Tests & Therapies
Our tests
We develop and manufacture our own tests to rigorous quality control standards, ensuring that we provide serology results you can trust.
- Simple to use and easy to interpret
- No need to withdraw from most medications
- Less invasive and more time efficient than intradermal skin tests
- Results in as little as 2-4 days*
- Highly specific assays, using monoclonal antibodies for IgE detection
- Supported by numerous peer-reviewed publications
- Evidence-based tests with excellent reproducibility
Environmental Test
By measuring serum IgE antibodies, this test is designed to help identify environmental allergens for avoidance and select those for inclusion in allergen specific immunotherapy (ASIT).
Why test?
- Serological testing enables you to provide additional management and therapeutic options (such as ASIT) for allergy cases
- Only by identifying relevant allergens are you able to offer all long-term solutions
Allergens:
- Grasses
- Weeds
- Trees and shrubs
- Mites and fleas
- Dander
- Moulds
Food Test
The only way to diagnose a food allergy is by conducting a food trial – using our serology test can help select which foods to use for the trial.
This test measures IgG and IgE antibodies against food allergens, and is designed to assist in the selection of novel foods or commercial hydrolysed diets for an elimination diet trial.
Why test?
- Simple results scores aid owner understanding
- Owner engagement promotes stricter compliance
- Increases the chance of a successful diet trial1
Allergens:
- Mammalian, avian and fish protein
- Carbohydrates
- Vegetables
Insect Test
By measuring serum IgE antibodies, this equine-specific test is designed to help identify insect allergens for management changes and for inclusion in allergen specific immunotherapy (ASIT).
Why test?
- Identifying hypersensitivities through testing enables specific management and therapeutic options
- Culicoides hypersensitivity often exists in combination with a hypersensitivity to other biting insects and other allergens
- Different biting insects are active in different months of the year and at different times of the day
Allergens:
- Black Fly
- Mosquito
- Horse Fly
- Stable Fly
- House Fly
- Culicoides
Sarcoptes, Malassezia and Staphylococcus Tests
Sarcoptes Test
Sarcoptes scabiei are difficult to find on skin scrapes which is why detecting exposure by serological IgG testing can be helpful.
Staphylococcus and Malassezia Tests
Serological IgE and IgG testing can help identify cases where Staphylococcus or Malassezia are acting as allergens.
A positive IgE response may indicate a hypersensitivity, and in such cases case you will often see a clinical response disproportionate to the number of organisms found on the dog’s skin.2-5
A positive IgG response can just indicate past exposure to the organism, so is expected, even in clinically healthy dogs. A negative IgG score present in dogs with clear signs of infection may indicate an underlying immunodeficiency.
Our therapies
Treatment of allergic disease can broadly be split into two categories, both of which are equally as important to consider:
- Proactive management – long-term strategies to prevent flare-ups
- Reactive management – immediate treatment of acute symptoms
In the early stages of the diagnosis and disease, it is important to provide both the animal and owner with short term relief from the clinical signs. However, it’s crucial not to forget the need for a long-term strategy for this lifelong condition. A flexible and multi-modal approach, which includes a method for controlling the primary disease, is the best option for achieving sustained success.
Allergen specific immunotherapy remains the only therapy capable of modifying the natural course of a pre-existing hypersensitivity, resulting in the establishment of long-term clinical tolerance6,7.
Allergen-Specific Immunotherapy - tailor-made for each patient
Allergen-specific immunotherapy is a proven, effective treatment for allergies. Over time, injected allergens stimulate the immune system with the aim of reaching immunological tolerance. This type of therapy is recommended by The International Committee on Allergic Diseases of Animals (ICADA), and is widely used by dermatologists to target the root cause of allergy.
