Does your pet exhibit itching that cause your pet to go beyond typical scratching? Is your pet continually licking their feet? Does your pet exhibit signs of hair loss or broken skin? These may be signs of an allergic reaction to food, parasites, or allergens in the environment of the pet such as grass or dust. Countless pets in the Charleston area suffer from allergic conditions, and, fortunately, Charleston Mobile Animal Clinic can help with allergy testing!
What types of allergy testing are available for my pet?
There are two common types of testing available, which include serum testing and intradermal skin testing. A third method of determining the cause of an allergy is known as a food trial, which is the elimination of the current diet in favor of food with entirely different ingredients. Each testing methodology has its strengths and drawbacks, and Dr. Kellie Horton will determine which one will be most beneficial to your pet and their unique needs.
Blood/serum testing can detect the presence of antigen-induced antibodies in the blood sample. This testing method can determine what allergens in the household are causing your pet to react.
Intradermal skin testing entails shaving a portion of the abdomen or side of the pet, and injecting tiny amounts of allergens in different places, and then monitoring the skin reaction. Areas that are not inflamed or red are not likely causing a response, while the portions of the skin which do react will indicate a possible allergy to that particular allergen.
At the conclusion of the testing, there are several actions to take. First, you should attempt to remove the allergens from the environment of the pet if possible. For example, if your pet is allergic to the grass in your yard you would want to keep them from walking in those areas. If your pet is allergic to their original diet, a permanent change of food would be required. Finally, Dr. Horton will develop a continued treatment plan to keep your pet as comfortable as possible.