With all of the allergy talk....cost of test? how's it done?
Submitted by RARett on September 29, 2011 - 10:32amEverything I read is 'Allergies' 'Allergies' 'Allergies' -
I would like to be preventive, vice reactive - What is the approximate cost of the allergy test? How is it done? (I've seen 'Blood tests' talked about) is this the preferred method?
Gizmo is doing real well as far as I can tell. She does have the seasonal..(what is that called when the hair falls out around the flanks, apeachia? (sorry my spelling is HORRIBLE)
She tends to roll around on the outdoor carpet when we let her out, so it seems she either likes it, or has an itch that she can't reach.
The last week or 2 she's been licking at her paws - alot. I've looked at her paws, they dont seem to have any problems that I can tell (but what would I look for? that isnt obvious? I'm not seeing anything swollen or red, no fluid discharges or anything)
She is currently on "Blue Buffalo Lamb and Brown Rice" as she seemed to lose interest in 'IAMS Mini Chunks ProActive Health' We are at about week 4 of the 'change over' the next bag we buy it'll be all Blue Buffalo Lamb, right now its probably at a 3-1 ratio of new to old food
Her treats are Milkbones (let me guess... bad idea?)
any suggestions / info greatly appreciated :)
Rick
Last steps taken May 26, 2014 -- Been rolling along ever since . . . .
allergies
Winston has never been "formally" tested for a specific allergy because we were able to figure out that his problem is seasonal (and *knock on wood* not so much food or environmental). My feeling sort of is I don't want to pay for the test because I don't really care (right now) WHAT pollen he's allergic to, just that he's clearly allergic. I think if he had not responded so well to the treatment my vet prescribed I would have had the full blown test done to get to the bottom of the situation.
His ongoing "treatment" is one non-brand name Claritin daily and in the peak of the seasons (primarily spring, but also fall) I make sure to clean his paws and wrinkles daily (with a hypo-allergenic baby wipe) and clean his ears pretty regularly. He does get baths more frequently too, about every 6 weeks (versus the every 3-4 months routine in the summer and winter) just because I'm more of a "preventative" versus "reactive" type of person. And if he has a really bad flare up he gets a couple days of Benadryl in addition to the Claritin.
The feet licking makes me she might be a bit itchy. If you aren't seeing anything obviously "stuck" in her paw, no red bumps/welts, and nothing is oozing or weeping she's probably ok. Is the fur between her toes and inside her paw discolored in anyway, like a reddish brown, or (and this will sound weird) do her feet smell like Fritos? IF she's got either or both going on she might have excessive yeast growth going on and that can be handled with regularly cleaning her paws and, if it's persistent, using vagisil wipes to knock out the yeast.
Sorry...I guess this doesn't really answer your questions...but I did want to relay my experience with allergies. I hope it at least helps. :)
PS...I give Winston milkbones and he freaking LOVES them (about more than anything that isn't meat at least)...so while they're probably not the greatest treat to give I say that if they aren't causing problems they're fine in moderation. :)
Shannon and Winston :)
My swimming bully buddy!
Allergy Prevention
I personally wouldn't jump into allergy prevention unless you are having an allergy issue. If the coat is good, not ichy then stick with what is working. The foot licking is a sign of allergy issues...but it could be contact allergies with the grass, dirt, etc and have nothing to do with food.
Food can be a big tigger and IMO Iams is not a great food...but some of the best most expensive grain free foods won't work on your dog and someone elses dog will dog great on it. After 4 weeks you can dump the Iams. It will be another 6 weeks on the Blue Buffalo to really tell how its working, unless you have immediate bad reactions, but Blue Buffalo is a good food. It is a lot of trial and error finding the best fit for your dog.
I personally stay away from Milkbones, even treats can trigger the slighest allergy issues. I used to feed the Old Mother Hubbard treats with great success...but the last big box I wasn't too happy with so now I stick with the Wetnoses dog treats. They are a local company and I love supporting small local companies that have a great product.