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 |  | Hypoallergenic Foods: $22-$66 |  | Skin Testing: $195-$250 |  | Blood Testing: $200-$300 |
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Just like humans, cats and dogs can have environmental or food allergies. Testing for such allergies is done via blood work or skin testing.
Typical costs: | - Blood testing, which is more convenient than skin testing, costs $200 to $300. It's more convenient, and therefore more common, because any general veterinarian can take blood and then send it to a lab for diagnostic work.
- Skin testing involves pricking the skin and introducing a possible allergen to see if the skin reacts. Skin testing is more precise than blood testing and could cost less than blood work. Prices range from $195 to $250. Some general veterinarians can conduct the skin test, too, but generally a pet dermatologist does this.
- Owners suspecting a food allergy may opt to try an elimination diet. This is an effort to pin down what an animal is allergic to by isolating ingredients in the dog or cat's diet. Along with being time consuming, this can be costly, with hypoallergenic foods costing from $28 to $66 for dry dog food and $22 to $37 for dry cat food. This process requires a 12-week supply of hypoallergenic food, which is available online at RXPetFood.com[1] or National PetPharmacy.com[2] , as well as at local pet store such as PETCO[3] or PetSmart[4] .
Related articles: Cat Vaccination, Dog Vaccination, Heartworm Treatment, Lyme Disease Treatment for Dogs, Dog Pancreatitis Treatment, Pet Insurance
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What should be included: | - The most common symptom of both environmental or food allergies is intense itching; other symptoms include rashes, eye discharge and hair loss.
- The ASPCA[5] summarizes allergy symptoms and treatments.
- If you opt to try an elimination diet, you'll need patience. While on this elimination diet, your dog won't be allowed to have any other food, including treats and table scraps. The elimination diet may be performed in conjunction with other allergy testing, such as while you're waiting for lab test results from blood work.
Additional costs: | - As allergies progress, infections can result. These can be treated with antibiotics, which can cost between $30 and $50.
- Allergy treatments can be as simple as antihistamines, which cost around $10 over-the-counter, or as complicated as a monthly vaccine, a seven-month supply of which costs between $65 and $185.
Shopping for pet allergy testing: | - Ask your veterinarian how often they do skin testing for allergies. A veterinarian with a general clinic might not regularly administer the test, and therefore may not know precisely what to look for in a skin test. A general vet might recommend a veterinary dermatologist who specializes in skin disorders.
- For a list of recommended hypoallergenic pet foods, ask your veterinarian or, for dogs, visit the hypoallergenic dogfood blog[6] . For cats, search "hypoallergenic" at CatFoodReviews.com[7] .
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What People Are Paying - Recent Comments |
| Posted by: Tr1500 in Kansas City, KS. | Posted: September 11th, 2018 07:09AM |
| Method: Intradermal |
Omaha, Ne 1 vet dermatologist quoted $2100 up (300 office visit, 1800 for testing, etc)
Drove to Kansas city, 695 includes office visist, testing, and medicatio |
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| Posted by: KittyCat in Iowa City, IA. | Posted: October 14th, 2015 01:10PM |
Included testing ($730) and 6 months of allergy shots ($270) |
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| Posted by: StephenGOO in Chicago, IL. | Posted: November 22nd, 2011 09:11AM |
| Method: Shampoo, Topicals, FOODs, Med\'s & Shots |
Frustration = An Itchy DOG.rnrn85% Itchy DOGs = Allergy to Pollens, Dust Mites & Molds.rnrnAllergies = A Mis-Wired Immune System that can Only be ReCaliberated via Immuno-Allergy Shots or Sublingual GOO.rnrnCanine Allergy =Paw Chewing, constant Itching, Licking, Skin& Ear Issues and Big Vet $$ Bills !rnrnAllergy begins at Birth, is a Progressive, Cumulative Disease that sets into Motion a Lifetime Slippery Slope of multiple “Allergy Driven” Diseases and compromised Quality of Life for Pet & Pet Parent.rnrnSuggest 100% Natural, DVM Dermatologist Formulated Sublingual Doggy GOO …rnrnYou will See the GOO difference in your Dog. |
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External Resources: | - www.RXPetFood.com
- www.nationalpetpharmacy.com
- www.petco.com/petco_Page_PC_storelocator_Nav_2.aspx
- stores.petsmart.com/
- www.aspca.org/pet-care/dog-care/dog-care-allergies.aspx
- hypoallergenicdogfood.blogspot.com/
- catfoodreviews.com/
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