[ChancetheGSD]

I really don't know much about this so any information on it would be GREAT!

But one thing I'm wondering is how you go about getting test done to see what your dogs are allergic to? Can a normal vet do it or do you have to have some special vet test for it? Do you have to send it off somewhere for results? I don't even know where to start to find information, Google seems to not want to give me what I'm looking for. But I'd love to have Chance tested because nothing seems keep him from itching. (And he doesn't have fleas) I know someone on here I believe it was? Had their dog tested for enviorment allergies or w/e. Would be interested in some info on that as well to make sure he's not itching due to the grass or something.

But yeah, I'm very interested in any information you guys can give me about this. I think it'd be well worth the money even if it ends up being expencive.

 

[LJsMom]

Lady Jane had serum allergy testing done. The cost is approximately $300 for both food and environmental. Our regular vet did the blood draw, I filled out some forms, and they sent it out.

http://www.heska.com/allercept/issues.asp#issue

http://www.vetallergy.com/pages/testingpanels.html

 

[Skye'sMom]

Skye's test was by Heska. The vet drew blood and sent it out to Heska - I had the results in less than a week and the serum in two.

The cost was about $200 but that was almost 3 years ago.

I give shots about once a month now. I call the vet when I getting low on serum and they let me know when it is in.

 

[ChancetheGSD]

Thanks!

Shots? How much are those? Would it be a life long thing or just something he takes over a certain period of time and then it's over? I'd really like to get the test done and $200-$300 doesn't sound too bad.

It says fish mix on the list, does that mean it test for different types? Because I believe Chance to be allergic to salmon.

 

[Skye'sMom]

sorry - I confused you. Skye's allergies are environmental (dust mites and leaf mold) but she has no food allergies.

If you get back info that the allergies are food related, you can avoid those foods. Depending on the food, it may easy or difficult to avoid.

Since Skye can't avoid dust mites (try as I might, my house will never be dust free) she takes shots for her allergies. I order her serum and I give her the shots myself (my vet taught me and yes, you could do it if you have to for your dog. I found that out.

)

Originally Skye had shots every foiew days and gradually the amount of she got more serum in each shot and shots further apart until we settled in at once a month. Her serum is about $80 a bottle and it lasts several months - about 10 or so.

I'm sorry I wasn't clear.

If your tests do show food allergies, no serum for you and no shots.

 

[LJsMom]

Originally Posted By: Chance's MomIt says fish mix on the list, does that mean it test for different types? Because I believe Chance to be allergic to salmon.

According to Spectrum Labs, fish mix is catfish, cod, herring, mackerel, and whitefish. Poultry mix is chicken and turkey.

 

[mspiker03]

The best way to test for food allergies is to do a homecooked or raw food elimination diet.

We had Levi tested for environmental allergies (VARL test, I belive). It was the blood test and we got results in a week or so (can't remember, it has been ages ago). The allergy shots, didn't seem to work for us, so we have since stopped them (NOT saying this will be the case for everyone). We ended up doing a raw food elimination diet, and saw results in 3 weeks! Have had to tweak things since we did our initial elimination diet.

Allergy shots are life-long. I remember our serum was more than $80...I don't recall the exact amount anymore (I'm 90% positive it was over $100).

 

[LisaT]

We had testing done through a VARL (food and environmental) test, and it was a lifesaver.
http://www.varlallergy.com/

I don't give allergy shots, but it helped figure out what to feed my girl.

I tried to get the vet to test Max when I first got him, but he wouldn't because he didn't see the right symptoms (aargh). Now that I'm no longer with that vet, I can't find a way to get a test done through the same place