Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Rush allergy shots tested for cats with atopic dermatitis
By Trimmer, Ann M et al.·Published in Veterinary dermatology·2005·Animal Dermatology Clinic, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Rush allergen specific immunotherapy protocol in feline atopic dermatitis: a pilot study of four cats.
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
Four cats with skin allergies were treated with a new rush immunotherapy protocol to help reduce their itching and discomfort. The cats received a series of allergy shots over five hours, with careful monitoring of their vital signs. While two of the cats experienced mild itching during the treatment, they were able to continue without serious issues, and all four completed the therapy successfully. A week later, two cats had some swelling at the injection site, but overall, the treatment seemed safe and effective. More research is needed to confirm these findings with a larger group of cats.
People also search for: cat skin allergies treatment · rush immunotherapy for cats · cat itching relief · feline atopic dermatitis therapy
Abstract
Rush immunotherapy has been shown to be as safe as conventional immunotherapy in canine atopic patients. Rush immunotherapy has not been reported in the feline atopic patient. The purpose of this pilot study was to determine a safe protocol for rush immunotherapy in feline atopic patients. Four atopic cats diagnosed by history, physical examination and exclusion of appropriate differential diagnoses were included in the study. Allergens were identified via liquid phase immunoenzymatic testing (VARL: Veterinary Allergy Reference Labs, Pasadena, CA). Cats were premedicated with 1.5 mg triamcinolone orally 24 and 2 h prior to first injection and 10 mg hydroxyzine PO 24, 12 and 2 h prior to first injection. An intravenous catheter was placed prior to first injection. Allergen extracts (Greer Laboratories, Lenoir, North Carolina) were all administered subcutaneously at increasing protein nitrogen units (pnu) every 30 minutes for 5 h to maintenance dose of 15,000 pnus ml-1. Vital signs were assessed every 15 minutes. Two cats developed mild pruritus and the subsequent injection was delayed 30 minutes. No changes in either cat's vital signs were noted, nor was there any further pruritus. All four cats successfully completed rush immunotherapy. Two cats developed a dermal swelling on the dorsal neck one week later. In these four cats, this protocol appeared to be a safe regimen to reach maintenance therapy. A larger sample of feline patients is needed to determine the incidence of adverse reactions and to follow the success of ASIT based upon this method of induction.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16238812/