FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

According to published data, antihistamines, cyclosporine, oclacitinib (Apoquel®), and lokivetmab (Cytopoint®) do not affect IgE levels. Therefore, discontinuing these medications prior to performing serological allergy testing is not necessary.

Glucocorticoids can distort test results, particularly when using depot formulations, higher doses, or prolonged therapy.

When short-acting oral steroids are administered at a dose of up to 1 mg/kg/day for no longer than 2 months, discontinuation of therapy before testing is not required.*

*Olivry T, Saridomichelakis M. Evidence-based guidelines for anti-allergic drug withdrawal times before allergen-specific intradermal testing and IgE serological tests in dogs for the International Task Force on Allergic Diseases of Animals (ICADA). Veterinary Dermatology 2013; 24: 225-249.

• Age of the animal: Testing is recommended in animals older than one year.
• Steroid medications.
• A small percentage of animals do not produce high IgE concentrations. In such cases, wait until symptoms worsen and collect a blood sample 15 days later. If symptoms are seasonal, the test should be repeated during that period.
• Atopic dermatitis.

A fasting blood draw is recommended but not required, as lipids and glucose have little impact on the test results.

It is recommended to perform the test in animals older than one year. Only after this time is the immune system fully developed and has had the opportunity to encounter all seasonal allergens.
If testing is performed in an animal up to one year of age, it should be taken into account that the result may change later and may not be entirely reliable for preparing an immunotherapy plan.

Yes. As a result of an allergic reaction, the body produces IgE regardless of the system from which the symptoms originate.

• For animals with IgE-mediated food allergies (those that show an immediate reaction after an oral food challenge),
• To identify allergenic cross-reactions,
• To determine the order of product introduction during an elimination diet,
• To identify foods that are unlikely to trigger immediate reactions.

Highly sensitive animals may develop hypersensitivity to new allergens over time. An animal that initially tests negative for food allergens may develop an allergy later on. A worsening of symptoms after an initially good response to desensitization may indicate the development of an allergy to a new allergen.

No. This is due to the technology used, which relies on plates coated with allergens that cannot be modified on an individual basis.

No, a written differentiation request is sufficient. The original sample is stored for at least three months.

This is not necessary. IgE antibodies remain stable up to 56 °C.

It usually takes 7–14 working days. The results are delivered electronically as a PDF file.

With the latest PAX technology, neither hemolysis nor lipemia affects the test results.

With the current PAX technology, only 0.5 ml of serum is required for the test.

Yes. In January, approximately 20% fewer positive results were observed compared to the same patients during the summer months.

When the animal is showing clinical skin symptoms. To allow enough time for antibody production, the test should be performed at least one week—ideally about two weeks—after symptom onset.

For seasonal allergies, the optimal sampling time is no earlier than two weeks after the start of the relevant pollen season and/or when the pet’s symptoms worsen.
For non-seasonal allergies, the optimal timing is at least two weeks after the onset of the allergic flare.

Hyposensitization can be started at any time; however, the preferred timing is about nine months before the expected worsening of symptoms.

To avoid an increase in possible side effects, at least one week should pass between hyposensitization and vaccination.