My dog has allergies. How much do tests cost and what to ask vet?

Question

Hi how much will cost to do tests for my dog allergy and how I say that to my vet. Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed Large (61lb +) | Male | neutered | 7 years old | 106 lbs

Sarah Box, BVSc · Accepted Answer

I am so sorry to hear that Rio is having allergy issues. By allergy testing I assume you mean bloodwork? The price for this can vary significant depending on what tests are bing run and what company is used. The blood tests are also really only useful for environmental allergens such as grasses, pollens, mold etc. food allergies do not show up reliably on blood tests. There are certainly a number of inexpensive tests hour vet can perform on your dog though, to help determine if there are any complicating factors such as a skin or ear infection, or perhaps mange. A skin scraping, skin cytology and ear swabs/cytology are all things your vet may recommend. If your vet feels that Rio's issues are related to a food allergy they will discuss options with you and may recommend trying any number of prescription or other the counter foods. The important thing to remember when dealing with any allergy (and food allergies especially) is that response to treatment is not going to be immedieate, and the problem may not ever be fully resolved. A food trial can take 4-6 weeks before results are seen, and you may need to try a number of different types of food before finding one that is compatible with Rio's issues. Good luck, and I hope you are able to get Rio feeling better soon!

My dog has allergies. How much do tests cost and what to ask vet?

Most Helpful Answer

Related Questions

My male dog's penis is stuck out and his scrotum has a painful rash.

What fish dog food helps dry skin if my dog eats Science Diet?

Dog licking paws, fur loss, and jaw wound: Could it be allergies?

Is there a chart for dog food protein biological value and digestibility?

Why does my puppy have bloody, mucousy stools despite diet changes?

My dog rubs belly & scratches face, no fleas. Could it be allergies?

Share