Cat and Dog Allergy Panel

This IgE allergy test uses a small blood sample to determine if you are allergic to Cat and/or Dog Dander.

Dander consists of dead skin cells and particles shed by animals. You do not have to pet a cat or dog to have an allergic reaction to their dander because it is microscopic-- Dander can land on surfaces or remain in clothing and bedding until thoroughly cleaned. It can also be breathed in and cause respiratory issues. Cat and dog dander are common allergies that tend to cause itchy or watery eyes or skin to breakout in rashes or hives. More serious cat and dog dander allergic reactions can result in respiratory afflictions like difficulty breathing or asthma.

Approximately 30-37% of all households in the United States have a cat and 37-47% of all households in the United States have a dog, so testing for allergies to cat and dog dander is important.

Tips to help rid your home of pet dander and hair if you or a loved one has a cat or dog allergy:

• Vacuum all carpeted areas often and steam clean any fabrics that you can (couches, drapes, curtains, bedding, etc).
• Add an air purifier with HEPA-grade filter to rooms that you spend the most time in with the pet.
• Consider keeping the cat or dog out of the allergic individual's bedroom. Because people spend one-third to half of their time in their bedroom on average, removing pets from that room can significantly cut down on your time around pet allergens.
• Bathe your pet frequently to reduce the amount of dander and hair, and/or brush them often. Consider wearing a dust mask when doing so if you have pet allergies.

• No painful skin pricks
• No fasting necessary
• Accurate results within 1 to 2 days

Traditional allergy tests utilize the Skin Prick method (also known as a Puncture or Scratch test) to determine whether an allergic reaction will occur by inserting possible triggers into your skin using a needle prick. If you are allergic to the substance, you are forced to suffer through your body's reaction to the allergen. HealthLabs.com offers an easier, virtually pain-free blood test to determine the allergen status of substances without the irritation of traditional skin prick tests.

Our quick blood test allows us to use your blood sample to test for allergic reactions externally, rather than causing unnecessary and painful reactions by introducing potential allergens to your system. Tests are administered in approximately 10 minutes or less at any of our 4,500+ nationwide locations. No appointments, no paperwork and no waiting are all part of what makes HealthLabs.com the best option for pain-free and hassle-free allergy testing.

Pet adoption can still be an option for many individuals with allergies:

1. Just in case. Have preventative medications on-hand, such as fast-acting antihistamines or inhalers.
2. Take it slow. Begin with limited contact, like touching the pet with one hand, then wait to gauge your reaction. Some allergic reactions are immediate, while others may take time.
3. Consider a female or neutered male. Both female animals and males who have been neutered for at least 2 months have less active sebaceous glands and therefore produce fewer protein allergens. Non-neutered male pets have larger amounts of these secretions and are often more allergenic.
4. Smaller size = less allergens. Smaller pets have less fur and dander than larger pets just because of their size. Consider adopting an animal that will remain small, like a lap dog or a cat.
5. Wide variety. If certain animals or breeds of pets seem to set off your allergies more than others, look around for ones that do not. Long-haired pets might make you react differently than their short-haired counterparts.
6. Hypoallergenic pets. Some breeds of cats and dogs DO cause fewer allergic reactions for many people. Do research on various hypoallergenic breeds.
7. Give it time. As with many allergens, pet allergens can become more and more mild overtime. Increasing time and exposure to animals that cause allergies can help lessen them for many people.

Here are some more popular tests:

• Comprehensive Metabolic Panel
• Standard Health Test
• Immunization & Titer Detection Testing
• Cholesterol / Lipid Test
• STD Testing

Use our lab locator to get started today.