Do bloodtests for allergies work in dogs?

My shih tzu is absolutely miserable. Everyone keeps telling me that "it must be allergies" because of the sneezing, runny nose and watery eyes. Will the pricey tests at the vet's office be accurate?





I'm just not convinced that this is allergy. He has absolutely no skin itching, no hot spots, and no paw issues. He is extremely lethargic, has a runny nose, is extremely clingy to us, and can't seem to get comfortable no matter what.

Do bloodtests for allergies work in dogs?
The allergy tests for animals are a waste of time. Most animals have allergies due to poor diet. A change of diet to a rawdiet or to a really high quaility, grain free wet/canned or kibble will usually make allergies disappear. If you support the immune system properly, then your dog won't suffer from allergies.





I'm not sure if you have taken this dog to a vet, but those are also symptoms of an upper respiratory infection and could be severe... Please take your dog to the vet to make sure this is not an infection. Then if there is no cause other than allergies... switch your dogs food to a better type. It will save you money in the long run by limiting your vet visits.
Reply:Although shih tzus tend to have allergies this does not mean this is what it is. Your dog could have an upper respiratory infection. Your vet can help you determine if this is the case or not. If your dog is allergic you should try antihistimines first. The allergy testing is effective and is accurate but is usually used when allergies are severe and other management is not working. The vet will test for allergies and will have a serum made up especially for you dog that will be given by injection. The serum is also expensive usually running between %26amp;100-150. It varies how long it will last depending on how often your dog needs injections. Ultimately have your dog seen by the vet and he/she can help you determine the best course to go.
Reply:Lethargy is always cause for concern. The sneezing could be due to a foxtail or other object in the nose which can cause an infection. Make sure your vet rules that out.





As for the allergy tests, it depends. If the vet has ruled out injury or other illness, they are probably going to treat the problem with prednisone or antihistamines, so you might ask if you can try a trial of that without the test to see if it helps.
Reply:Yes the allergy test is very acurate. Just because the dog doesn't have itching skin, hot spots, etc does not by any means mean that he doesn't have an allergy. Allergies can manifest themselves in many different ways.