Do vets recommend allergy tests for dogs?

Understanding Veterinary Recommendations on Allergy Testing for Dogs

Dog allergies can manifest in various uncomfortable ways—from persistent itching and irritated skin to recurrent ear infections and digestive issues. To manage these conditions effectively, many pet owners turn to allergy testing. But do veterinarians recommend allergy tests for dogs? The answer is not a simple yes or no; it's conditional based on a confirmed clinical diagnosis and the type of test under consideration.

When Do Vets Recommend Allergy Testing?

Veterinarians typically recommend allergy testing for dogs only after a clinical diagnosis of atopic dermatitis, which refers to environmental allergies. This ensures that allergy-like symptoms aren’t caused by other issues such as parasites, bacterial or fungal infections, and fleas.

Key circumstances when allergy testing is helpful:

• To identify specific allergens that trigger symptoms
• To guide allergen-specific immunotherapy such as allergy shots or drops
• When symptomatic treatment fails or is insufficient

Notably, allergy testing is not used to confirm the presence of an allergy but to determine the allergens involved once an allergy has been clinically diagnosed.

Types of Allergy Testing Vets May Recommend

There are several allergy testing methods available, each with advantages and limitations.

1. Intradermal Skin Testing (IDAT)

Often called the gold standard for diagnosing environmental allergies, intradermal testing involves injecting small amounts of allergens into a shaved area on your dog’s skin. The test is performed under sedation and results are interpreted in 15–30 minutes based on the formation of wheals (hives).

Pros:

• High specificity and reliability
• Performed by specialist veterinary dermatologists

Cons:

• Requires sedation
• Medications like steroids must be withdrawn beforehand

2. Serum (Blood) Allergy Testing

This method measures allergen-specific IgE antibodies in the blood. A sample is sent to a laboratory to detect sensitivities to environmental allergens.

Pros:

• Less invasive and widely available
• Can often be conducted without altering medications

Cons:

• May yield false positives due to cross-reactive carbohydrate determinants (CCDs)
• Less accurate than IDAT, especially for food allergies

3. Food Allergy Testing Through Elimination Diets

Unfortunately, no blood, saliva, or hair test currently provides a reliable diagnosis for food allergies. The only validated method involves an elimination diet trial.

This process includes:

1. Feeding a novel or hydrolyzed protein diet for 6–12 weeks
2. Strictly avoiding all other foods and treats
3. Reintroducing old foods to see if symptoms return (challenge phase)

Allergy Tests Not Recommended by Vets

At-home kits that analyze hair, fur, or saliva are widely available but lack scientific credibility. Studies show these tests can produce 'positive' results even from healthy or synthetic samples.

Why these are unreliable:

• Hair and saliva do not contain antibodies required for accurate diagnosis
• Results are inconsistent and often unrelated to clinical signs

Indications and Limitations

Vets consider the following before recommending allergy testing:

• Age: Puppies under one year may not be suitable candidates
• Medication status: Some drugs need to be stopped before testing
• Health status: Dogs with infections or other health concerns may not tolerate testing procedures well

Limitations include:

• Test results require expert interpretation
• Allergies cannot be diagnosed solely by test outcomes
• Even non-allergic dogs may show positive reactions

Role of Allergy Testing in Treatment

Once specific allergens are identified, vets can offer allergen-specific immunotherapy (ASIT), which gradually desensitizes the immune system to problematic substances.

This treatment comes in two forms:

• Injections (allergy shots)
• Sublingual drops (placed under the tongue)

ASIT often reduces or eliminates the need for long-term medication, significantly improving the dog’s quality of life.

Common Allergens for Dogs

Some of the most common allergens include:

• Flea saliva
• House dust mites
• Pollens from trees, grasses, and weeds
• Molds
• Food proteins (most often)

Costs and Logistics

Allergy testing costs vary but usually fall between $200 and $500. Elimination diet trials also incur expenses for specialized foods and take several months to complete.

Final Takeaway

Veterinarians do recommend allergy testing for dogs—under specific conditions. The right type of test, interpreted by a skilled professional, can help manage chronic allergies and improve your dog’s health. Always consult your veterinarian to discuss symptoms and appropriate testing options tailored to your dog’s needs.