We received a free allergy test kit from Affordable Pet Testing; all statements and opinions are entirely our own.
Recently we told you about the Affordable Pet Test we ran for Barli, a test that uses bio-resonance technology to look for allergies to both pet food ingredients and environmental factors. As I mentioned in the first part of this review, the test was super simple to conduct; all I had to do was send in a sample of Barli’s fur for testing.
This week I received via email three documents: food sensitivities, environmental sensitivities, and information on interpreting the test results.
Barli’s environmental sensitivities list was fairly short:
Some of the items such as Beech, Aspen and Larch aren’t ones to which he’s been exposed–or at least not since we adopted him. (We really don’t know anything about Barli’s background before he was picked up by Animal Control.) Elm is definitely something he’s exposed to on a daily basis, as well as clover.
Barli’s food sensitivities list, however, was extensive:
The Level Three items are ones the test explains are “items your pet’s body is rejecting. These can be very noticeable. (i.e. swelling, rashes, diarrhea, etc.)” These are products the test recommends you stop feeding. Many of these aren’t products that Barli has been exposed to but he has had carrots, shellfish, and cheddar cheese. And I do have to say that he had diarrhea following the shrimp he enjoyed…
The Level Two products are ones to feed sparingly; the test explains that these can cause milder responses such as bloating and joint pain. As you can see, cow’s milk is on both the Level Three and Level Two list; the test explains, “If the same food/ environmental item shows up on multiple levels it is very significant and most important. These are the items that you should consider eliminating as soon as possible.”
The Level One list was extensive (and included one item also from the Level Three list: Turnips). These are items that the test explains can still be fed–but be aware that there is sensitivity here.
Now that we have this information, what will we do? We’re going to eliminate a few items and see if the light rash that seems to come and go on Barli’s belly resolves. Affordable Pet Test recommends starting with the Level Three items, eliminating them for three-five weeks. At that time, we can reintroduce the items, one at a time, and watch for any changes. Of the environmental sensitivities, we’ll look for wool (we don’t have any wool rugs but we might have a wool-filled pet bed). On the food list, we’ll eliminate milk products including cheeses then slowly introduce a bit of cheese back into his treat list after a month.
Should you use a fur test to test for your dog’s allergies? This definitely falls under the realm of alternative treatments; if your dog has a worrisome allergy, you will want to talk to your veterinarian about blood tests and intradermal skin testing. If you’re looking for a holistic treatment or you’re just curious about bio-resonance technology, this is an easy, at-home test that only takes a few minutes.
For More Information:
- learn more about the Affordable Pet Test
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