Should I get an allergy test for Luna?

[Starfish]

For almost three years (it started a few months after I got her at about a year of age), Luna has had issues with occasional asthma attacks. Later on, she also started to have bad itching issues that would come and go. During these 'itchies' she would scratch herself so bad that I would find scabs on her and little bald spots as a result. About every few months, the vet would end up giving her another cortisone shot. For almost a year now, I've been feeding her a limited ingredient diet per the vet's advice. She also got another shot before the diet switch.

She was doing well for a couple of months, but after that the scabs have been coming back. Luna gets upset at the vet, so I've tried giving it some time to go away on its own. But it hasn't gotten any better, and it actually seems to have gotten worse. She has at least a couple of scab spots at any given time around her head and neck. I hate seeing her scratch and scratch and feeling all those scabs when I pet her. It's awful.

So, I've made an appointment for her at 4:30 tomorrow to see what they can do. I don't have much reserves at the moment, so I did ask if they took Care Credit in case she needed something costly (they do - I already have it from when I had to take Top Cat to a different vet for his laceration). I have no idea what it would cost if I had them do an allergy test for her, but I think that may be best for her.

[sharky]

depends ... allergy testing when it works is awesome... about 12 yrs ago now I had 500$ plus worth of blood tests done and for that dog they were dead on... for me blood allergy gave zip ....

what type does the vet use ?

allergy tests for my animals now are 40$ or the price of a exam

what limited formula did you try?

[Starfish]

she started on RC duck and green pea, but it's $2 a can, so it was quite expensive to feed long term. So not too long after that, I've found a store that will special order natural balance duck and green pea for me for about half the cost. I did mention this to the vet that saw her last (or was it the trip before last - there are multiple vets at Banfield).

[Starfish]

anybody else have experience with cat allergies?


Her appointment is at 4:30 today and I want to know the right things to ask the vet for her.

[BrookeSphynx]

Are you positive it's a food allergy?

Other things to consider might be a flea allergy or an allergy to something airborne, like pollen. For a severe flea allergy, just one bite could cause Luna to scratch herself that badly.

I had a boy that was severely allergic to oak pollen. During certain times of the year he was perfectly fine, but during season, when the pollen was bad, he would have a terrible time breathing. At times it was so bad, I'd have to enter the house through the garage door to try and keep as much of the outside air from coming into the house. During those times, the only relief he got was from injections at the vet's office. (However, I'm not sure if airborne allergies usually present themselves as skin problems, I just mentioned it because you said Luna has asthma attacks, too.)

Food allergies are most commonly the culprit when it comes to skin problems - just thought I'd mention the other possibilities. It can be terribly frustrating trying to figure out the cause, it's always best to eliminate the allergen whenever possible rather than to keep treating the symptoms, and that sounds like exactly what you're trying to do. Good luck to you and Luna!

[Starfish]

Originally Posted by BrookeSphynx

Are you positive it's a food allergy?

Other things to consider might be a flea allergy or an allergy to something airborne, like pollen. For a severe flea allergy, just one bite could cause Luna to scratch herself that badly.

I had a boy that was severely allergic to oak pollen. During certain times of the year he was perfectly fine, but during season, when the pollen was bad, he would have a terrible time breathing. At times it was so bad, I'd have to enter the house through the garage door to try and keep as much of the outside air from coming into the house. During those times, the only relief he got was from injections at the vet's office. (However, I'm not sure if airborne allergies usually present themselves as skin problems, I just mentioned it because you said Luna has asthma attacks, too.)

Food allergies are most commonly the culprit when it comes to skin problems - just thought I'd mention the other possibilities. It can be terribly frustrating trying to figure out the cause, it's always best to eliminate the allergen whenever possible rather than to keep treating the symptoms, and that sounds like exactly what you're trying to do. Good luck to you and Luna!

thanks. She's back from the vet and there are several options I have to consider now. I am going to start a new thread since it's has to do with more than an allergy test.