Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Low dose allergy shots for treating dog skin allergies compared
By Colombo, Silvia et al.·Published in Veterinary dermatology·2005·The University of Edinburgh, United Kingdom·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Effectiveness of low dose immunotherapy in the treatment of canine atopic dermatitis: a prospective, double-blinded, clinical study.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of dogs with atopic dermatitis (a skin allergy causing itching) was treated with either a low dose or a standard dose of allergen-specific immunotherapy (ASIT) to see which worked better. After several months, both groups showed similar improvements in their skin condition and itching levels, with some dogs experiencing significant relief while others did not improve. Overall, the study found that the low dose did not provide any additional benefits compared to the standard dose. Pet owners should discuss the best treatment options for their dog's skin allergies with their veterinarian.
People also search for: dog itching treatment · atopic dermatitis in dogs · allergen-specific immunotherapy for dogs
Abstract
There are anecdotal reports of increased effectiveness of allergen-specific immunotherapy (ASIT) in dogs with doses of vaccine lower than that recommended by the manufacturers. However, no controlled studies have been carried out. The aim of this prospective, double-blinded study was to evaluate whether induction and maintenance with low dose (LD) ASIT resulted in a different success rate compared with the standard dose (SD). Twenty-seven dogs with confirmed atopic dermatitis were allocated by block randomization to two groups. One group (n = 13) received SD ASIT; the other group (n = 14) received LD ASIT (1/10 of the SD) following the same frequency protocol. Cases were graded at 0, 3, 6 and 9 months for clinical signs using a modified canine atopic dermatitis extent and severity index (mCADESI) and for pruritus using a 0-5 descriptor scale. There were no significant differences between the groups in the pruritus and mCADESI scores (P > 0.155) at the end of the study, and the changes in pruritus (P > 0.920) and mCADESI (P > 0.296) scores from the beginning to the end of the study were similar in both groups. Pruritus scores in both groups did not change during the study (P > 0.052). However, significant reductions in mCADESI scores were seen in both groups (P < 0.032). Six dogs achieved a final pruritus score of 0, six achieved a reduction in pruritus score and 15 did not improve or worsened. There was, therefore, no evidence that LD ASIT is more effective than the standard protocol.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15960629/