Source folder: Q&As
Source workbook: Questions and answers.xlsx
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Questions and answers imported from the source spreadsheet.
Question: Can any foods / Medication affect the test
Answer:
The only time we need to be cautious is if the dog is on certain medications, specifically antihistamines or steroids.
Topical ointments and drops would not affect the test results (Tresaderm)
Question: Antihistamines
Answer:
"Antihistamines could most certainly affect the allergy test results, so we do advise that if you want accurate results to collect the sample when the dog hasn't been given any for at least 7 days. We would never advise a client to take their dog off of any medication, but if they know that there might be a time when the dog hasn't been given any antihistamines for a while, to collect the sample then."
Question: Dog is taking Soliphen for epilepsy. Will this affect her results ?
Answer:
This will not have any affect on the test, only oral steroids, allergy medications or steroidal injections. I would not ever advise a client to stop epilepsy medication.
Question: Can these affect the test - Gabapentin, Apoquel & Prednisolone
Answer:
Yes it will have an affect and would advise against testing If the dog is on any of these,
Question: Pimobendan (for heart) and Synoqin (for joints)
Answer:
these are not steroid based drugs nor a antihistamine so the dog can go ahead with testing
Question: What type of grass do you test for
Answer:
we test for some of the most popular grass varieties, including Meadow Fescue, Kentucky Blue/June, Orchard, Redtop, 24 Perennial Rye, Sweet Vernal, and Timothy grass.
Question: Which address to send samples too and pre paid envelope
Answer:
The address pre-printed on our envelopes is a business reply address as provided by Canada Post. The postal code on our business reply envelopes is not the same as our physical address. Customers are encouraged to use the business reply envelope, however, if they wish to ship another method they need to ship to our physical address DNA MY DOG , 1543 KINGSTON ROAD, TORONTO, ON M1N 1R9
Question: Client is sure her dog is having a reaction to chicken but allergy test shows no allergy detected
Answer:
There was not a sample mix up at the lab. Here are my responses to the other questions:
This panel solely tests for IgE-mediated immune responses - true allergies. Food intolerance, which presents with clinical signs, generates an IgG response, but not an IgE response.
IgE has a relatively short half-life (2-3 days), and thus if the offending allergen has not been consumed in a while, the IgE titers towards that allergen would be low or non-existent. Additionally, the presence of corticosteroids or other inflammatory response suppressants can further lower IgE levels.
A patient can have a food sensitivity, but not a true IgE allergy.