Dogs & Food Intolerance

[ladyjane]

Originally Posted by lisaly

I don't presently have a dog with allergies, but I did in the past. Some people here on YT don't respect Dr. Dodds, and that is their right and opinion. I happen to respect a great deal about what she has done. As for other vets not supporting this test, I'm not surprised because it's not unusual for many vets not supporting anything different from the norm.

Giving this test would not harm any dog, so the only thing that could be hurt is my pocketbook. Had I known of a test like this when my Kiwi was alive, I would have tried it. We tested for environmental allergies, and I gave her shots for them. I tried seeing if some of her allergies could have been food related, but I failed at. I wouldn't have used the results as a definite result, but it could have been used as a starting point. I don't like throwing away money, but it would have been worth it for me. I happen to respect Dr. Dodds. We never did blood tests for food allergies because I know they're not reliable, but if there was a chance that this could have helped my little girl, it would have been worth it to me. She had terrible allergies and colitis, and although she was a happy little girl, they affected her quality of life and health.

Respectfully, I don't think that vets don't support things because they are "not the norm". While I have not read much about this test, my guess is it just does not have the scientific proof to back it at this point.

People constantly complain about what vets charge. Imagine a vet suggesting someone do a test on a dog and then they find out there is no research to back it? I am not saying that about THIS test....just speaking in general. People don't believe educated folks and yet they believe just about anything they read on the internet.

[DBlain]

I am lucky that I have never had a dog with food allergies or any allergy, but I am curious?? If you go the food elimination route do you have to keep going back to your vet during the whole process?

[ladyjane]

Originally Posted by DBlain

I am lucky that I have never had a dog with food allergies or any allergy, but I am curious?? If you go the food elimination route do you have to keep going back to your vet during the whole process?

It is because, in spite of people's beliefs, food allergies are not that common.

I don't think you have to keep going to the vet during the food elimination unless you just want the vet's feedback.

[megansmomma]

Originally Posted by ladyjane

Respectfully, I don't think that vets don't support things because they are "not the norm". While I have not read much about this test, my guess is it just does not have the scientific proof to back it at this point.

People constantly complain about what vets charge. Imagine a vet suggesting someone do a test on a dog and then they find out there is no research to back it? I am not saying that about THIS test....just speaking in general. People don't believe educated folks and yet they believe just about anything they read on the internet.

My vet just roll their eyes when Dr. Dodd or Dr. Becker are mentioned. Their practices and beliefs are not based on scientific studies that have been proven.

Things are about to change for Homeopathic medicine. The FDA is about to hold hearings regarding this very issue. The FDA regualtions are not currently strict enough according to the medical community. This should be very interesting once the hearings are held and both sides of the issues have a chance to voice their arguments.


Homeopathic Product Regulation: Evaluating FDA?s Regulatory Framework After a Quarter-Century

[pstinard]

Originally Posted by lisaly

I don't presently have a dog with allergies, but I did in the past. Some people here on YT don't respect Dr. Dodds, and that is their right and opinion. I happen to respect a great deal about what she has done. As for other vets not supporting this test, I'm not surprised because it's not unusual for many vets not supporting anything different from the norm.

Giving this test would not harm any dog, so the only thing that could be hurt is my pocketbook. Had I known of a test like this when my Kiwi was alive, I would have tried it. We tested for environmental allergies, and I gave her shots for them. I tried seeing if some of her allergies could have been food related, but I failed at. I wouldn't have used the results as a definite result, but it could have been used as a starting point. I don't like throwing away money, but it would have been worth it for me. I happen to respect Dr. Dodds. We never did blood tests for food allergies because I know they're not reliable, but if there was a chance that this could have helped my little girl, it would have been worth it to me. She had terrible allergies and colitis, and although she was a happy little girl, they affected her quality of life and health.

