Ava at the Allergist!

[Stacy]

Some people wanted to hear how the appointment with the dermatologist went. This got long! My little summaries are not so little.

 

So we’re home from the dermatologist! I feel like I was exceptionally well prepared for this visit, after everything I’ve read and the really great resources here. There wasn’t a lot that the vet had to say that surprised me.  I’m just going to give a little summary of the visit and the plan going forward.

 

Food allergies: Food allergies are comparatively rare, and you can’t test for food sensitivities with skin testing. We could do a food trial – either alone or consecutively or concurrently with intradermal testing. She recommends the food trial for at least 6 weeks and she recommends prescription food during that time. I suggested one of the limited ingredient formulas that are on the recommended food list. But she said testing on those shows cross contamination and for at least the first 6 weeks she likes to do the prescription formula. I didn’t ask which prescription diet – I know that some are better than others, but I opted not to go that route at this time, because I really feel like we are dealing with environmental allergies.

 

I do wonder if I should change their food up a little. They haven’t ever had the pork and applesauce or the duck and sweet potato. The salmon gave Katie gas… But on the other hand, sometimes I think when you start changing everything you create so many variables that you can’t tell what is actually helping. So maybe I will leave their food alone for now.

 

Environmental allergies/intradermal testing/immunotherapy:  She needs to be off meds for about 3 weeks before testing. Testing is done under light sedation and reversed afterwards. Approximately 65 allergens are tested. They make their own antigens and you go home with them the same day. The majority of dogs see improvement with immunotherapy, but it takes weeks – months to build immunity to the allergens.

 

She gave me the choice of doing injections about every two weeks (once we get to the maintenance phase) or doing a liquid drop daily. I asked which was more effective and she said that they were the same (I still have a hard time believing that the injection isn’t at least a tiny bit more effective) The cost is the same. But there is a convenience factor to not having to do it daily. Or a convenience factor not having to give them a shot, if that’s an issue. I opted to do injections, so we’ll see how that goes. Ava has an appointment to have the testing done on Feb. 10^th.

 

We talked about Apoquel, and she seemed to think it was safe, although it’s only been out for about 3 years, so long term is still hard to say. I did agree that it was probably okay short term. My goal is to keep her off medicine with harmful side effects as much as possible. But for some reason Apoquel is exempt from the no medication before testing rule. I didn’t ask why. So they sent me home with Apoquel for the next two weeks before testing. 16mg/day either daily or divided into morning and evening doses. (Ava weighed 60 pounds today) Then as we are waiting for the allergy shots to work we can continue to use it as needed, or not.

 

They did smears of her ears and her feet and determined that she doesn’t have an ear or skin infection. So that’s good. I worry about her stinky ears, but they said they look really good. And I clean them regularly. So I guess she is just going to have kind of stinky ears.  

 

Today’s visit was the exam, cytology, and apoquel and the total was $185.00

 

The estimate for the allergy testing  is $515.00. That includes the first set of antigens that she said should last 4 – 6 months.

 

I feel like this is a really good first step toward getting Ava’s itchy feet under control. It’s just got to be a miserable way for her live.

 

I’m very pleased with our dermatology experience!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I don't see any problem with switching her to one of the LID foods on our recommended brands list. Something with a low Omega 6:3 ratio. It can't hurt. Even though the odds are that it's environmental allergens causing the problem, it's possible to have both Atopy and food allergies, and it's also possible that she's one of the 10% who does. :)

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Thank you so much for getting back to us. Your summary was clear and concise for those of us with no experience with skin testing and allergies.  The prices you quoted seem reasonable for what you got/are getting.  I so hope you find the 'culprits' that set Ava off and that the injections give her relief long-term.

[Stacy]

Thank you so much! I hope we find the answers and are able to fix Ava. And I hope you continue not to have any experience with skin testing and allergies! It's kind of the pits. But she's worth the effort.