If you’re experiencing allergy symptoms and live in one of the 87 million U.S. households that own a pet,1 you may want to know if dog or cat allergies are to blame. The Labcorp OnDemand Dog and Cat Allergy Test measures immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies to assess your sensitivity to certain allergens (substances that can cause an allergic reaction) found in the dander, saliva and urine of cats and dogs.
Note: Having measurable IgE for a particular allergen does not guarantee that you will have an allergic reaction when exposed to it. In general, higher IgE levels are associated with a greater chance of having a true allergy but do not predict how severe your allergic symptoms could be.2
IgE testing is not considered sufficient to diagnose an allergy on its own.3 Results from this test should be interpreted in the context of your medical history with a healthcare provider or an allergist. Results should be shared and discussed with a healthcare professional before making an allergy diagnosis.
Preparation: No special preparation needed.
It can feel overwhelming to try to avoid all possible triggers of your allergy symptoms. Before you consider rehoming or avoiding animals, learn which pet(s) may be causing allergy symptoms. For example, some people are allergic to male dogs but not female dogs.
This blood-based pet allergy test can help you and your healthcare provider determine if a furry pet is causing allergy symptoms.
This Dog and Cat Allergy Test can help you and your healthcare provider work together on a plan for managing your symptoms, which may include over-the-counter or prescription medications or strategies for avoiding certain allergens.
1. Forbes Advisor. Pet Ownership Statistics 2023. Updated June 21, 2023. Accessed August 11, 2023. https://www.forbes.com/advisor/pet-insurance/pet-ownership-statistics/
2. Waserman S, Bégin P, Watson W. IgE-mediated food allergy. Allergy Asthma Clin Immunol. 2018 Sep 12;14(Suppl 2):55. doi: 10.1186/s13223-018-0284-3.
3. World Allergy Organization. IgE in Clinical Allergy and Allergy Diagnosis. Updated July 2015. Accessed December 19, 2022. https://www.worldallergy.org/education-and-programs/education/allergic-disease-resource-center/professionals/ige-in-clinical-allergy-and-allergy-diagnosis
<p>1. Forbes Advisor. Pet Ownership Statistics 2023. Updated June 21, 2023. Accessed August 11, 2023. <a title="Pet Ownership Statistics 2024" href="https://www.forbes.com/advisor/pet-insurance/pet-ownership-statistics/" target="_blank">https://www.forbes.com/advisor/pet-insurance/pet-ownership-statistics/</a></p> <p>2. Waserman S, Bégin P, Watson W. IgE-mediated food allergy. Allergy Asthma Clin Immunol. 2018 Sep 12;14(Suppl 2):55. doi: 10.1186/s13223-018-0284-3.</p> <p>3. World Allergy Organization. IgE in Clinical Allergy and Allergy Diagnosis. Updated July 2015. Accessed December 19, 2022. <a href="https://www.worldallergy.org/education-programs/education/adrc" target="_blank" title="Allergic Diseases Resource Center">https://www.worldallergy.org/education-and-programs/education/allergic-disease-resource-center/professionals/ige-in-clinical-allergy-and-allergy-diagnosis</a></p>
Level of immunoglobulin E (IgE), which is a type of antibody produced by the immune system in response to exposure to allergens (substances that can cause an allergic reaction), such as dog dander.
If the test finds that you are sensitized to dog dander, further testing is automatically performed (at no additional cost) to find out which specific proteins may be causing your allergy symptoms. These specific proteins can be found in a dog’s dander, saliva or urine. If Dog Dander IgE is ≥0.35 kU/L, Can f 1 IgE, Can f 2 IgE, Can f 3 IgE and Can f 5 IgE will be performed.
Level of immunoglobulin E (IgE), which is a type of antibody produced by the immune system in response to exposure to allergens (substances that can cause an allergic reaction), such as cat dander.
If the test finds that you are sensitized to cat dander, further testing is automatically performed (at no additional cost) to find out which specific proteins may be causing your allergy symptoms. These specific proteins can be found in cat’s dander, saliva or urine. If Cat Dander IgE is ≥0.35 kU/L, Fel d 1 IgE, Fel d 2 IgE and Fel d 4 IgE will be performed.
View your easy-to-read results online in your Labcorp Patient™ account, including Linked Accounts. For certain results that require prompt attention, you will also be contacted by phone or mail.
Like other allergy blood tests, the Labcorp OnDemand Dog and Cat Allergy Test can determine whether you are sensitive to dog and cat allergens. But our blood test doesn’t stop there. If the test finds that you’re sensitized to cat or dog allergens, further testing is automatically performed (at no additional cost) to identify the exact proteins within each allergen that may be causing your symptoms.
This deeper look at the proteins within an allergen is called component testing and provides a much clearer picture of your sensitivity to allergens. For example, some people are allergic to unneutered (intact) male dogs but not female or neutered dogs, and this can only be determined by looking more closely at these specific proteins. This level of specificity can help you choose the right pet and can allow you to work with your healthcare provider to develop an effective allergy action plan.
NOTE: If total dog or cat dander IgE antibody is not detected (<0.35 kU/L), no additional testing will be performed.
Individuals with a dog or cat allergy are sensitized to one or more allergens found in the animals’ dander, saliva and urine. If you have a pet allergy, you may experience allergy symptoms when exposed to pet allergens.
If you’re sensitized to dog or cat allergens, you may be experiencing the following:
More serious cases can trigger breathing difficulties and asthma attacks that can result in an emergency room visit.
Results from this IgE blood test identify whether you are sensitive to dog or cat allergens and can help your healthcare provider determine whether your symptoms may be caused by sensitivity to dog or cat allergens.
Your test results will show your IgE antibody level to the allergens tested on a scale from negative to very high (numbers ranging from <0.10 to > 100).
If there is no detectable level of IgE antibodies (negative is <0.10) or an equivocal/low level (0.10 to 0.31), then you are unlikely sensitized or allergic to that allergen.
The higher the IgE level typically indicates the presence of an allergy, with generally more allergy symptoms when exposed to the specific allergen.
If you are sensitized to these allergens, the test results will also include the specific proteins you’re sensitized to. Share your test results with your healthcare provider or allergist to come up with an allergy action plan and identify strategies to help you avoid the allergen.
People who are allergic to specific allergens develop IgE antibodies to those allergens. IgE is a protective blood protein that is produced when you’re exposed to a substance that your body views as a threat. Therefore, measurable IgE may indicate the presence of an allergy.
Pet allergens contain certain proteins in dander (flecks of skin shed by pets), urine, and saliva. If you have a pet allergy, your immune system overreacts to an allergen (cat or dog) by producing IgE antibodies. These antibodies travel to cells that release chemicals, causing an allergic reaction. This reaction usually causes symptoms in the nose, lungs, throat, gut or on the skin.
If you suspect a dog or cat allergy, share your test results with your healthcare provider or allergist, who will take your family and medical history, and use this information to determine if an allergy exists.
Your testing will be performed in a CLIA-certified clinical laboratory. Labcorp provides leading-edge medical laboratory tests and services through a national network of primary clinical laboratories and specialty testing laboratories. Our labs perform regular quality assurance testing to ensure our results are accurate.
