Fighting the cause of allergy (sv)
An effective way of treating allergy is avoidance. However, this is practically not an option in most cases. Not only are many allergens like mites, grass, and tree pollen difficult to avoid, hypersensitivity for multiple allergens is particularly challenging to address through avoidance. It is the unique etiological treatment.
Therefore, the recommended choice for treating allergy is immunotherapy. It is a solution which is safe, effective and for long-term use. After determining what the dog, cat or horse is allergic to through our allergy tests, Alergovet Immunotherapies keeps the allergy under control ensuring that the symptoms are greatly reduced or even eliminated.
Alergovet Immunotherapies are the most innovative in the market, using exclusive technology like allergoids. Therefore, they are the products of choice.
Immunotherapy and how it works
The immunoherapy works by giving repeated doses of allergens, thereby stimulating an immune response in the immunological system which leads to the build-up of immunological tolerance. It is the only treatment which alters the course of allergic disease while at the same time taking the allergy symptoms below the symptom threshold. Alergovet Immunotherapies are available in shots (subcutaneous injections) and perioral in spray.
The immunotherapy is custom-made for each patient, based on the allergens identified through our allergy testing. The efficacy rate for Alergovet Immunotherapies is around 85%. Most patients see improvements within a few months. Alergovet Immunotherapies have virtually no side effects and can therefore be given for long periods.
Compliance with the patient’s allergy treatment plan is key. Close adherence to the treatment schedule will accelerate the pet’s recovery and allergy relief.
Administration and dosage
The first dosage for subcutaneous Alergovet Immunotherapy base in allergoids (Vet-Goid™) starts at 0.2 ml, one week after 0.5ml, and then one injection each 30 days. A treatment set with two vials lasts for 10 months.
For the perioral one (PETSLIT™) the dosage is one spry per day since during all treatment. A treatment set with two sprays lasts for 6 months.
Allergy is a chronic disease and every 10 / 6 months a follow-up vial is required for allergy symptoms relief.
Composition and characteristics
Alergovet Immunotherapies may include a maximum of 5 allergens or allergen mixes per vial.
Immunotherapy gold standard
We offer the most advanced and innovative immunotherapies:
- Innovative
- Effective
- Safe
- Long-term
- High compliance of the vet and pet parent
- Available in subcutaneous injections and perioral spray
- Free, world-class support with our veterinary allergy experts
Shampoos and essential fatty acid supplements
In conjunction with immunotherapy, bathing may help relieve itching and remove environmental allergens from the pet’s skin. It is key to pick the right shampoo, as frequent bathing with the wrong product can dry out the skin. Also, essential fatty acids have an important role in supporting skin health. By being a structural component of the cellular membranes, essential fatty acids help maintain the skin barrier and prevent penetration of allergens through the skin. In addition, essential fatty acids have an anti-inflammatory effect, alleviating symptoms of itching and scratching. Parasitic control and an adequate diet are also key factors.
Frequently asked questions
About immunotherapy
Is it possible to administer symptomatic medication when starting Alergovet Immunotherapies?
Our advice is to continue with the symptomatic treatment when starting with Alergovet Immunotherapies. During the first months, the symptomatic medication can be reduced as much as possible.
Once finished the first maintenance treatment, is necessary to carry on with it?
If the symptoms have got better, it is recommended to continue at least during 5 years more in order the immune system becomes tolerant to the allergens. Some experts recommend maintaining it for lifetime. Sometimes, on discontinuing the immunotherapy, the symptoms re-appear. In this case, it would be necessary to keep on with another maintenance treatment to control the symptoms. If less than 3 months have passed, it is recommended to use the same dose than maintenance one (0.5ml); if they have been between 3-6 months, the dosage recommended would be half the maintenance dosage (0.2ml); if they have been more than 6 months, it would be recommended to start again with the initial treatment. Sometimes it is also advisable to re-test.
Which is the SIT effectiveness percentage?
It is expected that around 80% of the animals treated will exhibit an improvement: completely in some cases; in other cases it is necessary symptomatic treatment for sporadic outbreaks; and in others the symptomatic treatment is required continuously but with less dosage and more frequency.
Is it possible to treat with SIT and symptomatic treatment at the same time?
Yes, it is possible with anti-inflammatory dosage, especially at the beginning of the treatment until the benefits of the SIT appear. It is also advisable if the SIT produces a mild symptomatology and for those cases we can not control totally with the SIT.
Adverse effects, what to do?
Adverse effects are not very frequent and not severe (local reaction at the point of application, increase of the pruritus). They can appear at any time, although it is more usual at the beginning of the treatment. In these cases, we can decrease the dosage or give during some injections a small amount of corticosteroids two days before and after it.
The animal does not improve with the SIT, what to do?
There is a little percentage of animals which do not improve after one year treatment (it is the recommended time to check if the SIT works). In these cases, we have to stop the SIT. But if there is some improvement, although not totally, we encourage keeping on treating because it allows to control the symptoms with less dosage and more frequency of corticosteroids, resulting in a better quality of life.
Is it possible to make a treatment without previous diagnosis test?
Yes. Actually, it is what we do when the diagnosis has been made with IDT. We only need the detailed composition (better with Latin names).
There is product left in the initial vials, why?
It is normal because the first dose is 0.2ml instead of 0.5ml, and all vials have the same amount of content.
Is it possible to start the SIT in a pregnant female?
In the absence of precise data, it is not recommended to administer SIT to animals which are, or which are suspected of being, pregnant.
Is it possible to administer vaccination at the same time as SIT?
An interval of at least one week should be observed between the administrations of either.
The treatment has arrived without refrigeration, is it correct?
The treatments are always sent without refrigeration and this does not affect the biological activity. However, it is necessary to keep the treatment on the fridge (2-8 ºC) once open in order to maintain the expiry date and to avoid contaminations.
It is important not to freeze the treatment because the allergens get denatured and lose the effectiveness.
Is it necessary to continue with the SIT for life?
It depends on the evolution of the symptoms. We strongly recommend maintaining it at least 3-5 years. If after stopping they reappear on removing the SIT, it will be necessary to restart with the treatment.
Key facts about Alergovet immunotherapy:
- The recommended choice for treating allergy
- Safe, effective and long-term treatment
- Treats the cause, not only the symptoms
- Rebuilds the pet’s immunity
- Most innovative in the market
- Available in shots (subcutaneous injections) and perioral (spray)
- Adherence to the immunotherapy schedule and refills are critical for allergy symptoms relief