I'm sure that Dr. Dodds is a wonderful vet, and her advice is good on most things. HOWEVER, there are no peer reviewed articles on saliva tests for allergy testing--I've looked and looked and LOOKED. It simply hasn't been put to rigorous scientific testing. Surely, if Dr. Dodds had rigorously tested her allergy test on control and test populations, she would have published on it by now in peer-reviewed journals. I'm curious why she hasn't. If anyone is in contact with Dr. Dodds, please ask her why, and let us know what she says. I'm sure that is why it is not commonly recommended by vets. Until a study appears in a peer-reviewed journal, all we have is anecdotal stories and testimonials--not a solid basis for a vet's recommendation.

[Lovetodream88]

Originally Posted by lisaly

I don't presently have a dog with allergies, but I did in the past. Some people here on YT don't respect Dr. Dodds, and that is their right and opinion. I happen to respect a great deal about what she has done. As for other vets not supporting this test, I'm not surprised because it's not unusual for many vets not supporting anything different from the norm.

Giving this test would not harm any dog, so the only thing that could be hurt is my pocketbook. Had I known of a test like this when my Kiwi was alive, I would have tried it. We tested for environmental allergies, and I gave her shots for them. I tried seeing if some of her allergies could have been food related, but I failed at. I wouldn't have used the results as a definite result, but it could have been used as a starting point. I don't like throwing away money, but it would have been worth it for me. I happen to respect Dr. Dodds. We never did blood tests for food allergies because I know they're not reliable, but if there was a chance that this could have helped my little girl, it would have been worth it to me. She had terrible allergies and colitis, and although she was a happy little girl, they affected her quality of life and health.

There is no science behind the test and there are many false positives on the tests that is why vets are not recommending it. My vet and one of the other vets who works at my vets office are very open to new things but if there is no science to back it up there not going to stand behind it. The issue is we have many people who will hear about the test and think is an answer to all there prayers and issues but then it ends up not being and there down the big amounts of money they spent on the tests when they could have spent that money actually helping there dog. Dr.Dodds sells many products so keep in mind she is wanting to sell those products and make her money.

[Lovetodream88]

Originally Posted by megansmomma

My vet just roll their eyes when Dr. Dodd or Dr. Becker are mentioned. Their practices and beliefs are not based on scientific studies that have been proven.

Things are about to change for Homeopathic medicine. The FDA is about to hold hearings regarding this very issue. The FDA regualtions are not currently strict enough according to the medical community. This should be very interesting once the hearings are held and both sides of the issues have a chance to voice their arguments.


Homeopathic Product Regulation: Evaluating FDA?s Regulatory Framework After a Quarter-Century

I personally can not wait! It's about time.

[Lovetodream88]

Originally Posted by pstinard

I'm sure that Dr. Dodds is a wonderful vet, and her advice is good on most things. HOWEVER, there are no peer reviewed articles on saliva tests for allergy testing--I've looked and looked and LOOKED. It simply hasn't been put to rigorous scientific testing. Surely, if Dr. Dodds had rigorously tested her allergy test on control and test populations, she would have published on it by now in peer-reviewed journals. I'm curious why she hasn't. If anyone is in contact with Dr. Dodds, please ask her why, and let us know what she says. I'm sure that is why it is not commonly recommended by vets. Until a study appears in a peer-reviewed journal, all we have is anecdotal stories and testimonials--not a solid basis for a vet's recommendation.

I'm guessing they would find out it doesn't work and when they did it would mean she couldn't make money off of it anymore. Thanks for looking I think it really says a lot that there are none on it.

[gemy]

I have found nothing on controlled studies on this test - I have known about it for 5years or more (I think).


How-ever if I have gone the Western Medicine Route - with elimination and other available treatment options and testings - and still my dog is un-well I would spend another $280 to do this test.


The test won't hurt and it just may help - how-ever there is nothing in science so far that says this should be the first option route.


And I am not sanguine about the majority of vets practising medicine based on the latest in medical research never mind the latest on AAHA guidelines.or AVMA guidelines


Following *newish* vaccination protocol just being one example.

