Managing allergies in pets can be a long road, both emotionally and financially, for many families. Cooper, a now 4-year-old Golden Retriever, has helped our clinic explore and refine allergy treatment approaches, allowing us to better support our clients navigating similar challenges.
A Lifelong Patient
Cooper has been part of our clinic family since his 8-week vaccinations. Around 18 months of age, he began showing classic signs of allergies: red, inflamed paws, persistent itching, and a distinct odour. His initial management plan included Apoquel, a commonly prescribed allergy medication, costing around $3.90 per day. While Apoquel provided fast symptom relief, we knew it was only suppressing the allergic response, not resolving the root cause.
Trying Cytopoint
Because Cooper wasn’t fond of tablets, his treatment was transitioned to Cytopoint, an injectable option costing about $6.70 per day (administered every 6 weeks). This helped reduce symptoms effectively but, again, didn’t get to the underlying cause of his allergies.
Digging Deeper: Is It Food or Environment?
The next step was to determine whether Cooper’s allergies were food-related or environmental. This distinction is critical, as it shapes the entire management approach.
Food trials are currently the most reliable way to rule out food allergies. Blood tests for food allergens often yield inconsistent results, as the body may not respond predictably. We began Cooper’s trial with Adore Loyal, a high-quality, single-protein kibble priced similarly to brands like Acana (~$4 per day). Unfortunately, this hypoallergenic diet didn’t resolve his symptoms.
Environmental Allergy Testing
Given his symptoms seemed to vary with the seasons, we pursued environmental allergy testing. While not inexpensive ($490), this test helped us identify mild to moderate dust mite allergies. However, the results weren’t conclusive enough to justify long-term immunotherapy.
Finding the Right Food: Hill’s Derm Complete
Returning to food as a potential trigger, we tried Hill’s Derm Complete—a veterinary-exclusive diet formulated to address both environmental and food-related skin conditions. Cooper wasn’t impressed at first (his mom joked that it was like trading steak for an omelette), but over time, he adapted.
He remained on Apoquel while transitioning to Derm Complete, which allowed us to monitor his response. As his symptoms improved, we gradually reduced and eventually discontinued Apoquel entirely. Strict adherence to the food trial was key—no treats or table scraps, despite the challenges of living in a busy household with four kids!
Today, Cooper is symptom-free without the need for any allergy medications. He thrives on Hill’s Derm Complete kibble with a little wet food added as a treat. The food costs $192 for a 60-day supply (~$3.20 per day), making it one of the most cost-effective long-term options we’ve explored.
Every Dog Is Different
Not all dogs will respond the same way to treatments, diets, or medications—what works for one may not work for another. Cooper’s story is one of successful management, built through trial, error, and persistence. His case reminds us that with the right approach, many pets can live comfortably, symptom-free, and without ongoing reliance on medication.
What We’ve Learned (And How We Can Help You)
Cooper’s case has been instrumental in helping us explore, test, and understand the evolving landscape of allergy management. We now offer:
- Guided food trials
- Environmental allergy testing
- Monthly payment options for allergy medications
- Ongoing support and monitoring
If your pet is struggling with allergies, we’re here to help. Reach out to discuss your pet’s history and explore a treatment path that works for your family, both medically and financially.