Mary Allen
If the dog is plagued by itchy patches of skin or has inexplicable digestive problems, then it may be an allergy.
The civilization disease allergy does not stop at our dogs. And so more and more animals suffer from the unpleasant symptoms.
Unfortunately, it is not always easy to track down the cause of this allergy. An allergy test can help here. But how does it work and how much does it cost?
What is an allergy?
Everybody produces antibodies. This fights to invade foreign substances such as bacteria or viruses.
With an allergy, however, the immune system may get completely off track. Suddenly the dog’s organism attacks completely harmless environmental substances. The consequences are so-called allergies.
Then your dog can no longer tolerate the food that he has been eating for a long time without any problems. He has a very extreme reaction to fleas or mites.
Other dogs suffer from itchy patches of skin that become red from licking and eventually become inflamed.
In the case of food allergies, the symptoms can also be severe indigestion, which manifests itself in the form of flatulence, diarrhea, or vomiting.
Allergies always develop over a longer period and the dog can only become allergic to a substance with which it has had contact for some time.
Allergies cause itching
The most common allergies in dogs are:
- the flea allergy,
- the reaction to environmental allergens,
- followed by the food allergy
It is not always easy to find the triggering allergen. It is often a very long way before all, energy can be identified.
If your animal suffers from inexplicable itching, fleas, fungi, or mites should first be ruled out or treated, as triggers. If symptoms persist, the vet will test for organic diseases.
Liver, kidney, or thyroid disease can cause symptoms similar to those of an allergy. If the vet finds no clues, an allergy test may be advisable.
How does an allergy test work?
A blood test is carried out beforehand to show whether there are any allergens in the blood at all.
If this preliminary test is positive, it is tested for individual allergens. About five to seven values are required.
A skin test is carried out, which works in the same way as in humans.
The fur is shaved and the individual allergens are introduced into the skin. If the skin reacts, an allergy to the substance in question is likely.
Cost of an allergy test
The cost of this entire procedure can range
from 200 to 600 euros.
The price is always determined by the number of allergens that are tested for.
The allergy test is not always conclusive
However, the allergy test in dogs is not always as clear and precise as in humans. That’s why the tests are controversial.
It is often for you must write dog closely. If your dog shows symptoms of an allergy, you must write down the observations.
A journal can be very helpful here. Always write down exactly when the symptoms appear and what the animal came into contact with.
With a little patience, it is passion able to track down the allergen in this way. Flea allergies are relatively easy to spot, and environmental allergies require close observation.
Finding the allergen using the elimination diet
In the case of a food allergy, an allergy test is not recommended. An elimination diet is recommended here.
To do this, a type of protein that, the dog has never had contact with is mixed with a type of vegetable. Ostrich, kangaroo, or reindeer mixed with potatoes are ideal.
This food is given over several weeks.
After a short time, the dog’s symptoms should improve significantly. If this happens, after the recommended diet time, an ingredient is added to the feed th the animal is suspected to be allergic to.
Dogs often react to beef or grain. Again, close observation of the dog is very important.
As soon as symptoms appear, you have found the allergy trigger. This must then be avoided throughout the dog’s life.
As you can see, dog allergy tests are quite possible. However, the tests can be very expensive. And sometimes they are not even necessary.
Always weigh carefully whether an allergy test is effective.
Frequently Asked Question
How much does an allergy test for a dog at the vet cost?
The costs vary roughly between 100 euros and 300 euros. Unfortunately, it cannot be quantified more precisely. Dog owners are therefore best asked directly from their veterinarian for a specific cost framework.
How do I find out what my dog is allergic to?
Serological allergy test
Blood is drawn from the dog for a serological allergy test. This is sent to a special laboratory and examined. IgE antibodies against e.g. pollen, mold, house dust mites, etc. are then searched for in the dog’s blood.
How long does a dog allergy test take?
The blood test is very simple and straightforward and can be performed by any veterinarian. However, it takes a few days to get the results, and not quite as many allergens are tested as with the skin test. It is important to note that no group analyses should be carried out in the blood allergy test.
How meaningful is an allergy test in dogs?
Studies have confirmed the whole thing and it is assumed that an allergy test has a negative value of about 87% and the positive value is only 15%… which is quite little.
How does a dog have a food intolerance?
In dogs, food intolerances mainly show up through the skin. Itching, eczema, and open spots all over the body then occur. Bald spots in the dog’s coat can also indicate a food intolerance.
What are dogs most allergic to?
triggers of an allergy
A food allergy in dogs is most often triggered by certain dietary proteins (proteins) contained in dog food. Studies show that these are mostly proteins from cattle, soy, eggs, dairy products, or wheat.
What does a dog food allergy look like?
The symptoms of a food allergy in dogs range from itching to a rash to diarrhea or vomiting. Skin and coat problems can also be signs that your dog has a food allergy.
What is grain intolerance in a dog?
The majority of dogs with grain intolerance express this through itching and allergic dermatitis (skin inflammation). First, skin changes appear, accompanied by reddening of the skin and poplars.