[pstinard]

Originally Posted by Lovetodream88

I'm guessing they would find out it doesn't work and when they did it would mean she couldn't make money off of it anymore. Thanks for looking I think it really says a lot that there are none on it.

I did a little more poking around, and I found several of Dr. Dodd's patents and patent applications, which explain the method, but without much research backing it up (despite the claims in the patents):

Patent US8450074 - Multi-stage nutrigenomic diagnostic food sensitivity testing in animals - Google Patents

Patent US7867720 - Food sensitivity testing in animals - Google Patents

Patent US20130183692 - Intolerance testing for ingredients in nutrients, flavorings and therapeutics - Google Patents

I also found this on her Nutriscan page (http://www.nutriscan.org/veterinaria...nalysis.html):

Since starting the NutriScan clinical testing in May 2011, Dr. Dodds and Hemolife's diagnostic team have compiled and analyzed 566 sequential canine case samples plus 29 other canine controls in preparation for formal refereed publication. This analysis compared results from 208 healthy control dogs, 289 suspected food intolerant dogs and 98 proven food intolerant dogs and unequivocally showed a progressive increase in the reactivities measured in each group, respectively. Statistically significant differences were found as would be expected based on the clinical classification of these three case cohorts. These data clearly affirmed the validation of our results and the clinical utility of the test. The team has follow up profiles now on 80 of these dogs, and is preparing the data for a refereed scientific publication.

Hemolife Diagnostics has tested nearly 5000 canine samples now. Since starting cats at the end of September 2013, the team has tested nearly 100 as of December 2013.

As with any new testing, there will be skeptics. This is especially when the existing serum-based food “allergy” testing is well-recognized to be fraught with errors both in the test systems used and their clinical applicability to human (or animal) patients.

So it looks to me like she is working on a refereed journal article, but hasn't submitted it yet. As a scientist, this seems to me to be a backwards way of doing things. If it were me, I would have published the results before releasing a commercial test--that would have resulted in less controversy and more acceptance of the test in the veterinary community.

[Lovetodream88]

Originally Posted by pstinard

I did a little more poking around, and I found several of Dr. Dodd's patents and patent applications, which explain the method, but without much research backing it up (despite the claims in the patents):

Patent US8450074 - Multi-stage nutrigenomic diagnostic food sensitivity testing in animals - Google Patents

Patent US7867720 - Food sensitivity testing in animals - Google Patents

Patent US20130183692 - Intolerance testing for ingredients in nutrients, flavorings and therapeutics - Google Patents

I also found this on her Nutriscan page (http://www.nutriscan.org/veterinaria...nalysis.html):

Since starting the NutriScan clinical testing in May 2011, Dr. Dodds and Hemolife's diagnostic team have compiled and analyzed 566 sequential canine case samples plus 29 other canine controls in preparation for formal refereed publication. This analysis compared results from 208 healthy control dogs, 289 suspected food intolerant dogs and 98 proven food intolerant dogs and unequivocally showed a progressive increase in the reactivities measured in each group, respectively. Statistically significant differences were found as would be expected based on the clinical classification of these three case cohorts. These data clearly affirmed the validation of our results and the clinical utility of the test. The team has follow up profiles now on 80 of these dogs, and is preparing the data for a refereed scientific publication.

Hemolife Diagnostics has tested nearly 5000 canine samples now. Since starting cats at the end of September 2013, the team has tested nearly 100 as of December 2013.

As with any new testing, there will be skeptics. This is especially when the existing serum-based food “allergy” testing is well-recognized to be fraught with errors both in the test systems used and their clinical applicability to human (or animal) patients.

So it looks to me like she is working on a refereed journal article, but hasn't submitted it yet. As a scientist, this seems to me to be a backwards way of doing things. If it were me, I would have published the results before releasing a commercial test--that would have resulted in less controversy and more acceptance of the test in the veterinary community.

