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Test Results on Maisie's Sensitivities


LindaMC

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A bit overwhelming, I must say.  I found a very reasonably priced site that tests for dog sensitivities using their hair strands.  The sensitivities are in three levels and categorized as red - level 3 (stop), Yellow, level 2 (slow down) and green, level one (be aware).   The foods I have been feeding her contain a lot of things she's sensitive to, like turkey, salmon & 3 other fish, flax-seed, pumpkin, apples, chickpeas, white and brown rice.  What confuses me is sodium, potassium and calcium salts!  Luckily, she's okay with chicken and beef, which does help with finding a food recipe that will work for her. I've decided to cook for her but need to do more research.  I found a food for now that appears to have none of the foods she should eat.  

They also found environmental sensitivities, like pine, bees, ants, juniper bush, Bermuda grass, elm, pigeons and other things I know nothing about.

Have you ever heard of a dog that's sensitive to Omega 3 fatty acid?  Yes, on the list and also cranberries, which Maisie needs to take.  It's so frustrating but the peace of mind I hope to achieve from this will make such a huge difference for Maisie.  

Edited by LindaMC
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Guest dog person

I am so sorry you fell for that test.      A veterinary dermatologist is the only way to accurately diagnose allergies/skin conditions.

Or, you could do an elimination diet with prescription food from your vet to rule out food sensitivities, if you haven't done so already.

http://skeptvet.com/Blog/2018/11/hair-and-saliva-test-for-allergies-are-worthless-pseudoscience/ 

Click on link for full article and comments,  excerpts below:

One veterinary dermatologist has performed her own uncontrolled test of Nutriscan, with Dr. Dodds’ knowledge and permission, and found it entirely unreliable. Twelve samples were submitted for testing in a blind manner, from dogs with known food sensitivities based on dietary testing, dogs with environmental allergies, dogs without allergic disease, and one sample of tap water. All samples including tap water, environmental allergy dogs, and normal dogs showed reactivity to beef, corn, milk and wheat. Some samples showed reactivity to soy. In some cases, these obviously false results would have led to recommendations against diets which actually helped these dogs.

 

Coyner K, Schick A. Hair and saliva test fails to identify allergies in dogs. J Small Anim Pract. October 2018. doi:10.1111/jsap.12952

Our study demonstrates that hair and saliva testing fails not only to identify allergic dermatitis in dogs, but fails to differentiate between animal and non-animal samples, providing essentially identical results, regardless of the origin of the sample.

These authors submitted not only hair and saliva from dogs with known allergies and dogs without allergies, but also fake hair samples from stuffed animals and water (in place of saliva). All of the samples tested positive for some allergies, and there was essentially no difference between the results and random chance.

Bottom Line
Saliva and hair tests for food allergies are a scam and a waste of time and money.

PS: If it's not too late maybe you could get your money back?

 

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Have you read up on this place?  Your correct, they cannot identify allergies but they only claim to identify items that dogs/cats are sensitive to, i.e. items that accumulate in the body that may result in a serious response The company has excellent reviews, I saw them on the Today Show and a friend of mine, who recommended I give this a try, was overjoyed with the results her dog received once she was able to remove the items from his diet.  If it helps Maisie in anyway, I'll be more than thrilled.  I am very familiar with Nutriscan and Dr. Jean Dodds but unfortunately it's a little bit higher in price, but thank you.

Edited by LindaMC
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My own experience with the results of allergy testing was very similar to yours... I ended up with an absurdly long, off-the-wall list of possible allergies. It made me question the validity of, and interpretation of the testing. Usually, I’m not one to question my docs, but frankly, IMO, the process and conclusions were ridiculous! I have no faith in some of these allergy-testing procedures and others I’ve spoken to feel the same, including other docs!

