Allergy testing and desensitisation in dog *another update*

[CG1]

We got the allergy skin test for our dog and individualised immunotherapy. We did this through a specialist skin vet almost 2 years ago. Turns out the poor wee thing is allergic to lots of things, all environmental. We did try allergy food for him, which didn't work and the specialist told us to stop feeding him as it wouldn't make a difference as his allergies had nothing to do with his diet. He suffered with recurring ear infections, infections between his toes which meant that he would bite his feet red raw and problems at the back end too.

The immunotherapy is great for him. It did take a while for us to figure out the easiest way to inject him but it is the best thing we have ever done for him. We (I) now inject him every three weeks but that will soon go down to every four weeks.

The immunotherapy has worked wonders for us. Occasionally when there is an increase in pine pollen in particular, we need to give him a few days worth of Apoquel tablets/bath his feet in Malaseb but for the most case it is under control.

The effectiveness is for different dogs varies but we have been the lucky ones. It is expensive but our insurance covers it. If it didn't, I would pay for it myself, I'd find the money somewhere. It was so upsetting seeing him go through all the pain and irritation with no end in sight, until we found the immunotherapy. Animal allergies tend to get worse with age, supposedly. I can't even imagine how we would have all coped if he continued to get worse.