Diagnosing allergy
A proper allergy diagnosis requires a thorough physical examination including a complete clinical history. Clinical skills and experience help to differentiate between pets with allergies and pets with itchy skin caused by other issues. All other known causes of itching should be ruled out before a pet is diagnosed with allergy. When other symptom triggers are ruled out, allergy testing should be the next diagnostic step.
The anamnesis should also include an understanding of the pets sleeping area (floor covering, pillows, blankets, etc.), its food (food allergy), the presence of other animals and the vegetation in the patient’s indoor and outdoor environment. The effect of previously prescribed treatments may also generate valuable information.
Identifying the cause of allergies
Allergy tests help to identify allergic triggers and to put in place a successful allergy treatment for the patient. There are two kinds of allergy tests available: a serum test and a skin test. Your veterinarian will guide you regarding which test to use.
- Fast, specific and reliable results
- Suitable for dogs, cats and horses
- Industry-leading turnaround time for serum test – results available within 2 business days after arrival to our laboratory
- 100% accuracy between screening test and detailed allergy panel results
- Panels designed for specific regions including malassezia and flea
- Recommendation for custom-made allergen-specific immunotherapy treatment
- Free, world-class support with our veterinary allergy experts
Alergovet Serum Test
The Alergovet Serological Test identifies a wide range of environmental and food allergens. The environmental panels vary between countries / regions and contain allergens that are clinically relevant and characteristic of these specific areas (including fleas and Malassezia).
Allergy tests help to identify allergic triggers and to put in place a successful allergy treatment for the patient. Our serological tests are innovative and at the forefront with respect to sensitivity and specificity
Artuvetrin Skin Test
The Artuvetrin Skin Test helps veterinarians determine which substances a dog is allergic to. The test works by injecting small amounts of select allergens in the dog’s skin. Subsequently, it is possible to evaluate whether or not a local reaction develops at the site of the injection.
Based on the clinical history of the patient it is possible to perform a skin test with the most relevant allergens. We have about 80 different allergens available for skin testing.