Edited by sanford
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My experience was fantastic. I did the saliva test  for Rosie from one of the leading researchers in the US, Dr Jean Dodd’s. I got a list of sensitivities back, turkey being the number one issue for Rosie. We changed the protein and she stopped the loose stools .  I don’t agree at all with other  posts because it worked for me and my dog and a few of my friends dogs also.  I find it difficult  myself to have such a rigid way of thinking and as myself and my husband both see not only our own GP but also a naturopath, with  good results, I also past that way of thinking to my animals. Linda keep an open mind, choose the best of both modalities and go from there.

I think a lot of people think that allergies and sensitivities are the same, they are not. 

Edited by Terrier lover
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Until one has loved an animal, a part of  one's soul remains unawakened.  - Anatole France

Adventures with Sam &Rosie

 

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5 hours ago, Terrier lover said:

I think a lot of people think that allergies and sensitivities are the same, they are not. 

For those, (like myself) who never made the distinction between them: 

Symptoms of food sensitivity/intolerance include gas, bloating, diarrhea, constipation, cramping, and nausea.

Symptoms of food allergy include hives, swelling, itching, anaphylaxis, and dizziness.

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Guest dog person
There are many effective treatments available for environmental allergies.    
 
 
  http://www.skinvetclinic.com/pdfs/atopicdermatitis.pdf    
      
excerpt below, click on link for full article and treatment options

 

Can we test my dog for allergies to find out to what he/she is allergic?

Allergy testing is used by most veterinary dermatologists for the purpose of formulating an allergy vaccine, not to make the diagnosis. There are several methods to perform the test:

  • Intradermal test (IDT). To perform an IDT, pets are sedated (dogs) or anesthetized (cats), an area on the chest is clipped of hair, and about 50 allergens are injected into the skin. A red swelling is interpreted as meaning that the pet is possibly allergic to that allergen. It is best if dogs have not eaten the morning of their test. Certain medications (prednisone, antihistamines and topical cortisone) have the potential to influence the test, but usually do not. We will assess these with you as we plan for the IDT.
  • Percutaneous prick test (PPT). Dr. Carnett developed a testing technique for pets that is preferred in human allergy testing – the percutaneous prick test. Instead of injecting allergens into the deeper layer of skin, the dermis, pinpoint pricks are made with a device that also delivers a drop of allergenic extract on to the skin surface. Similar to IDT, the reactions are graded subjectively based on size and inflammation, in comparison to positive and negative controls. The PPT causes very little discomfort and we are usually able to perform the test on awake dogs laying on their sides, aided by lots of petting to keep them calm. The disadvantage is that it is a new technique in dogs and cats, with much less experience to draw upon. We recommend that prior to a PPT, patients should be off of oral cortisone, topical cortisone, and antihistamines for 4 weeks, 2 weeks, and 1 week, respectively.
  • Blood, saliva, hair tests. Blood (serum) tests performed by different companies on the same samples have been shown to have poor agreement with one another. In independent studies, blood, saliva, and hair allergy tests have reported positive reactions to tap water, cow serum, and fake fur from a stuffed animal. For this reason and others, we do not routinely recommend them.
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Guest dog person
14 hours ago, LindaMC said:

Have you read up on this place?  Your correct, they cannot identify allergies but they only claim to identify items that dogs/cats are sensitive to, i.e. items that accumulate in the body that may result in a serious response The company has excellent reviews, I saw them on the Today Show and a friend of mine, who recommended I give this a try, was overjoyed with the results her dog received once she was able to remove the items from his diet.  If it helps Maisie in anyway, I'll be more than thrilled.  I am very familiar with Nutriscan and Dr. Jean Dodds but unfortunately it's a little bit higher in price, but thank you.

I would NEVER recommend the veterinarian you mentioned to anyone for any reason.

My point is, all hair and saliva tests are inaccurate in identifying food sensitivities or whatever they claim to identify.    Read the links I provided.    I hate to see people waste their time and money.

So many scams out there.     Discuss with your vet and request a refund, that's what I would do.

Angell Animal Medical has an excellent dermatology dept.,  they also have some educational articles on their website if you are interested.    

Good luck!

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Thank you for your three posts regarding your opinion. Please respect others.

