Pet Advice

If you’re worried that your cat or dog may be suffering from an allergy, it’s a good idea to head to your vet to complete a pet allergy test kit. Common allergy symptoms in pets may include:

• Excessive itching and scratching of the skin
• Skin rashes (especially on the feet, ears, bottom, belly, and face)
• Patches of fur loss
• Licking or biting a particular area for long periods (saliva can cause brown staining on the fur)
• Itchy eyes
• Runny nose
• Mood changes
• Scabby or sore skin

A cat or dog allergy test can be very effective in identifying the underlying cause of allergy symptoms and helping to diagnose atopic dermatitis (a skin condition typically caused by inhalation of pollen, mould spores, dust and other allergens) but is less reliable for food allergies.

Allergy testing is carried out mainly in patients with atopic dermatitis to decide which specific pet allergens to include in immunotherapy. Before a diagnosis of atopy can be made, things like parasites, skin infection and other potential causes of itching and inflammation symptoms must be ruled out.

The most common allergy in pets is a flea allergy. Many atopic pets may suffer from a combination of flea, environmental and food allergies.

Serological (blood) testing

This involves testing the blood, looking for allergen–specific antibodies (IgE) which react to a number of common allergens, expected to contribute to atopic dermatitis. This is a convenient, simple pet allergy test that can lead to good results in some cases. However, it is not considered to be as accurate as intradermal skin testing.

Intradermal skin testing (IDST)

This is considered the gold standard of pet allergy testing amongst veterinary dermatologists. The test involves clipping the hair on the side of your pet’s chest and giving multiple (40-60) small allergen injections into the skin. If your pet reacts to an allergen, a hive will develop at the injection site. Pets will usually need to be sedated for intradermal skin testing.

As a rule, a good approach to treating pets with allergies includes:

• Regular treatment with a parasite control medicine
• Following a special hypoallergenic diet
• Allergy testing
• Avoidance (where possible) of allergens – such as particular plants or chemicals
• Treatment – e.g., immunotherapy or medication to control symptoms

As part of testing for an allergy, your vet will likely suggest carrying out an elimination diet for your pet. This will involve feeding your pet an alternative diet (usually called a hydrolysed protein diet), which cuts out likely allergens. Then, after the dietary exclusion period, you’ll start reintroducing ‘normal’ foods – it should be obvious from these test results which (if any) foods trigger allergic reactions in your pet.

Please note that while simply avoiding known allergens may help to reduce symptoms, it’s often unlikely to completely resolve them. Therefore, an additional form of treatment (e.g. medication) is usually required too.

Once you’ve identified the cause of the allergy symptoms, you may be able to make some changes to try and cause a significant improvement in your pet’s comfort. For example, if allergens like dander or dust are identified, you may be able to clean your cat’s litter box or the dog basket more regularly to help. Additionally, switching food to help your dog’s diet can sometimes ease symptoms, but make sure you check with your vet first.

Intradermal Skin Testing

Some pet allergy cases may need to be referred to a specialist dermatologist for an intradermal skin test. The costs for this will be significantly higher, usually requiring a consultation prior to testing. During your consultation, you’ll be given a detailed estimate of the cost. This will vary depending on the size of your pet and whether sedation is required.

Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy involves regular injections of a very low dose of the allergens to desensitise your pet to the things they’re having an allergic response to. This will be a long-term requirement, often taking 6-12 months to see a positive effect. Pets often need to stay on medication during this time to control any symptoms of their allergy. Many pets (approximately 70%) respond favourably to treatment. Immunotherapy costs in the region of £150-180 per vial, depending on the number of allergens included in the treatment. A vial will typically last for around 6 months.

Pet insurance may help to pay for allergy testing, if it’s recommended by your vet as the best treatment (for example if your pet is suffering from itchy skin). However, all policies vary in what they cover and what exclusions are in place. We recommend checking your policy and speaking with your insurance company to check you are covered before proceeding with the tests.