Allergy Skin Testing-Has anyone had it?

[enchilila]

I'm taking Betty Boop to the derm vet this week to get skin tested and blood work. Has anyone ever had this done? I'm just wondering what to expect regarding sedation for the skin testing. The derm vet said he will be using dexdomitor. Apparently, it has very low side effects and can be reversed instantly if any problems arise.

It may be overkill on my part, but I'm taking her to our regular vet to get bloodwork done as the Dexdomitor will slow the heart rate and could slightly elevate the blood pressure.

She has also been on Apoquel for the last 2 weeks and it has really worked well. However, I don't want to use it long-term.

Any input is appreciated.

[capt_noonie]

I don't have any experience to share, but I would also have blodwork done if she is going to be put under.

I've taken Uni in several times about her scratching and the vet basically told me that most allergy testing doesn't tell you exactly what it is, and it's a long process. Come to find out she could be allergic to something that is unavoidable such as grass or pollen. Fortunately for us, after we moved, we now have a soft water system and Uni scratches about 99.9% less than before. I think the hard water was upsetting her skin.

Good luck. I hope you find the answers you are looking for.

[107barney]

I have not had the testing done. But, I can tell you that my dog Daisy has had skin tags and a skin cancer removed while under dexdomitor. Dexdomitor is conscious sedation and the dog is monitored while sedated. So they are not intubated and there is no gas. They use a reversal agent called Antisedan to reverse the anesthesia when the procedure is over. Dermatologists use dexdomitor all day long, so they are quite comfortable with the monitoring and use of it.

I probably would only do labs if my dog was due for them, or unless my vet had a strong recommendation to do it. I think more than good bloodwork, you should have your vet do a very thorough listen of the heart for any potential murmurs or heart issues. Dogs w/ heart issues are not ideal candidates for dexdomitor.

Good luck, she will do fine.

[enchilila]

Originally Posted by capt_noonie

I don't have any experience to share, but I would also have blodwork done if she is going to be put under.

I've taken Uni in several times about her scratching and the vet basically told me that most allergy testing doesn't tell you exactly what it is, and it's a long process. Come to find out she could be allergic to something that is unavoidable such as grass or pollen. Fortunately for us, after we moved, we now have a soft water system and Uni scratches about 99.9% less than before. I think the hard water was upsetting her skin.

Good luck. I hope you find the answers you are looking for.

It's interesting you said that you have a soft water system in your house, we were thinking of putting a water filtering system on our main water supply to the house. There are so many additives in our city water. Maybe that would also help Betty Boop.

We have a huge, old oak tree that drops leaves, acorns and junk each fall and spring. We also have a pecan tree that does the same. It's horrible.

The derm vet said it is for a lifetime.

[enchilila]

Originally Posted by 107barney

I have not had the testing done. But, I can tell you that my dog Daisy has had skin tags and a skin cancer removed while under dexdomitor. Dexdomitor is conscious sedation and the dog is monitored while sedated. So they are not intubated and there is no gas. They use a reversal agent called Antisedan to reverse the anesthesia when the procedure is over. Dermatologists use dexdomitor all day long, so they are quite comfortable with the monitoring and use of it.

I probably would only do labs if my dog was due for them, or unless my vet had a strong recommendation to do it. I think more than good bloodwork, you should have your vet do a very thorough listen of the heart for any potential murmurs or heart issues. Dogs w/ heart issues are not ideal candidates for dexdomitor.

Good luck, she will do fine.

I took Betty Boop to our regular vet today and had bloodwork done as she was due for her 6 month lab work anyway. He listened to her heart. He said there was no murmur and had a good steady beat.

I am a little concerned about a couple of things on the lab work. Her Lipase was high (normal range is 200 - 1800. She was 2111). She had a high result last year and he did something called a CPL and it was normal. Her follow up bloodwork had a normal LIPA.

The MPV and PDW were low.

MPV range is 8.7 - 13.2 (result was 7.4)
PDW range is 9.1 - 19.4 (result was 8.1)

AMYL range is 500 - 1500 (results was 461)

He said he doesn't go by these numbers but goes by some other numbers. I can't remember which ones, but they were normal.

Would you know if these numbers are something that should really concern me? I panic when anything is out of range. Maybe I need to follow up with another blood test soon to see if the numbers change.

[107barney]

I wouldn't be concerned about the platelets. The lipase being so high would concern me and I would probably keep this dog on a lower fat range diet. Does she have any GI symptoms? Also the fact that amylase is low makes me wonder about a lab error on the lipase. Do you have the labs? See if there is any reference to hemolysis. Was this in house labs? If so, it could be a lab error. If no symptoms, I would just repeat next time but I would be cautious about the fat. I wouldn't be concerned with the platelets provided the CBC was otherwise ok.

[enchilila]

Originally Posted by 107barney

I wouldn't be concerned about the platelets. The lipase being so high would concern me and I would probably keep this dog on a lower fat range diet. Does she have any GI symptoms? Also the fact that amylase is low makes me wonder about a lab error on the lipase. Do you have the labs? See if there is any reference to hemolysis. Was this in house labs? If so, it could be a lab error. If no symptoms, I would just repeat next time but I would be cautious about the fat. I wouldn't be concerned with the platelets provided the CBC was otherwise ok.

