Saturday, June 22, 2013

Glacier Peak Allergy Test

I learned about Glacier Peak Allergy Test through a Jindo owner Dr. M introduced. She has a dog with severe itchiness and another with digestive issues. She told me the test help improved both dogs conditions a lot after she changed their diet based on the test results. I was a bit suspicious, since the testing methods aren't that scientific, but decided to give it a try as it is relatively cheap (compare to the many other things I've tried).

I placed the order for the kit on 5/31 through their website and got the package around 6/5. (I found a few cheaper ones online, like from here and here, but after double checking with Glacier Peak, it was confirmed that the cheaper ones only have the food test while the more expensive one has 3 different tests: food, environmental, and beneficial holistic remedies.)

The kit came in an envelope, with instructions, a form to fill out, a return envelope, a comb and some cotton swabs. All I had to do was to fill out the form, collect some hair and place the swabs in Maya's mouth for some saliva. The entire process took less than 10 minutes.

The allergy test kit

Things included in the kit

Hair and saliva samples

I sent the samples back on 6/6 and got a confirmation on 6/8 that they received the mail. And on 6/19, Maya's result came back by email. (I've also uploaded a copy of the PDF here).

Food

Environmental

Beneficial Remedies

Personally, I think the result is quite believable, though part of the result was to sell their products. It kind of echos her blood test result with only flea showing up in the environmental section. Some results also match my own observation, like her "sensitivity" to chicken, eggs, and wheat. However, some really surprised me, like sweet potato, duck and turkey, which I feed regularly. The "Probable Concerns" are also quite valid, as the hotspots on her feet is likely to have yeast infection. It is interesting to see some similarities with our last NAET treatment, which called out Zuke's treat (peanut butter, rice, barley), Nature's Balance cookie (duck, potato), and a soda cracker (wheat).

According to the Jindo owner, food sensitivity may not be the same as allergies. It may not always cause itchiness, but during the seasons when their bodies are weaker, it could start trigger the itchiness and make it look like seasonal allergies.

If the test is accurate, it could explain why none of the elimination diet worked, since sweet potato or potato has always been considered "safe", and never got removed from her diet or treats. For now, I will try to cut out all of the red items, which probably means I can not give her any commercially made food or treats, and I might have a hard time finding enough bones for her diet (since she can't have chicken, turkey or duck and I'm afraid she might break her teeth again on beef or pork bones). I might also look into adding some digestive enzymes.

Regardless, I think this will be a helpful guideline for me to plan Maya's meals. I really really hope this can help improve her conditions.

The total cost -
Test kit: $75.00
Shipping: $2.22
Postage for returning the samples: $0.66

2 comments:

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  2. I am thinking of have Actaeas do this test as well, I am not sure if the redness i saw on him is allergies or not, but they seems really close to what i saw on your pics, do you think this test is worth to try? did you find any progress after you stop giving Maya those food? poor Maya :( I hope he is getting better

    http://ppt.cc/jUW1
    this is what happen on Actaeas


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