Treatment of allergic disease can broadly be split into two categories, both of which are equally as important to consider:
- Proactive management – long-term strategies to prevent flare-ups
- Reactive management – immediate treatment of acute symptoms
In the early stages of the diagnosis and disease, it is important to provide both the animal and owner with short term relief from the clinical signs. However, it’s crucial not to forget the need for a long-term strategy for this lifelong condition. A flexible and multi-modal approach, which includes a method for controlling the primary disease, is the best option for achieving sustained success.
Allergen-specific immunotherapy (ASIT), combined with the cutting-edge PAX test, remains the gold standard for allergy treatment. The PAX test enhances ASIT by precisely identifying the allergens affecting each patient, increasing treatment specificity, and improving long-term outcomes. Tailored to the individual, this approach leads to the establishment of long-term clinical tolerance1,2.
ALLERGEN-SPECIFIC IMMUNOTHERAPY
(ASIT) for Dogs, Cats & Horses
Treatment of allergic disease can broadly be split into two categories, both of which are equally as important to consider:
- Proactive management – long-term strategies to prevent flare-ups
- Reactive management – immediate treatment of acute symptoms
In the early stages of the diagnosis and disease, it is important to provide both the animal and owner with short term relief from the clinical signs. However, it’s crucial not to forget the need for a long-term strategy for this lifelong condition. A flexible and multi-modal approach, which includes a method for controlling the primary disease, is the best option for achieving sustained success.
Allergen specific immunotherapy remains the only therapy capable of modifying the natural course of a pre-existing hypersensitivity, resulting in the establishment of long-term clinical tolerance1,2.
TAILOR MADE FOR EACH PATIENT
Allergen-specific immunotherapy is a proven, effective treatment for allergies. Over time, injected allergens stimulate the immune system with the aim of reaching immunological tolerance. This type of therapy is recommended by The International Committee on Allergic Diseases of Animals (ICADA), and is widely used by dermatologists to target the root cause of allergy.
Key points of ASIT
- Available for dogs, cats and horses
- 50-80% efficacy rate3-5
- Safe for long-term use
- Is easy and quick to administer
- Cost effective
- Delivered within 12-15 working days
Administration and dosage of ASIT
- Maximum of 8 allergens per vial
- Administered by subcutaneous injection
- Loading regime over 12 weeks
- Monthly maintenance dose of 1ml
- One vial of therapy lasts for 10 months (Initial vial 9 months due to the loading regime)
- Therapy can be given at home by owner where appropriate
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References
- Jackson HA, Jackson MW, Coblentz L & Hammerberg B. (2003) Evaluation of the clinical and allergen-specific serum immunoglobulin E responses to oral challenge with corn-starch, corn, soy and a soy hydrolysate diet in dogs with spontaneous food allergy. Vet Derm 14(4):181-7.
- Morales CA, Schultz KT and DeBoer DJ Antistaphylococcal antibodies in dogs with recurrent staphylococcal pyoderma. Veterinary Immunology and Immunopathology 1994; 42: 137- 1476.
- Chen T, Halliwell REW, Pemberton AD et al. Identification of major allergens of Malassezia pachydermatis in dogs with atopic dermatitis and Malassezia overgrowth. Veterinary Dermatology 2002, 13: 141–1507.
- Bexley J, Nuttall TJ, Hammerberg B et al. Serum anti-Staphylococcus pseudintermedius IgE and IgG antibodies in dogs with atopic dermatitis and nonatopic dogs. Vet Dermatol. 2013; 24: 19-24.e5-6.
- Morris DO and DeBoer DJ. Evaluation of serum obtained from atopic dogs with dermatitis attributable to Malassezia pachydermatis for passive transfer of immediate hypersensitivity to that organism. American Journal of Veterinary Research 2003, 64: 262-266.
- Griffin CE and Hillier A (2001). The ACVD task force on canine atopic dermatitis (XXIV): allergen-specific immunotherapy, Veterinary Immunology and Immunopathology; 81(3-4): 363-383.
- Fischer NM, Rostaher A and Favrot C (2019). Allergen-specific immunotherapy in dogs with atopic dermatitis: a comparison of subcutaneous, intralymphatic and sublingual administration. In: Proceedings of the 31st Annual Congress of the European Society and College of Veterinary Dermatology, Liverpool, 2019.
- Jackson, H.A. & Mueller, R.S (2007). Atopic dermatitis and adverse food reactions. In: BSAVA Manual of Canine and Feline Dermatology, 3rd ed. BSAVA, Gloucester, UK, 130-140.
- JH Carlotti et al. (2013). A retrospective survey of the results of allergen-specific immunotherapy in 205 atopic dogs in Aquitaine, France (1989-2001). Prat Med Chir Anim Comp, 48: 41-7.
- Nuttall et al. (1998). Retrospective survey of allergen immunotherapy in canine atopy. Veterinary Record, 143: 139-142.
- DeBoer DJ, Moriello KA, Thomas CB, Schultz KT. (1990) Evaluation of a commercial staphylococcal bacterin for management of idiopathic recurrent superficial pyoderma in dogs. AM J Vet Res, 51(4): 636-9.