Intradermal Allergy Testing Dog

Intradermal skin testing or rast testing.

Intradermal allergy testing dog.

After a few hours the skin patterns are observed to see which antigens caused a reaction. Allergy testing in dogs can be performed using two techniques. Each method has its own pros and cons. While intradermal skin testing has long been regarded as the gold standard in determining the cause of atopic dermatitis it is only performed by veterinary dermatologists.

Most reactions will occur within minutes although you ll likely need to bring your pet back in for further examination several hours later or the next day. A patch of the dog s skin is shaved so antigens can be inserted into the skin. The process of intradermal skin testing involves sedating the dog first. At the present time the only reliable way to diagnose allergies pollen dust etc in dogs and cats is through intradermal allergy testing commonly called skin testing.

Although allergy blood tests for dogs and cats are commercially available they are not recommended due to their less accurate results. Feline atopy non flea non food allergic dermatitis follows similar principles of diagnosis. Though blood tests are more common intradermal skin tests are considered the gold standard in allergy testing. Value of intradermal skin tests.

Your vet will then apply several different allergens via syringe into the layer below the surface of his skin. Intradermal allergy skin testing allows us to pinpoint the exact nature of your pet s allergies and more importantly provides the information necessary to custom formulate an allergy.