Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Allergy shots helped skin allergies in 664 dogs after 9 months
By Fennis, Evelien E M et al.·Published in Veterinary dermatology·2022·Department of Clinical Sciences of Companion Animals, Netherlands·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Efficacy of subcutaneous allergen immunotherapy in atopic dogs: A retrospective study of 664 cases.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of 664 dogs with allergic skin issues, known as atopic dermatitis, were treated with a specific immunotherapy that targets their allergens. After at least nine months, about 60% of these dogs showed significant improvement in their symptoms, with many experiencing at least a 50% reduction in itching and skin problems. Regular check-ups helped boost the effectiveness of the treatment, while dogs also taking long-term steroids had poorer results. Overall, this therapy can be a good option for managing allergic skin conditions in dogs.
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Abstract
BACKGROUND: Canine atopic dermatitis (cAD) is an allergic skin disease affecting approximately 10% of dogs. allergen-specific immunotherapy (ASIT) is currently the only treatment option able to induce tolerance to the causative allergens. OBJECTIVE: To retrospectively establish the efficacy of ASIT in atopic dogs. ANIMALS: Client-owned (n  = 664) dogs with cAD presented between 2008 and 2018 to two dermatology referral clinics. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Clinical records of atopic dogs were reviewed to obtain information including the results of the intradermal skin test and/or allergen-specific immunoglobulin (Ig)E serological results, the allergens included in the ASIT, concurrent symptomatic medications, and ASIT efficacy after at least 9 months. RESULTS: Excellent (ASIT alone controlled clinical signs), good (≥50% reduction of clinical signs) and poor (<50% improvement) responses were seen in 31.5%, 28.5% and 40.1% of the dogs, respectively. No significant differences in efficacy were associated with breed, sex, age at initiation of ASIT, type of allergens in ASIT, and between clinics. Dogs re-examined regularly responded significantly better to ASIT than dogs that did not (>50% improvement in 69.3% and 55.4% of the dogs, respectively). Dogs treated with ASIT and concomitant systemic glucocorticoids showed a significantly poorer response (success rate of >50% improvement of 38.5%). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: In 59.9% of atopic dogs, subcutaneous ASIT can improve clinical signs by ≥50%. The beneficial effect of ASIT is higher if dogs are re-examined regularly and if systemic long-term corticosteroids are avoided, at least during the first 9 months of ASIT.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35635279/