Cat’s Allergy Testing

Owners of cats that suffer from allergies may want to have allergy testing done on their cats or have their veterinarians refer them to a specialist. Some veterinarians may perform RAST serum testing method. Testing and subsequent hyposensitization may lessen a cat’s allergies

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A board-certified veterinary dermatologist in Kansas, Jean Greek, DVM, highly recommends allergy testing and either hyposensitization or avoidance of those allergens to which the cat reacts positively on testing.

The other type of testing is called intradermal, in which minute amounts of potential allergens are injected in the skin and the reactions are measured.

Many times, owners are taught to administer the injections for hyposensitization, and they become quite comfortable with that procedure. Referral to a specialist may be necessary to pursue the diagnostics, but some general practitioners do allergy testing in their practices. Discuss all the options with your veterinarian.