Is your pet experiencing any of the following:

• Difficulty or discomfort with their allergies
• Inflamed skin
• Allergy symptoms (biting, itchiness, scratching, licking, rubbing, ear or skin infections)
• Increased prominence of skin and ear symptoms

Finding the source of your pet’s allergy and creating a successful treatment plan is 3-paramount to its well-being.

Some pets can avoid allergies—like food allergies—once you determine the cause, while others are unavoidable (environmental factors). Pets with unavoidable allergies may want to consider allergen immunotherapy (AIT). AIT provides a system of gradual desensitization and can be the perfect treatment option.

Understanding Allergen Immunotherapy

AIT provides allergy drops or shots to your pet that they are sensitive to. Veterinary dermatologists prefer this method of treating pet allergies because it deals explicitly with environmental (airborne) triggers. Treatments are individualized and essential, as different animals can have various allergies. Such treatments can also result in a permanent cure.

While this sounds ideal, pet owners must recognize that it can take up to one year to see results, and the treatment does not provide immediate relief.

Allergen immunotherapy slowly introduces increasing quantities of allergen extract to your pet. The serum is individually made with tiny amounts of allergens (proteins that generate a reaction). 

Desensitization occurs by administering periodic injections under the skin or placing drops in the pet’s mouth. The amount delivered to your pet slowly increases until a maintenance level is established.

This treatment uses your pet’s immune system instead of medication to treat allergy symptoms. While injections filled with allergens may appear odd, the therapy has proven successful. 

Other airborne allergy therapies attempt to suppress symptoms for relief. AIT is the only treatment that counteracts the immunological issue. Furthermore, the earlier in your pet’s life the treatment begins, the better the results. Regular checks are also necessary throughout the administration of injections or drops to evaluate the progress.

Triggers like seasonal pollen or other environmental causes respond well to this treatment. Common allergies found in your pet’s environment can include the following:

• Grass pollen (most bothersome in summer)
• Tree pollen (early summer and spring)
• Weed pollen (summer and early fall)
• Moulds (throughout the year, with worsening symptoms in moist conditions)
• House dust mites (all year, with worsening symptoms in winter and fall)
• Feathers (can be seasonal depending on the source)
• Human dander (affects indoor pets all year)

Environmental allergens are the most common issue for pets. Flea and food allergies are less frequent and don’t require desensitization therapy. In these cases, avoiding the allergen is sufficient for relief. 

Will AIT benefit my pet?

Allergen immunotherapy is an effective, safe way to make your pet feel more comfortable after it has been diagnosed with an environmental allergy. 

The Process

First, our pet skin specialists thoroughly examine your pet, considering its medical history of skin issues. Examining your pet’s overall medical history is beneficial in establishing long-term treatments. If an environmental allergen is suspected, we proceed with allergy testing to determine what triggers your pet’s symptoms.

By the time allergy testing occurs, it is usually a foregone conclusion that a person’s pet has an airborne allergy from their initial presentation. Pet skin specialists don’t conduct allergy testing to determine whether allergies exist, but rather to locate the source. 

When a substance triggers a skin reaction during the test’s administration, it correlates to increased antibodies found within the blood. However, it doesn’t directly relate to an itchy pet. Testing accesses your pet’s immunologic reactions to discover the substances that generate the best components for the allergy serum or what should be avoided.

AIT treatments can begin once a diagnosis is confirmed. Injections or drops are initially administered twice weekly and taper off to once every two weeks. Owners can give their pets injections in the comfort of their home. However, if this makes you uneasy, you can take your pet to the hospital.

If the treatment is done at home, owners receive a schedule outlining when and how to provide the injection and the amount. Amounts will increase until the next vial is required. This next level contains increased concentrations of the allergen. 

Owners receive a complete education on giving their pets injections. While it may appear daunting, it is simple. We find using a reward-based system the most effective with this treatment type. Owners can dispose of used syringes at a needle disposal centre or mail-in sharps containers. You can also dispose of them at your vet’s office.

After you give your pet the injections, you must observe them for 30–60 minutes and watch for reactions. Reactions must be reported to your vet before you administer the next injection. While severe reactions to injections are rare (less than 1%), you will recognize when they occur.

Reactions requiring immediate intervention will include:

• Facial swelling
• Hives
• Diarrhea and vomiting
• Collapse

Reactions not requiring immediate intervention (but you still must report them) are:

• Listlessness
• Itching
• Injection site swelling
• Frequent swallowing
• Excessive panting
• Intestinal gurgling or a loud stomach

Any such reactions will necessarily lead to protocol adjustments.

What are the long-term benefits of AIT?

AIT is a proven treatment plan that prevents allergy progression as your pet ages. It reduces long-term medication needs and decreases ear and skin infections to improve your pet’s quality of life.

What can pet owners expect?

Most animals show a positive response to treatment. However, about 25% may exhibit a moderate response, while another 25% will not have any response. While many owners express their concerns to their veterinary dermatologist that treatments are not working, there are no immediate effects. However, this does not mean it isn’t working.

It may take one year to determine the success of treatments. Slight relief may take weeks to months to occur. Also, allergen immunotherapy is a treatment planned for the upcoming season instead of the current one. Pets experience better results when AIT is combined with other itch relief therapies. 

Contact Animal Dermatology Specialists of Vancouver to Book Your Consultation

If you are concerned about your pet or are looking for other solutions for allergy relief, consider contacting our pet skin specialists. You can reach us at 778-743-9926 or request an appointment by completing our online form.

At Animal Dermatology Specialists of Vancouver, we can thoroughly examine your pet to determine the source of its symptoms. Our advanced equipment and extensive knowledge can give you the definitive answers you seek.