Client Care Resources

Environmental Allergy Testing Overview

If your pet has been diagnosed with environmental allergies, we can perform allergy testing to identify the specific allergens contributing to their symptoms and to guide the development of a customized immunotherapy treatment plan. Testing is not performed simply to see what your pet reacts to, but rather to select the most appropriate allergens to include in immunotherapy.

Testing may include intradermal skin testing (IDT), which is performed under sedation, and a small patch of hair will be shaved to allow us to see reactions clearly. We may also recommend a blood serum allergy test (VARL) to complement intradermal testing.

Please note that certain medications must be stopped before allergy testing to ensure accurate results. We will provide detailed instructions when scheduling your pet’s appointment. Food allergens are not included in skin or blood testing. A food elimination diet is the only way to diagnose food allergies in veterinary medicine.

Allergy immunotherapy (customized injections or drops) is formulated based on the results. Most pets improve over 6–12 months of treatment as their immune system gradually becomes less reactive to allergens. During this time, your pet will likely still need other allergy medications to stay comfortable. Because immunotherapy addresses the underlying cause of allergies, it is often continued long term to maintain control of symptoms.