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Until one has loved an animal, a part of  one's soul remains unawakened.  - Anatole France

Adventures with Sam &Rosie

 

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Both Maisie's vet and I believe she's sensitive to something in her food.  Her skin is a mess!  This has been going on now for almost 2 years, it started when she was put on prescription food for her bladder stones.   The ingredients in this food was horrible but it saved her from having surgery.  Now I have to be very careful that she doesn't get more stones.

Maybe I'm grasping at straws but it gives me some hope.  I will keep everyone updated on how I make out.

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Guest dog person

You're welcome.    Are you a moderator?    

I feel I have provided adequate information and links for this thread and I hope the poster with the question will consult with her vet.

Good day

In response to:  Quote "Thank you for your three posts regarding your opinion. Please respect others."

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"You're welcome.    Are you a moderator?    Because I have a right to speak and will voice my opinion when I think it will be helpful. I feel I have provided adequate information and links for this thread and I hope the poster with the question will consult with her vet."

Thank you for all your suggestions but this isn't my first rodeo and Maisie has seen her vet multiple times for just her skin alone.

Edited by LindaMC
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Guest dog person

Yes, but has she seen a veterinary dermatologist.   

That was the only thing that helped my allergy dog.   We saw improvement and had answers and a treatment plan after just one visit.     We see the specialist once a year and enjoy the visit.

Allergies tend to wax and wane.   Treatment is lifelong.   

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Guest dog person
2 hours ago, LindaMC said:

Unfortunately, I do not have the funds or I would.  

Okay, I tried not to respond, but I felt I had to.

I went back and forth to the regular vet (more than one), bought supplements, shampoos, tried various dog foods, even disgusting raw diets (with dire results).    Did this for one year and spent some $.        But, less $ than we have spent in the last 5 years seeing the specialist.  

He returns calls in between appointments and advises.

All positive.    This may not be everyone's experience.   I have to share as I have come to the conclusion that there are no miracle cures for allergies.    No cheap solutions.

Best of all, the dog is not suffering.

Again, best of luck with whatever course of treatment you choose to pursue.

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Guest dog person
On ‎2‎/‎2‎/‎2019 at 8:33 AM, LindaMC said:

Both Maisie's vet and I believe she's sensitive to something in her food.  Her skin is a mess!  This has been going on now for almost 2 years, it started when she was put on prescription food for her bladder stones.   The ingredients in this food was horrible but it saved her from having surgery.  Now I have to be very careful that she doesn't get more stones.

Maybe I'm grasping at straws but it gives me some hope.  I will keep everyone updated on how I make out.

You are very fortunate that the prescription diet worked for your dog.

Dogs can have more than one type of stone, mine had both calcium oxalate and struvite.    Stones were sent out for analysis after emergency surgery.

I just want you to be aware.   I would continue to work closely with your vet regarding diet and such, just in case. 

PS: It sounds like you have a high maintenance dog.     It happens.     I have one too at present, my little poodle mix.

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Guest dog person
55 minutes ago, Hillscreek said:

? ?

Yes, I wanted to share my experience.    Thought it might help.    We spent a small fortune on ineffective treatments before finding a solution that continues to keep the dog comfortable to this day.

Is that okay with you?   Are you a moderator too?

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I'm O K  with the comment and I'm not a "moderator" but when I see a " Okay, I tried not to respond, but I felt I had to." response to a post, I always wonder why the poster would let their correct initial observations of trying not to respond, be overridden by some kind of odd need to just respond for whatever reason.  I try to let my initial self censorship rule the day.  Unless, of course, when I am determined, as now, to get the last word in.

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Well, you are not going to get the last word, Idaho, because here I am.

I think it is certainly appropriate to share experiences - that is what we all come here for. Also okay to share opinions, with the understanding that others may choose to agree or not. Continuing to push an opinion after someone has stated a contrary opinion is - well - pushy. Pursuing the issue when the initial person has stated they don't agree is argumentative and diminishes any authority your opinion might have initially had. And I am pretty sure that is not okay with almost everyone here.

Let's stay out of the dog fights, okay? Bad feelings can last a long time.

 

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