She doesn't have any GI symptoms at all. I recently changed her kibble from. 25% fat to a grain free kibble which has 28% fat. I'm unable to find a low fat, grain-free kibble. Her lab work last year showed an elevated Lipase but a follow up test showed normal. He always does in-house bloodwork.

I just noticed that her ALKP was less than 10 and the norm is 23 - 212.

I don't see hemolysis on the report.

[capt_noonie]

Originally Posted by enchilila

It's interesting you said that you have a soft water system in your house, we were thinking of putting a water filtering system on our main water supply to the house. There are so many additives in our city water. Maybe that would also help Betty Boop.

We have a huge, old oak tree that drops leaves, acorns and junk each fall and spring. We also have a pecan tree that does the same. It's horrible.

The derm vet said it is for a lifetime.

I think the soft water system is totally worth the money. Esp here in Vegas the water is extremely hard. It's nicer on your clothes when you wash them, better for your skin and hair, and easier to clean the shower and bathtub. Also doesn't leave much spots on your glassware.

[107barney]

Originally Posted by enchilila

She doesn't have any GI symptoms at all. I recently changed her kibble from. 25% fat to a grain free kibble which has 28% fat. I'm unable to find a low fat, grain-free kibble. Her lab work last year showed an elevated Lipase but a follow up test showed normal. He always does in-house bloodwork.

I just noticed that her ALKP was less than 10 and the norm is 23 - 212.

I don't see hemolysis on the report.

I don't like in house blood work unless done at a very large hospital like a vet school or equivalent where they have very expensive machinery. Often, there are more errors and generally it's more expensive than sending out (at least at most vets around here). That alk phos of 10 makes me think of lab errors. What were the other liver enzyme readings?

I still would worry about that amount of fat in the diet with her.

[enchilila]

Originally Posted by 107barney

I don't like in house blood work unless done at a very large hospital like a vet school or equivalent where they have very expensive machinery. Often, there are more errors and generally it's more expensive than sending out (at least at most vets around here). That alk phos of 10 makes me think of lab errors. What were the other liver enzyme readings?

I still would worry about that amount of fat in the diet with her.

I only see ALT. The result was 64 and the norm was 10 - 100. I don't see AST. I may have to go back to grains to get the lower fat. Do you think home cooked or a raw diet would have less fat?

[107barney]

Originally Posted by enchilila

I only see ALT. The result was 64 and the norm was 10 - 100. I don't see AST. I may have to go back to grains to get the lower fat. Do you think home cooked or a raw diet would have less fat?

I think the fact that her ALT was normal is good because that is much more liver specific. ALk phos is more nonspecific. I wouldn't sweat this reading honestly.

As for fat content, if she doesn't do well on grain based food, then I would not go back. Home cooked definitely could be made to be lower in fat. Raw could be high in fat.

[Wylie's Mom]

We did skin testing on Marcel and he did just great w/ it. They may shave a large part of the side of the body, btw. After we got the results, we tried injections for a while - but it was literally IMPOSSIBLE to give him injections at home...we could not believe we were unable to give a 4lb dog an injection - but nope, no way, no how...no matter what we did. Luckily though, they now have sublingual drops, so we do that instead.

[enchilila]

Originally Posted by Wylie's Mom

We did skin testing on Marcel and he did just great w/ it. They may shave a large part of the side of the body, btw. After we got the results, we tried injections for a while - but it was literally IMPOSSIBLE to give him injections at home...we could not believe we were unable to give a 4lb dog an injection - but nope, no way, no how...no matter what we did. Luckily though, they now have sublingual drops, so we do that instead.

Betty Boop had the test this morning. She did great! It didn't take long at all and we were on our way back home with the results in hand. She is allergic to so many things. The little rascal is allergic to my husband and me!!!!! I don't know how common it is to be allergic to human dander. She is allergic to our huge pecan and oak tree. She is also allergic to cats, and we have an outside cat. The list goes on. He also took blood but but won't know the results for another two weeks. I'm so glad we can do the sublimgual drops.

Do the drops really help Marcel's allergies? Has he built a resistance?

Boop has been on the Apoquel for 3 weeks. I've cut her down to a half pill every other day. I don't want her on them long term. Wow, they sure did help with the itching! I've never seen anything like it! My regular vet said he received a letter stating the pills should be available soon. I read online that the maker will still give them out sparingly as needed.

I'm so glad I took Boop and had this done. The derm vet said that her allergies will only get worse as she ages.

[enchilila]

Originally Posted by 107barney

I think the fact that her ALT was normal is good because that is much more liver specific. ALk phos is more nonspecific. I wouldn't sweat this reading honestly.

As for fat content, if she doesn't do well on grain based food, then I would not go back. Home cooked definitely could be made to be lower in fat. Raw could be high in fat.

Do you think the fact that she are before the blood was drawn could have affected the Lipase and other results. I didn't think about fasting.

Thank you for all your help!

[107barney]

What about atopica? My Daisy had been on to for 10 years! I have a thread here about her recent flare. I should update it again because she looks amazing now.