Great post!
On the flip side I tried every food imaginable and then lost the list of foods tried them all again, for an unsuccessful while I tried homecooking (unsuccessful because I didn't know how to do it, nor did I know where to go etc.) Didn't know about nutritionists for canines or YT!!!
I had Miss Mini tested by two seperate docs. one a specialist. Turned out food allergies was not her main problem; infact, human dander was her biggest problem!!! I felt as though I failed her because the vet suggested testing long before and I said no, only to find out I was keeping her from being properly treated.
Now one year out, having stayed the course and adjusted her shots as necessary (every 2 weeks) My Miss Mini, who suffered nonstop for a couple years and I do mean nonstop is 90-95% better. Vetting and medicine for allergies has gone down significantly; infact, we have not had an episode in a few months....that is a miracle in itself.
I guess my point is that I think it is worth it to atleast try the testing for environmental, as a whole it is far less expensive in the long run...testing under $500 and approx. $200 every 6 months for serum...not so bad..it was the not knowing that drove me crazy. Now I am able to take some actions like change my sheets daily, limit kisses and licking of me
, prevent other humans from same
....or giving her a bath after socializing with skin people! Vacuming more often, washing her bedding more often, keeping her away from the pollen of trees, killing my dandelions, being more tenacious when high pollen count is out...etc., those are things I can now TRY to control atleast a little....and so far it is working. I was warned from the get go that it works immediately for some but can take several months for others, with Miss Mini's high allergic triggers It was a slower process...but again 1 year out, I'm seeing miracles... Varl has an 85-95% success rate with proper administration, those of us whose pups have severe allergies, would probably call that super!
Again, I can't help sharing this info. and bragging and trying to spread the word, because my Miss Mini was probably the most severe case you can imagine, she had bumps all over her body, head, ears, genitals, she truly suffered. She lost hair, and always got secondary infections, often causing hospitalization...and on more than one occassion almost dying...(I'm crying writing this) so if I can urge anyone to try it, for the sake of your pups...I will try. I think the most important part of the process is being patient and keeping a daily journal.
Now, there is a low end and a high end to the reactions, if the vet your going to is trying to get you to purchase a serum based on low numbers...that would be rediculous, because realistically a benadryl or other allergy pill could suffice.
I agree that diet can help extremely, with many dogs. And obviously is successful, I just feel that with testing you can at the very least limit your pets exposure to some of those things that are triggers.
Ok I'm off my soapbox!