Allergic diseases in dogs and cats, such as Atopic Dermatitis and Atopic Syndrome, have been confirmed to result from multiple contributing factors, with a prevalence as high as 12.5%–15% (1)(2). In addition to allergens themselves, other causes include genetic predisposition, immune system imbalances, environmental conditions, diet, routines, and stress. These conditions are often lifelong and require medical intervention. From a pet care and management perspective, avoiding food allergens and minimizing exposure to environmental allergens are among the most effective ways for pet owners to improve their pets' quality of life on a daily basis.

(1)Y Drechsler. Canine Atopic Dermatitis: Prevalence, Impact, and Management Strategies. Vet Med (Auckl). 2024
(2)Bajwa J. Atopic dermatitis in cats. Can Vet J. 2018

An allergy refers to an abnormal and exaggerated immune response to substances that are typically harmless. The symptoms of allergic reactions can affect multiple body systems. Among allergic diseases, a common type is the IgE (Immunoglobulin E)-mediated acute allergic reaction. When an individual is exposed to an allergen, immune cells initiate a cascade of responses that trigger the release of IgE and various inflammatory mediators such as histamine and leukotrienes. These substances contribute to a range of clinical symptoms, including skin redness, itching, hair loss, hyperpigmentation, respiratory allergies, and gastrointestinal discomfort.

Substances that trigger allergic reactions are called allergens. In the case of environmental and food allergens, proteins are the primary components that stimulate the production of Immunoglobulin E (IgE). Common environmental allergens include dust mites, pollen, and fungi, while animal- and plant-derived proteins found in food can also act as allergens that lead to clinical symptoms.

When your pet is diagnosed with an allergic condition, it is important to understand that this may be a lifelong immune-related disease requiring ongoing attention. However, with proper medical interventions—such as allergen-specific immunotherapy for environmental allergens, elimination of food allergens, as well as the use of appropriate supplements and environmental management—your pet’s quality of life can be significantly improved. These measures can help reduce the stress and burden experienced by both pet and owner.

72 Specific Allergens – Environmental (29 items) / Food (43 items)
Helping you identify the causes of your pet’s allergic reactions. The panel includes the following items:

Mite   
• B. t mite • D. p mite • D. f mite • A. s mite • T. p mite
Fungi/Bacteria  
• C. herbarum • C. albicans • A. alternata • P. notatum • A. fumigatus • M. pachydermatis • S. aureus
Insecta/Arachnida
• Black Ant • Tick • Flea • Mosquito • Cockroach
Pollen
• Eucalyptus • Kentucky blue grass • Pigweed • Sheep sorrel • Ragweed • Acacia • Bermuda grass • Paper mulberry
Hair/Epithelia
• Mixed feathers • Cattle epithelia • Goat epithelia • Cat dander/Dog Hair
Milk/Egg
• Cheese • Egg white • Egg yolk • Cow's milk
Yeast/Others
• Baker's Yeast • Brewer's Yeast • Flaxseed
Meat
• Duck • Lamb • Beef • Chicken • Turkey • Pork
Seafood
• Crab • Shrimp • Mackerel • Sardine • Anchovy • Codfish • Salmon • Tuna
Fruit/Vegetable
• Watermelon • Cantaloupe/Melon • Pear • Mandarin • Orange • Apple • Banana • Guava
• Carrot • Potato • Corn • Sweet potato • Pumpkin/Squash • Broccoli • Cabbage • Pea • Tomato • Seeweed
• Soybean • Peanut • Wheat • Rice

If food is suspected to be the cause of allergic symptoms, it is recommended to follow up with an elimination diet trial.

Excelsior Bio-System has developed a diagnostic chip tailored to regional allergen profiles, covering 72 common allergens found in Taiwan. The technology works by immobilizing allergenic proteins onto a slide-based platform, serving as probes. Through the specific binding of antigens and antibodies, the presence of allergen-specific IgE in blood samples can be detected. The level of sensitization is then assessed using fluorescence signals.

EBS's allergen chip utilizes microarray technology, miniaturizing traditional ELISA reactions into a matrix smaller than 2.5 cm². This allows for high-throughput processing with minimal sample volume in a shorter time. Compared to the colorimetric readout of traditional ELISA, the fluorescence-based detection used by Excelsior provides significantly higher sensitivity.

Excelsior Bio-System will issue the test report within 5 working days after receiving the sample and send it to your clinic or the designated email address.

Important Notes

1. Timing of Blood Collection: For optimal results, it is recommended to collect the sample during the symptomatic period and before administering any medications. If medication has already been given, please be mindful of the required washout period.

2. Medication Washout Periods:

   • Short-acting systemic corticosteroids: discontinue for approximately 1–2 weeks.

   • Medium- to long-acting corticosteroids: discontinue for approximately 3–4 weeks.

   • Other immunomodulatory drugs such as Cyclosporine, Apoquel, Cytopoint, as well as topical treatments or antihistamines, generally do not require discontinuation.

   • If you are unsure, please contact our customer service hotline for further assistance.