Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Survey of intradermal skin testing practices in North America.
- Journal:
- Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association
- Year:
- 1989
- Authors:
- DeBoer, D J
- Affiliation:
- Department of Medical Sciences
Plain-English summary
Veterinarians often diagnose allergic skin diseases in pets, especially those caused by things they breathe in, like pollen or dust. One common way to diagnose these allergies is through a test called intradermal skin testing (IDST), which can lead to a treatment that helps reduce allergic reactions. A recent survey of veterinarians in the U.S. and Canada found that there isn't a standard way of performing this test, and practices vary quite a bit among different vets. Most veterinarians agreed with past studies about the effectiveness of the test and the treatment that follows. Overall, the findings highlight the need for more consistency in how these tests are done.
Abstract
Allergic skin diseases are commonly diagnosed by veterinarians. Inhalant-related allergic diseases are especially prevalent in companion animal species. Intradermal skin testing (IDST) is the usual method for diagnosis of these syndromes, and is often followed by hyposensitization treatment if an animal reacts to substances during testing. A mail survey of veterinarians in the United States and Canada was conducted to determine current procedures in use for IDST and opinions on results of IDST and hyposensitization. Results of the survey indicate that IDST procedures are not currently standardized and that there is wide variation in the methods used. Opinion regarding results of skin testing and hyposensitization was largely in agreement with previously published patient studies.
Find similar cases for your pet
PetCaseFinder finds other peer-reviewed reports of pets with the same symptoms, plus a plain-English summary of what was tried across them.
Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2584099/