitising vaccines”. These are then given by injection - more frequently initially, then eventually on a 3-4 weekly control basis. The aim is control of your pet’s allergy whilst minimising the need for additional drugs.
HOW SUCCESSFUL IS IT?
Dogs and cats, like people, are individuals. No two dogs or cats are exactly the same and neither are their allergies! Therefore, some patients will respond better than others. Some will be seemingly totally cured and the odd patient won’t seem to benefit at all! The majority of patients will respond within 3-5 months. Response is measured by the need, and frequency of need, for treatment other than the “allergy shots”. “Allergy shots” are not a quick cure for your pet’s allergies but, rather a safer, and in many cases, a cheaper control method for an ongoing problem.
HOW IS IT DONE?
The initial blood test is taken in a normal appointment. When the treatment vials are received a regime of injections is commenced. If your pet develops clinical symptoms of its allergy during treatment, they are controlled by the use of antibiotics, shampoos, etc. Steroid use during desensitisation is avoided if possible. We can give the injections for you but are also very happy to teach you how to give them at home. This reduces the number of visits you need to make, saves you time and also reduces the cost.