VARL allergy Testing

VARL: Liquid Gold Allergy System Allergies in dogs and cats      

                         Most people are quite familiar with the classic symptoms resulting from allergies in humans like sneezing, runny nose wheezing etc. In dogs and cats the symptoms are different, and about 1 out of 10 pets will be effected. Common signs in dogs and cats are:

1) itching

2) Rubbing                             

3) Licking

4) chewing

                      The scratching and itching that come from allergies are always more intense than normal and may lead to varying degrees of hair loss and rashes. The rashes most of the time represent infection. In rare cases, vomiting and or diarrhea may be present especially if the dog or cat suffers from food allergies. Sometimes allergic cats and dogs will have no symptoms other than asthma. Some will show hayfever-like symptoms like sneezing, watery eyes, and a runny nose. In a good number of cats, skin lesions without itching are the only clinical signs of allergy. While approx 40% of skin irritations in dogs or cats are allergy- related, it must be kept in mind that not all are related to allergies. It is important that your pets skin problem be accurately diagnosed so that proper treatments cn be administered. You veterinarian should be consulted when your dog or cat shows signs of a skin issue.

   Skin allergies and infection on tail.

                    Finding out the cause of the allergies in a dog or cat can be tricky. One method that can be used to find out what substances your pet would react to is by skin testing. It involves having an area on the pet and skillfully injecting extracts from suspected allergins under the skin of the dog or cat. With a half hour, a wheal (round bump) and erythemia (reddening) will form on the skin from each extract to which the pet is allergic. The other method is your veterinarian taking a small sample of blood from your pet and send it to Veterinary Allergy Reference Laboratory for a completeLiquid Gold allergy blood test. The blood test will identify the different allergic substances that are responsible for you pet's allergies. The VARL allergy test searches for and identifies each of those special allergy- producing antibodies that may be present in the blood.

                     Treating the allergies can consist of a few different things. First the cat or dog should always be on a flea and tick prevention. Removing foods that have been identified as an allergy to your pet also. Allergies that are due to pollun, mold, and dander are almost impossible to avoid. Cortisteroids and antihistamines can be valuable in temporary releiving symptoms but should not ben used longeterm becasue there are serious systemic side effects. The most practical and clinically preferred form of treatment when your dog or cat is diagnose with allergies is hyposensitization. Your dog or cat can be rendered immune to the various substances detected by the Liquid Gold allergy blood test. This is achieved by vaccinating your pet against the identified substances, much like children are vaccinated against childhood disease. The major difference is that allergy hyposensitization takes a longer time- up to 6-9 months, or longer in certain cases. Approxamately 60% of pets hyposensitized will be controlled without the need for any corisone. An additional 20% pf the pets are helped by hyposensitization but may need further steriod drugsduring the worst of the allrgy season( at much olower doses). If you suspect that your dog or cat has allergies see your veterinarian so they can start to feel better as soon as possible.