I know [MENTION=2242]karenben[/MENTION] has had this done and I was reading the other posts. Has anyone had this done since those posts in May? I'm really considering it.
I recently went to a specialist (dermatologist) for Tonka's allergies. I asked him about these hair tests and he told me these are not accurate tests. He said when we have an allergic reaction, the antibodys or what causes the reaction is in the SKIN. He said blood tests are not even fully accurate as we have some antibodys that can show reactions but that for the most part it's what's in the skin. Hair is even less than blood tests in the way of accuracy. I hate to say that as I know people have had the hair tests done and I myself had the blood test done through my regular vet but I just want to pass on what I was told. It really does make sense when you think of where you see the symptoms in your dog and even in ourselves when we have allergies...in the skin.
Also, you can get a SKIN allergy test done at any age. My dermatologist told us this as well...you do not have to wait until the dog is one year old for that. In fact, if you are going to get the test in order to try the allergy shots, the younger the better to get them started on desensitizing them and preventing further allergy issues when they are older. Our derm told us that thinking you have to wait til they are one year old is a misconception. We went to see Dr. Mckeever of McKeever Dermatology clinics. He has years of experience and is based out of MN but travels here to WI and other states to help out and see patients.
@Lily122511 I am so sorry to hear about Lily's bad reaction!! I hope she's OK. I know you already got the hair test done but please be cautious with interpreting those results as reactions don't occur in the hair and allergies don't present themselves accurately there. Have you thought about getting a skin panel done? It told us a lot about Tonka that the blood test didn't (I will have a post on it when I have a chance).
I recently went to a specialist (dermatologist) for Tonka's allergies. I asked him about these hair tests and he told me these are not accurate tests. He said when we have an allergic reaction, the antibodys or what causes the reaction is in the SKIN. He said blood tests are not even fully accurate as we have some antibodys that can show reactions but that for the most part it's what's in the skin. Hair is even less than blood tests in the way of accuracy. I hate to say that as I know people have had the hair tests done and I myself had the blood test done through my regular vet but I just want to pass on what I was told. It really does make sense when you think of where you see the symptoms in your dog and even in ourselves when we have allergies...in the skin.
Also, you can get a SKIN allergy test done at any age. My dermatologist told us this as well...you do not have to wait until the dog is one year old for that. In fact, if you are going to get the test in order to try the allergy shots, the younger the better to get them started on desensitizing them and preventing further allergy issues when they are older. Our derm told us that thinking you have to wait til they are one year old is a misconception. We went to see Dr. Mckeever of McKeever Dermatology clinics. He has years of experience and is based out of MN but travels here to WI and other states to help out and see patients.
[MENTION=4450]Lily122511[/MENTION] I am so sorry to hear about Lily's bad reaction!! I hope she's OK. I know you already got the hair test done but please be cautious with interpreting those results as reactions don't occur in the hair and allergies don't present themselves accurately there. Have you thought about getting a skin panel done? It told us a lot about Tonka that the blood test didn't (I will have a post on it when I have a chance).
hon thats why its so hard as it can be either. most bullies have both to some degree. i am going to do the hair thing on my boston and see what it says. they also do people@desertskybulldogs
Does this mean that her allergies are probably due to food allergies and not environmental allergies?
She is under a year. Almost 6 months.
I am totally in the dark here....
hon thats why its so hard as it can be either. most bullies have both to some degree. i am going to do the hair thing on my boston and see what it says. they also do people
[MENTION=2]desertskybulldogs[/MENTION]
Does this mean that her allergies are probably due to food allergies and not environmental allergies?
She is under a year. Almost 6 months.
I am totally in the dark here....
We are hoping to build an immunity with the allergy shots so that he no longer has reactions to some of the strongest environmental allergens out there. I sure hope they work for Tonka! Our dermatologist told us that most allergies in dogs are environmental and that food allergies are only responsible for a small percentage of allergies in dogs. He said that everyone thinks the food is the primary issues and that's a misconception among dog owners. However, the food can seem like the issue if the dog is allergic to something in the way the food is processed or handled as well. For instance, Tonka is allergic to the "dust" that is from the grains used in dog foods so he is on a grain free food. I never even thought of that, so that was eye opening. The skin test the vet gave us is strictly environmental since for food allergy testing they just do food trials. I think food can seem like the culprit more than it actually is although i'm sure many dogs do have some sensitivity to the ingredients in the foods themselves and not just the processing etc. I really hope the hair test can at least give you some ideas or a place to start, [MENTION=4450]Lily122511[/MENTION]!
When Annie started itching at 12 months old which is usually the age allergies appear she was on a high quality kibble,I thought it was the kibble I never thought about allergies as I had never owned a bulldog with any problems let alone constant itching,I started raw feeding so I knew what she was eating she got a very well balanced diet with all proteins,but still itched,I had the holistic test done as it tested for more allergens than the vet test,it's a very good test,allergy shots do sometimes work but unfortunately once a dog gets an allergy it usually goes on to develope different allergies,they cannot be cured I'm talking about environmental not food,food at times can be an easy problem to fix by simply trying different foods ,the hair test picked up 37 allergens in my bulldog and the vet said how extensive it was ,I believe that if annies allergies were food and perhaps a couple of environmental then she would still be here but she just had too many for her body and mind to deal with,so yes I would go with the holistic hair testing it's cheap and very accurate,karen