Question submitted by the audience in our recent webinar: "The Itchy Dog":
I understand North Highland Westies are a major breed for allergies. Is that true? If yes - what can I do about skin irritation? I had a forty item allergy test done with no reactions yet it is costing me $100+ a month for meds and food.
Answer by: Andrew Hillier, BVSc, MANZCVS, DACVD
Most terrier breeds are predisposed to developing allergies – I have not seen any data or information pertaining to North Highland Westies in particular. As I mentioned in the broadcast, allergy tests are poorly named – they do not define whether a dog has allergies or not. In other words there are dogs that are allergic that have negative allergy tests, just as seems to be the case with your dog. Unfortunately, diagnosis, treatment and monitoring of dogs with a variety of allergic diseases takes time, is an ongoing experience and there are costs involved. Be sure to discuss with your veterinarian all possible options to try and find what works best for your dog and for you.
