allergy testing and treatment

This mustached boy is Henry! He used to need frequent visits and treatments for recurrent ear infections! But his previously overactive immune system has been so well re-trained by his immunotherapy injections that he has NO allergy symptoms right as the trees are blasting us with pollens.

You should consider allergy testing & immunotherapy for your dog or cat if they are experiencing persistent or severe allergic symptoms that cannot be effectively managed with other treatments. Common symptoms of allergies in dogs include itching, scratching, chewing, licking, sneezing, and skin irritation.

Blood tests can be used to determine environmental triggers for a patient’s allergies, and then Allergen-Specific Immunotherapy injections or oral drops are formulated for the patient based on their individual results.

Young dogs with more flexible immune systems and moderate to severe itch for extended periods of time are great candidates. This is the ONLY therapy available to actually change the abnormal immune system (and hopefully reduce or eliminate need for long-term medications).

Studies suggest 60-80% of dogs and cats with environmental allergies will benefit from immunotherapy within 6-12 months. In general, lifelong treatment is required.

Allergy Testing

Blood Allergy Test (for 83 environmental allergens) + Specialist Review & Consultation

Allergy testing is most accurate when performed during peak allergy season or the second half of allergy season, and after a pet has had at least 1 prior season of symptoms (ie. at least 1-2 years old).

Many medications/supplements can interfere with testing, so need to be withdrawn prior to testing.

Steroids
  • Oral prednisone/prednisolone: delay testing until off prednisone 45 days.
  • Injectable Depo-medrol (methylprednisolone): delay testing until 90 days after injection.
  • Topical eye, ear, or skin meds containing steroids (Malacetic Ultra, Animax): delay testing until 30 days after last dose.
Other medications
  • Atopica (cyclosporine): requires technical consultation
  • No withdrawal prior to testing is needed with: Apoquel, Cytopoint, antihistamines (Zyrtec/cetirizine, Benadryl/diphenhydramine, etc.), or fish oil/omega-3 fatty acid supplement.

Certain medical conditions like Cushing’s disease and hypothyroidism can suppress the IgE levels that blood allergy tests rely on, so can cause faulty results.

Immunotherapy

Allercept Therapy Shots

Most pets have a positive response within 4-12 months. Treatment should be continued for at least 12 months before deciding whether or not it’s beneficial. The initial series of injections are given at 4-day intervals, then the frequency is gradually reduced based on the pet’s individual response. Long-term, most pets do well with an injection every 1-4 weeks.

  • Initial Treatment Series (first 11 injections)
    • includes technician appointments/boarding costs
    • due to the (low) risk of severe allergic reaction to immunotherapy injections, the first 11 doses are best given in clinic, in the morning, so we can monitor and promptly treat any issues.
  • Refills
    • 1 maintenance vial (up to 12 allergens): 2 ½ to 10-month supply (average 4-6 months)
  • Double refill
    • 2 maintenance vials (up to 12 allergens): 5-20-month supply (average 8-12 months)

Allercept Therapy Drops

Unless a pet has had a previous allergic reaction to immunotherapy shots, these can be administered at home. Most patients will respond within the first 1-3 months, but treatment should be continued for at least 10 months before deciding whether or not it’s beneficial. Twice daily dosing usually remains the same long-term.

  • Initial Treatment Set (up to 12 allergens): (5-month supply)
  • Maintenance Set (up to 12 allergens): (5-month supply)