Elimination and Challenge Tests in Dogs Showing Positive Reaction to Skin Tests

Abstract

Elimination and challenge tests were performed on skin-test-positive dogs with pruritus. Twenty-seven dogs had slight to moderate pruritus as their main complaint and also had food allergy. They were fed elimination diets for at least three weeks. After the allergic symptoms had lessened, each dog was given a series of three-day challenge diets consisting of a single antigen food. In almost all the cases, elimination diets improved the skin condition, and the results of the skin tests showed good correlation with the elimination and challenge tests. Fourteen of the dogs were allergic to beef, 14 to bread, 12 to eggs, 11 to potatoes, 11 to chicken, 11 to pork, 9 to rice, 8 to tomtoes, 7 to , milk, and 6 to cabbage.