[GSDgirlAL]

I'm finally going to break down (yet again) and have Ava food allergy tested again ... I'm very curious if the test results are going to be the same. The results will probably take 7-10 days to get back, I'm taking her in on Tuesday for the bloodwork.

Anyways, please keep your fingers crossed for me that she isn't allergic to everything this time around .... I really wouldn't know where to begin food wise if that's the case!

 

[CertainlySpoiled]

I hope everything goes well for Ava and you on Tuesday!

 

[natalie559]

Most people agree that allergy testing for foods is inconclusive and not very reliable.

Have you tried an elimination diet? Starting with a novel protein and a novel carb and nothing else- no treats no flavored meds- nothing. . .

Why do you think it is foods and not environmental or a combo of both? Have you tested for environmental triggers?

 

[GSDgirlAL]

Interesting ... I have always found the food allergy report very helpful, with both Cooper and Ava.

No, have not tried an elimination diet, she was diagnosed with food allergies at an early age so I never went down that route.

The reason why I want to get her restested is b/c I want to see if she has possibly out grown some of the allergies and therefore will make choosing food for her a little bit easier. B/c right now there are very few foods that I can feed her that don't contain anything that she is allergic too.

 

[GSDgirlAL]

Thank you .. Jennifer, me too!!

 

[natalie559]

You can unfortunatly never 'out grow' an allergy. The immune system has a great memory and will react forever. You can give immunization shots, but even those don't make the allergy go away and aren't appropriate for food allergies.

"Food allergen testing

The history and clinical signs of cutaneous adverse food reactions are often identical to those of atopic dermatitis, and a hypoallergenic food
trial is necessary to distinguish between the two diseases. In addition, some dogs with atopic dermatitis have concurrent cutaneous adverse
food reactions. Most laboratories offer food allergen panels for serum testing despite the fact that studies suggest allergen-specific IgE serology is not helpful in diagnosing cutaneous adverse food reactions.6,7 These tests also do not appear to be of value in determining which foods to avoid in a food trial. Thus, they should not be used in place of appropriate hypoallergenic elimination diet food trials."

http://www.alerchek.com/march_allergy_hiller_02.pdf

There is a great booklet, 'Allergy Problems', by Monica Segal that could guide you threw an elimination diet if you choose to go that route. http://www.monicasegal.com/catalog/product.php?cPath=25_26&products_id=72

Sometimes with very sensitive dogs and commercial dog foods they can react to something so seemingly innocent as the source of calcium. Homemade diets where you control all ingredients often work best for these dogs.

You could also be dealing with environmental triggers and that would compound your issue. Why do you think it is only food and not environmental? Have you ever tried a commercial hydrolyzed diet?

 

[mspiker03]

I am also going to second the home cooked or raw food elimination diet to test for food allergies. We did ours raw, but there is certainly nothing wrong with going the home cooked route.

 

[GSDgirlAL]

Natalie ... it very well could be an enviromental allergy, it's possible.

As far as her food, I have her on Natural Balance which I know she can have as she is not allergic to anything in that particular food but I'm wanting to retest her again b/c she is getting tired of the NB and my food options are limited with her. As far as a homemade diet, that is not in the cards right now.

So, basically its a waste of money to get her another test done?

 

[natalie559]

Originally Posted By: GSDgirlAL
As far as her food, I have her on Natural Balance which I know she can have as she is not allergic to anything in that particular food

So when you feed the natural balance- which type by the way?- there is no symptoms of allergy? No itching, etc.?

Originally Posted By: GSDgirlALbut I'm wanting to retest her again b/c she is getting tired of the NB and my food options are limited with her.

If the food you are feeding works then you need to just look for another with the same ingredients or you can add the same ingredients fresh in small portions to create interest.

The allergy testing, if reliable, would show the same allergens, if not more if you retest.

If you don't think the test is reliable and that there could be foods that showed up as an allergen that are not, then I would try 'proving' this with foods at home. I think part of the problem with food testing is that there is sometimes false positives and false negatives.

For example, if the NB food works, but the allergy test showed the dog was allergic to turkey, then to see whether there is a true turkey allergy feed a little turkey and see if there is a reaction. If there is, don't feed it again and wait a couple weeks before trying a new food. If there isn't you would know that turkey is safe and knowing this would provide you with more food options.

 

[GSDgirlAL]

I feed the Venison and Sweet Potato - she has always liked this food and done well on it but seems to be getting tired of it.

As far as the test being reliable, I have mixed feelings about it. Simply b/c she was tested so young and her results were off the charts ... I asked myself and still do for that matter ...
"how can she be allergic to all of that stuff?"

Thanks for the example I think I'm going to try that ... now the question is where in the heck do I start first!