Allergy Lab

Pet Allergy Lab in Quakertown

Allergy Testing & Desensitization Treatment for Dogs & Cats in Sellersville & Beyond

Does your cat or dog suffer from extreme itching, poor skin coat, hair loss, sneezing, or runny eyes? It could be seasonal inhalant allergies.

Since 1998, Quakertown Veterinary Clinic has offered an in-house allergy test from a simple blood sample. In addition, our in-house laboratory can make an allergy desensitizing vaccine specifically for your animal.

If you’d like to learn more about our pet allergy testing in Quakertown and the surrounding Tri-County area, please call us at (215) 515-8810 for small animals, (215) 515-6909 for large animals, or contact us online today.

Seasonal Allergies That Can Affect Pets in Pennsylvania

The following is a list of seasonal activity of pollens that may be affecting your pet:

  • Spring
    • Bayberry
    • Dandelion
    • English Plantain (May/June)
    • Grasses (April/May)
    • Pine mix (until September)
    • Red Sheep Sorrel (May/June)
    • Trees (March through May)
  • Summer
    • Cocklebur (late July until Autumn)
    • Goldenrod (July through October)
    • Lamb's Quarter
    • Marsh Elder (late July until Autumn)
    • Timothy (late June through August)
    • Tobacco Leaf (mid-July through mid-August/year-round in homes with second-hand smoke)
    • Yellow Dock
    • Mugwort (August)
  • Autumn
    • Cocklebur
    • Dandelion
    • Goldenrod (September through October)
    • Kochia
    • Marsh Elder
    • Ragweed (August and September)
    • Pigweed

Additional miscellaneous allergies include house dust mite and sheep wool (symptoms all year-round, including winter). Pets may also be allergic to mold. Symptoms classically start late February/March and continue until November. They can be worse in spring/fall when molds colonize grass clippings and fallen leaves. Symptoms may also be year-round if mold exists in the house.

The Benefits of Blood Testing for Pet Allergies

At Quakertown Veterinary Clinic, we use ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay), a type of blood test, to detect allergies in pets.

There are many benefits of this technique, including that it:

  • Serves as a valuable tool for the diagnosis and treatment of allergic inhalant dermatitis
  • Provides fast, reliable results
  • Is highly convenient with no referrals needed
  • Can lead to available customized hyposensitization vaccines

In addition, the following ELISA and associated immunotherapy results can be expected:

  • 97% high sensitivity (ability to correctly identify positive hypersensitivities)
  • 87% high specific (ability to correctly identify negative hypersensitivities)
  • 83% success rate with immunotherapy based on results of ELISA

Learn about Our Quakertown Pet Allergy Lab Consultant, Dr. Kevin Shanley

Kevin Shanley, DVM, DACVD is the QVC Allergy Lab consultant. Dr. Shanley completed his residency in dermatology at the University of Pennsylvania under the guidance of Dr. Schwartzman and Dr. Bill Miller. He established the first veterinary dermatology practice in the state of Arizona, then returned to the University of Pennsylvania as an assistant professor of veterinary dermatology, where he remained for seven years. He has been a veterinary dermatologist in private specialty practices in the Philadelphia area since 1993. Dr. Shanley has lectured nationally and internationally on a variety of topics related to practicing veterinary dermatology and has published numerous research studies and clinical investigative reports.

Dr. Shanley was an adjunct associate professor in clinical dermatology at the Matthew J. Ryan Veterinary Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania until 2010. His special interests in veterinary dermatology include allergic skin disease, ear diseases, autoimmune skin diseases, and adverse drug reactions affecting the skin of dogs and cats.

Dr. Shanley is a member of the Pennsylvania Veterinary Medical Association, the American Academy of Veterinary Dermatology, the American College of Veterinary Dermatology, and the American Veterinary Medical Association.

Interested in making an appointment with our pet allergy lab in Quakertown? Contact us today to get started! We are happy to accept non-regular clients.
>

Caring for Your Whole Family.

See What Makes Us Different.
  • Open 24/7

    We know that an emergency can happen at any time and that is why we offer 24-hour emergency care for dogs, cats, horses, farm animals & exotic pets.

  • Caring for All Types of Animals

    At Quakertown Veterinary Clinic we are proud to serve all your animals' needs, whether you have a sick horse or a hurt cat, we are ready to care for them.

  • Advanced Technology

    Quakertown Veterinary Clinic is proud to offer state-of-the-art technology to provide your pet with the highest level of care and diagnostic services.

Does Your Pet Need Care?

Real Stories, from Real Owners.

  • “Thank you, Dr. Forsyth”

    - Elaine S.
  • “Great, Caring Service”

    - Shannan DiSanto
  • “Dr. Olivia Newman”

    - Jim Jamison and Allison Bobst