immunotherapy

MSDS

INDICATIONS

After the diagnosis of Atopy is made, IMMUNOTHERAPY is an effective treatment for the long term management of this disease

IMMUNOTHERAPY is for desensitisation against inhaled pollens, moulds, housedust and insects, which commonly cause allergies

REGISTERED FOR USE IN

Dogs

WHAT IS IMMUNOTHERAPY?

IMMUNOTHERAPY is a series of allergy injections, whereby injecting larger and larger amounts of the offending allergens into the dog, the animal’s immune system gradually becomes less sensitive to these allergens.

IDENTIFYING OFFENDING ALLERGENS

Once the diagnosis of atopy has been made the offending allergens must be identified. There are two methods currently available:

INTRADERMAL SKIN TEST, usually performed by a specialist dermatologist
CANINE ALLERGY SERUM ELISA (Blood Test), performed by IDEXX Laboratories.

Once the allergens have been identified, Dermcare-Vet will formulate an IMMUNOTHERAPY vaccine specific for each patient.

IMMUNOTHERAPY vaccine formulations will vary according to geographical area, climate (humidity), environment the animal is in (inside the house or in the yard) and the offending allergens. This is why Dermcare-Vet takes the time to produce an IMMUNOTHERAPY vaccine most suited to your patient.

ACTIONS

IMMUNOTHERAPY or hyposensitisation, works by stimulating the animal’s own immune system to produce blocking IgG antibodies to IgE, which mediate the majority of the clinical signs of Atopy. This induces a state of tolerance or reduced activity to those offending allergens.

IMMUNOTHERAPY is a gradual process, as it is altering the animal’s natural immune system, with obvious benefits, taking from 2 to 6 months to appear (some dogs may take longer).

Approximately 70% of cases respond to IMMUNOTHERAPY while the remainder have no response and need to be managed with alternative therapies. This means no need for antipruritic drugs, or a reduction in the dose of antipruritic drugs to a safe level.

The majority of animals which respond to IMMUNOTHERAPY will need to remain on desensitisation for at least 2 years, after which the frequency of the maintenance dosages may be adjusted. Allergies are usually a life long problem, with IMMUNOTHERAPY permanently required, especially during the allergy season.

Remember just like no two people are alike, no two dogs are either!!! So every dog will be different.

Other therapies may be needed to control the itch when initiating IMMUNOTHERAPY:

AVOIDANCE of grass, tree and weed pollens is usually impossible, however keeping dogs allergic to these inside at peak pollen times may help. Also dogs allergic to house dust and dust mites may benefit from being kept outside more.

TOPICAL THERAPY. Frequent shampooing with a hypoallergenic shampoo (Dermcare’s NATURAL or Aloveen) will help remove pollen, surface debris, and bacteria from the coat, and help to soothe the skin. We recommend weekly bathing.

FLEA CONTROL. Even if the animal is not allergic to fleas they may aggravate the underlying allergy, therefore effective animal and environmental flea control is recommended.

MEDICAL THERAPY. Cortisone based drugs (although not recommended for long term allergy control), antihistamines and fatty acid supplementation, may aid in relieving allergy symptoms but rarely controls it completely. Moderate doses of the weaker cortisones, like Prednisolone may be used concurrently with IMMUNOTHERAPY, as can antihistamines.

All allergens and ancillary products in Dermcare-Vet IMMUNOTHERAPY are manufactured by Greer Laboratories Inc, the major supplier of veterinary allergens in the United States. Dermcare-Vet is the Australian agent for Greer Laboratories Inc.