ALLERGY TESTING

Some allergies are obvious--the dog that is allergic to a bee sting. In that case, you take great pains to avoid exposure of your pet to the bee vemon--the "allergen." If your pet is exposed, he has immediate signs including facial itching, facial swelling, vomiting and hives. In this case, your pet needs immediate veterinary attention. However, there are other, more subtle types of allergies.

Dogs and cats can be allergic to all the same things people have allergies to including pollen, grass, dust, cedar, (the list is almost endless). In addition, some animals are allergic to flea saliva or even food! The signs of these allergies are not always obvious and include one or many of the following: generalized pruritis (itchiness), hair loss, rashes, discharge from the eyes, vomiting, diarrhea, flatulence, and chronic ear infections.

There are many steps that must be taken to discover the underlying allergy. The first step is for your pet to have a thorough physical exam and the skin or ears evaluated for infectious organisms that can exacerbate the allergies. Then, a blood sample can be taken from your pet and submitted to a laboratory that will test your pet's blood against the common allergens in this area of the country. Once all the results are in, you and your veterinarian can decide on the best therapy for your allergic dog.

Therapies may include the following: changes in food, antihistamines, anti-inflammatory drugs, flea prevention, and modifications to your pet's environment.