I have a feeling the science is just not there so she maybe trying to fabricate it or just not do anything. Who knows.

[gemy]

True I would too - how-ever I would get my patent in first. This is a wildly burgeoning field - especially now - Dog genome fully mapped - pet owners really really interested in best wellness care for their pets. Multi billion dollar pet food industry, not to mention toys leashes and other related products and services including vet care.


So maybe a smart business decision versus a pure science one? IDK. I do know I have met her 2 or more times and she is exceeding articulate, passionate and bright. And she was the first or one of the first to provide and set up a blood donor bank - vs a vs her rescue greyhounds. This is a charitable organization. We now have 3 such programs in Toronto and all with-in the last 5yrs or so. I contribute my dogs blood annually - well at least my two biggies - as here the protocol is over 40lbs...


And she has earned my respect - for she responded personally to my emails about (2) of my dogs - and reviewed their medical results *free of charge* and sent me her opinion. That is hardly a money grubbing person.


This is one no cost way pet owners can help other pet owners - for who knows when our dogs might need a blood transfusion?

[pstinard]

Originally Posted by gemy

True I would too - how-ever I would get my patent in first. This is a wildly burgeoning field - especially now - Dog genome fully mapped - pet owners really really interested in best wellness care for their pets. Multi billion dollar pet food industry, not to mention toys leashes and other related products and services including vet care.


So maybe a smart business decision versus a pure science one? IDK. I do know I have met her 2 or more times and she is exceeding articulate, passionate and bright. And she was the first or one of the first to provide and set up a blood donor bank - vs a vs her rescue greyhounds. This is a charitable organization. We now have 3 such programs in Toronto and all with-in the last 5yrs or so. I contribute my dogs blood annually - well at least my two biggies - as here the protocol is over 40lbs...


And she has earned my respect - for she responded personally to my emails about (2) of my dogs - and reviewed their medical results *free of charge* and sent me her opinion. That is hardly a money grubbing person.


This is one no cost way pet owners can help other pet owners - for who knows when our dogs might need a blood transfusion?

I agree that Dr. Dodds has done wonderful things, and I do have respect for her. I think that she should have handled Nutriscan in the following order:

(1) Patent, with a good review of the literature that supports her claims.

(2) Peer reviewed article proving that the test works.

(3) THEN release the Nutriscan test to the public.

That said, I HOPE her test really works--it would be great if it did. I'm just a little uneasy that she hasn't had a peer reviewed article yet.

[Lovetodream88]

Originally Posted by gemy

True I would too - how-ever I would get my patent in first. This is a wildly burgeoning field - especially now - Dog genome fully mapped - pet owners really really interested in best wellness care for their pets. Multi billion dollar pet food industry, not to mention toys leashes and other related products and services including vet care.


So maybe a smart business decision versus a pure science one? IDK. I do know I have met her 2 or more times and she is exceeding articulate, passionate and bright. And she was the first or one of the first to provide and set up a blood donor bank - vs a vs her rescue greyhounds. This is a charitable organization. We now have 3 such programs in Toronto and all with-in the last 5yrs or so. I contribute my dogs blood annually - well at least my two biggies - as here the protocol is over 40lbs...


And she has earned my respect - for she responded personally to my emails about (2) of my dogs - and reviewed their medical results *free of charge* and sent me her opinion. That is hardly a money grubbing person.


This is one no cost way pet owners can help other pet owners - for who knows when our dogs might need a blood transfusion?

I'm sorry but when it comes to this test with no science to back it and it being so expensive it would appear to be a money thing preying on people whose dogs have allergy's. I have read several things about her that I have not been thrilled with. There are several things she does that doesn't have the science to back it up and in my opinion that is a very extremly important thing for me.

[107barney]

Respect has nothing to do with whether a test is valid or not. Who cares if someone likes her or respects her, that's not the issue!