Key Points:
- Available for dogs, cats and horses
- 50-80% efficacy rate8-10
- Safe for long-term use
- Easy and quick to administer
- Cost effective
- Delivered with in 12-15 working days
Administration and dosage:
- Maximum of 8 allergens per vial
- Administered by subcutaneous injection
- Loading regime over 12 weeks
- Monthly maintenance dose of 1ml
- One vial of therapy lasts for 10 months
- Therapy can be given at home by owner where appropriate
Staphage Lysate® - a long-term solution for recurrent canine pyoderma
Staphage Lysate® is indicated for the treatment of recurrent idiopathic canine pyoderma or in cases with related staphylococcal hypersensitivity. In non-allergic dogs with a staphylococcal infection the bacteriophage lyses and destroys the staphylococcus bacteria, decreasing colonisation and infection. In dogs with a staphylococcal infection with concurrent allergies the therapy has a dual action; firstly, lysing and destroying the staphylococcus bacteria and secondly decreasing the immune response to staphylococci helping to bring the hypersensitivity response under control.
Key Points:
- Recommended by veterinary dermatologists
- 77% efficacy rate11
- Can help reduce the need for repeat courses of antibiotics
- Can reduce the risk of antibiotic resistance
- Quick and easy to administer
- Cost effective
- Delivered within 10 working days
Administration and dosage:
- Administered by subcutaneous injection
- Non-allergic dose protocol for patients with no hypersensitivity
- Allergic dose protocol for patients with related hypersensitivity
- Loading regime over 10-12 weeks
- Long-term maintenance dose tailored to patient
- To be administered by veterinary surgeon using sterile technique
References
- Jackson HA, Jackson MW, Coblentz L & Hammerberg B. (2003) Evaluation of the clinical and allergen-specific serum immunoglobulin E responses to oral challenge with corn-starch, corn, soy and a soy hydrolysate diet in dogs with spontaneous food allergy. Vet Derm 14(4):181-7.
- Morales CA, Schultz KT and DeBoer DJ Antistaphylococcal antibodies in dogs with recurrent staphylococcal pyoderma. Veterinary Immunology and Immunopathology 1994; 42: 137- 1476.
- Chen T, Halliwell REW, Pemberton AD et al. Identification of major allergens of Malassezia pachydermatis in dogs with atopic dermatitis and Malassezia overgrowth. Veterinary Dermatology 2002, 13: 141–1507.
- Bexley J, Nuttall TJ, Hammerberg B et al. Serum anti-Staphylococcus pseudintermedius IgE and IgG antibodies in dogs with atopic dermatitis and nonatopic dogs. Vet Dermatol. 2013; 24: 19-24.e5-6.
- Morris DO and DeBoer DJ. Evaluation of serum obtained from atopic dogs with dermatitis attributable to Malassezia pachydermatis for passive transfer of immediate hypersensitivity to that organism. American Journal of Veterinary Research 2003, 64: 262-266.
- Griffin CE and Hillier A (2001). The ACVD task force on canine atopic dermatitis (XXIV): allergen-specific immunotherapy, Veterinary Immunology and Immunopathology; 81(3-4): 363-383.
- Fischer NM, Rostaher A and Favrot C (2019). Allergen-specific immunotherapy in dogs with atopic dermatitis: a comparison of subcutaneous, intralymphatic and sublingual administration. In: Proceedings of the 31st Annual Congress of the European Society and College of Veterinary Dermatology, Liverpool, 2019.
- Jackson, H.A. & Mueller, R.S (2007). Atopic dermatitis and adverse food reactions. In: BSAVA Manual of Canine and Feline Dermatology, 3rd ed. BSAVA, Gloucester, UK, 130-140.
- JH Carlotti et al. (2013). A retrospective survey of the results of allergen-specific immunotherapy in 205 atopic dogs in Aquitaine, France (1989-2001). Prat Med Chir Anim Comp, 48: 41-7.
- Nuttall et al. (1998). Retrospective survey of allergen immunotherapy in canine atopy. Veterinary Record, 143: 139-142.
- DeBoer DJ, Moriello KA, Thomas CB, Schultz KT. (1990) Evaluation of a commercial staphylococcal bacterin for management of idiopathic recurrent superficial pyoderma in dogs. AM J Vet Res, 51(4): 636-9.
* for details of all turnaround times please see our submission form