Since blood and skin tests are not useful in diagnosing food allergies in your pet, our veterinary dermatologists will employ an elimination diet trial if they suspect that your pet's offending allergens are in his or her food. This presentation will explain the process of a diet trial, as performed by the doctors of Animal Dermatology Center of Chicago.

1. Food AllergiesandHypoallergenic Diets 3123 North Clybourn Ave. Chicago, IL 60618 p. 773.281.7522 f. 773.281.1375 www.itchypetchicago.com

3. Chicken

4. Fish

6. Wheat

7. SoyInteresting fact: Problem onset usually has nothing to do with a diet change. Most animals have been eating the food for 2 or more years before any signs or symptoms emerge! 3123 North Clybourn Ave. Chicago, IL 60618 p. 773.281.7522 f. 773.281.1375 www.itchypetchicago.com

8. Common Signs and Symptoms of Food Allergies Food allergies may also present with more unusual signs and symptoms. 3123 North Clybourn Ave. Chicago, IL 60618 p. 773.281.7522 f. 773.281.1375 www.itchypetchicago.com

10. If this item is part of the pet’s daily diet, the clinical signs will persist year round.

11. If the food item is only eaten during certain times of the year, then signs may only persist during that time.3123 North Clybourn Ave. Chicago, IL 60618 p. 773.281.7522 f. 773.281.1375 www.itchypetchicago.com

13. Blood tests and skin tests are not useful in diagnosing food allergies.

14. Veterinary dermatologists use “diet trials” to diagnose food allergies.3123 North Clybourn Ave. Chicago, IL 60618 p. 773.281.7522 f. 773.281.1375 www.itchypetchicago.com

15. Diet Trial: 101 During your pet’s diet trial, he or she will only be permitted to eat certain limited-ingredient foods that have been prescribed by your veterinary dermatologist. This restricted diet will require a commitment from all members of the pet’s household and will last approximately 8 to 12 weeks, depending on your pet’s response. Oftentimes, allergies may produce secondary infections of yeast or bacteria. These secondary problems must be treated during the time of the diet trial. Your veterinary dermatologist will monitor your pet’s progress closely. When appropriate, your veterinary dermatologist will provide instructions for challenging the results of the diet trial. 3123 North Clybourn Ave. Chicago, IL 60618 p. 773.281.7522 f. 773.281.1375 www.itchypetchicago.com

17. A diet that contains ONE protein source and ONE carbohydrate source must be fed EXCLUSIVELY for the prescribed trial period.

18. No other foods allowed! During the trial period, your pet will not be permitted to have treats, table scraps, rawhides, or flavored chewable medications (such as beef-flavored heartworm preventative tablets).

19. Hypoallergenic Diets: Foods that are considered to be hypoallergenic are those that contain protein and carbohydrate sources that have never been eaten by your pet. They are considered to be hypoallergenic because your pet’s body will not have developed an allergy to something it has never encountered.3123 North Clybourn Ave. Chicago, IL 60618 p. 773.281.7522 f. 773.281.1375 www.itchypetchicago.com

21. Tap water is typically permitted. However, in cases of extreme allergy, distilled water may be deemed necessary.

22. If the diet trial is compromised in any way, the 8 to 12 week trial period must be started over again.3123 North Clybourn Ave. Chicago, IL 60618 p. 773.281.7522 f. 773.281.1375 www.itchypetchicago.com

23. Hypoallergenic Diets The actual ingredients in your pet’s hypoallergenic diet will be determined by what food ingredients that your pet has already been exposed to. Your veterinary dermatologist will spend time with you to establish a list of ingredients from your pet’s former diets. Lamb, rice, and fish are in many commercial diets. Therefore, these ingredient will not likely be used in your pet’s diet trial. 3123 North Clybourn Ave. Chicago, IL 60618 p. 773.281.7522 f. 773.281.1375 www.itchypetchicago.com

24. Introducing Your Pet’s New Diet New diets should be introduced slowly over a 4 to 5 day period by mixing the new diet with the former diet. Gradually, you will mix more of the new diet and less of the old diet. You will do this until you are no longer using any of the former diet. The first day without any portion of the former diet will be considered the first day of your pet’s diet trial. 3123 North Clybourn Ave. Chicago, IL 60618 p. 773.281.7522 f. 773.281.1375 www.itchypetchicago.com

25. After your prescribed period is complete, your veterinary dermatologist will “challenge” the results of your pet’s diet trial. This challenge period is required in order to produce DEFINITIVE diagnosis of your pet’s food allergies. If the final results of this trial produce a diagnosis for your pet, you can move forward with the management of your pet’s allergies. The diet that has been prescribed for your pet by your veterinary dermatologist must be adhered to for the duration of your pet’s life. If your pet’s diet trial does not produce results, the doctors of Animal Dermatology Center of Chicago are prepared to continue working with your pet until diagnosis, management, and/or treatment have all been achieved successfully. 3123 North Clybourn Ave. Chicago, IL 60618 p. 773.281.7522 f. 773.281.1375 www.itchypetchicago.com

26. This informative presentation has been brought to you by the doctors and staff of Animal Dermatology Center of Chicago. For any questions or concerns regarding your pet’s food allergies or any other dermatologic condition, please contact us! email@itchypetchicago.com www.itchypetchicago.com Phone: 773.281.7522 Fax: 773.281.1375 Animal Dermatology Center of Chicago FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/ItchyPetChicago TWITTER: @ItchyPetChicago 3123 North Clybourn Ave. Chicago, IL 60618 p. 773.281.7522 f. 773.281.1375 www.itchypetchicago.com