| 1) | How are skin infections (yeast and bacteria) related to allergies? |
| 2) | What if my pet has a skin problem but my Veterinarian or I don't think it is allergy related? |
| 3) | How is food allergy diagnosed? |
| 4) | How do we perform allergy testing on pets? |
| 5) | How long until my pet starts responding to the allergy shots? What do I do about the itchiness and skin disease until then? |
| 6) | How long will the allergy shots be needed? |
| 7) | What is the routine recheck schedule for my pet?
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| 1) | How are skin infections (yeast and bacteria) related to allergies?
In a pet that has allergies, there are several factors that predispose them to breaking out with an infection. These include chemical imbalance at the level of the skin, altered immune function at the skin level, and self-trauma (itching, biting, scratching, licking). The yeast and bacteria that are normally found in low numbers on all dogs grow out of control in dogs with allergies for all of the above reasons.
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| 2) | What if my pet has a skin problem but my Veterinarian or I don't think it is allergy related?
There are many skin diseases in addition to allergies that veterinary dermatologists diagnose and treat. These range from internal metabolic diseases like hypothyroidism and Cushings disease, to autoimmune diseases to skin cancer. An initial evaluation with one of our doctors will provide you with a complete list of possible diagnoses of these types of diseases for your pet. These types of diseases are diagnosed with a biopsy and/or bloodwork. A biopsy is a procedure, where a small piece of skin is taken and sent to a special pathologist for evaluation.
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| 3) | How is food allergy diagnosed?
There is no easy way (like a skin or blood test) that is reliable to diagnose food allergy. The only way to diagnose food allergy is to perform a dietary food trial with a new, novel prescription diet for a period of 6-12 weeks. The choice of what food to use in this process is very important and the doctor will ask you questions during this selection process in order to make the appropriate decision about what food to use. It is also very important that your pet not receive any other food, treat, rawhide, flavored medication, etc. during this food trial.
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| 4) | How do we perform allergy testing on pets?
A sedation or general anesthesia protocol will be used for each pet, depending on their age and health status, so they are relaxed during the testing. The most accurate test for determining a pet’s allergies is to do an intradermal skin test where small amounts of each allergen (pollen, dust, etc.) is injected into the superficial layer of skin. The reaction that forms is like a small hive. The level of that reaction is compared to a positive and negative control. The complete test takes about 20-30 minutes. Once this testing is complete an allergy serum induction will be formulated that is specific for your pet’s reactions on the skin test. The allergy serum will then be used to help control your pet’s allergies.
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| 5) | How long until my pet starts responding to the allergy shots? What do I do about the itchiness and skin disease until then?
A positive response to allergy shots can often be observed as early as 4 weeks, however benefit may not occur until 8-12 months after starting injections. Because of this variability it is important that you commit to allergy shots for at least one year. This time period will utilize the original induction allergen vials and at least 1 or 2 maintenance vials. Until the itchiness is resolved, additional therapy may be needed: antihistamines and/or corticosteroids for itchiness or antibiotics and anti-yeast medications for the secondary infections.
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| 6) | How long will the allergy shots be needed?
Allergy shots need to be given for at least one year to evaluate their usefulness in controlling your pet’s allergic skin disease. Once full response is established and your pet’s symptoms have been well controlled, the frequency of allergy shots or amount given can gradually be reduced with our guidance. Approximately 15-20 percent of pets can eventually be weaned off allergy shots.
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| 7) | What is the routine recheck schedule for my pet?
For pets that are responding well to allergy shots the minimum recheck schedule is 2, 6, and 12 months after starting allergy shots and yearly thereafter.
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