Allergy Test: The RAST Test

Allergy Test: The Test: "How is it used?
The allergen-specific IgE antigen test is done to screen for an allergy (a type I hypersensitivity) to a specific substance or substances in response to acute or chronic allergy-like symptoms in the patient.

The allergen-specific IgE antibody test may be done (instead of other medically supervised allergy testing) when the patient has significant dermatitis or eczema, is taking necessary histamines or anti-depressants that would make other testing more difficult, or if a dangerous allergic reaction could be expected to follow another test.

The allergen-specific IgE antibody test may also be done to monitor immunotherapy or to see if a child has outgrown an allergy, although it can only be used in a general way; the level of IgE present does not correlate to the severity of an allergic reaction, and someone who has outgrown an allergy may have a positive IgE for many years afterward."
--this test may or may not prove what ails your bulldog, I'd try dietary changes before expensive testing.
www.bulldoghealth.com

Living Naturally

Living Naturally: "Cater to Your Pet with more than just Kibble

Posted: 7/19/2006 1:27:00 PM

Variety is the spice of life. All things in moderation. Most people hear these familiar sayings and incorporate these ideas into their dietary habits by choosing from a wide variety of different foods every day. Yet when it comes to our pets, many of us simply open a bag of dry kibble or a can of wet food. We feed our pet the same diet, day after day, because it is convenient and inexpensive. But for optimum health, our companion animals should also be enjoying a varied diet rich in fresh meats, vegetables, grains and even fruit. Varying your pet�s diet doesn�t mean you have to devote hours to becoming a gourmet pet chef and cooking all your pet�s meals at home, but there are some simple and tasty ways to improve your pet�s health and longevity.

First, to get an idea about what is really in your pet�s current food, look at the ingredient list on the bag of pet food in the pantry or on the supermarket shelf. The first ingredient is typically some kind of �meal� such as lamb meal, chicken meal or meat-and-by-product meal. This �meal� is actually a ground mixture of parts of the animal which is not considered fit for human consumption, including byproducts of slaughterhouse production of meats and waste products such as intestines, beaks and bone. Considering that cats and dogs in the wild would catch and eat their prey whole, this is not a fundamental problem, except that sanitary conditions in slaughterhouses are not regulated concerning these waste parts. So they may contain disease and contaminants including antibiotics, hormones and drugs used to anesthetize the animals before slaughter. In the process of making the �meal,� the components ar"
--read the rest of the article by clicking on the title; find out more about bulldog health at BulldogHealth.com

Cushings Disease

Living Naturally: "Cushing�s disease, a glandular disorder that causes the overproduction of the hormone cortisol and, consequently, obesity, muscle weakness, osteoporosis and other conditions. �Many vets mistake Cushing�s for liver disease,� says Messonnier, �because there are similarities in blood-test results.� He suggested several natural therapies such as a whole-foods diet, a multivitamin supplement, an herbal supplement and a glandular support formula. "
--click the link in the title to read the entire article!
Jan http://www.bulldoghealth.com