an effective

way to treat allergies

an effective way to treat allergies

Allergen-specific immunotherapy (ASIT) works to naturally modulate the immune response, and may be appropriate when an allergy is established and the pet cannot avoid exposure to the allergen.1,2

WHY ALLERGY IMMUNOTHERAPY?
TREATMENT OPTIONS
ASIT EFFICACY AND SAFETY
TESTING
Talking to pet parents

Why Allergy Immunotherapy?

Allergy immunotherapy is the only therapy that treats the underlying cause of the allergy, helping the pet’s immune system develop a resistance to allergens, thereby reducing allergic symptoms.1

Allergy immunotherapy has an established safety profile that over time:

Immune system graphic

Helps the patient’s immune system develop a resistance to allergens1

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Reduces the ability of allergens to cause allergic symptoms1

Mechanism of Action

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Allergy immunotherapy generally results in a modification to the cellular regulatory mechanisms involved in the allergenic reaction. Although the precise mechanism of action of allergy immunotherapy is unknown, research suggests there is the potential for long-term sustained relief of allergy symptoms.1,3-6

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Finding the right match for your patients

ASIT can be administered two different ways to help fit the needs of your individual patients and pet parents.

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  • Administered under the skin by the pet parent
    • Pet parent must be willing to administer the injections
  • More frequent injections at treatment onset1
  • Eventually, injections may only be necessary weekly or monthly1
Needle graphic
  • Administered under the skin by the pet parent
    • Pet parent must be willing to administer the injections
  • More frequent injections at treatment onset1
  • Eventually, injections may only be necessary weekly or monthly1
Dropper graphic
  • Administered orally by the pet parent
  • Given daily for the entire treatment period1
  • Option for patients and pet parents who are not comfortable with allergy shots7
Dropper graphic
  • Administered orally by the pet parent
  • Given daily for the entire treatment period1
  • Option for patients and pet parents who are not comfortable with allergy shots7
ASIT relies on a partnership between you and the pet parent. It requires time, commitment, and patience to ensure successful treatment
ASIT relies on a partnership between you and the pet parent. It requires time, commitment, and patience to ensure successful treatment
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ASIT IS SAFE FOR MOST ANIMALS

Although adverse reactions to allergy immunotherapy are infrequent, they can be severe and be the result of a highly sensitive animal.1

ASIT Subcutaneous and Sublingual Chart
ASIT Subcutaneous and Sublingual Chart
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Test the way you want

The purpose of allergy testing is to help determine the appropriate allergens to formulate ASIT. There are two different ways to confirm offending allergens:

Skin graphic

Intradermal Testing (IDT)

  • Gold standard
    • The method that other tests are measured against8
    • Performing IDT requires proficiency; therefore, staff training will be needed
  • Tests the skin directly
    • Less occurrence of false positive results than with serum in vitro testing
    • However, severe skin disease may result in false positive and/or false negative results8
  • Testing can be done on-site
    • Results available in a couple of hours8
    • Pets will require sedation and shaving8
    • Although rare, there is a risk of systemic reaction9
  • Flexible design
    • Testing panels can be customized to the geographic region, so you can set up your own panels8
needle graphic

Intradermal Testing (IDT)

  • Gold standard
    • The method that other tests are measured against8
    • Performing IDT requires proficiency; therefore, staff training will be needed
  • Tests the skin directly
    • Less occurrence of false positive results than with serum in vitro testing
    • However, severe skin disease may result in false positive and/or false negative results8
  • Testing can be done on-site
    • Results available in a couple of hours8
    • Pets will require sedation and shaving8
    • Although rare, there is a risk of systemic reaction9
  • Flexible design
    • Testing panels can be customized to the geographic region, so you can set up your own panels8
needle graphic

Serum In Vitro Testing

  • No training required
    • Easy blood draw with low risk8
  • Pets do not require sedation or shaving
  • Objective and measurable results
    • No need for visual interpretation
  • Lower risk of drugs interfering with test results
    • Concurrent anti-inflammatory/antipruritic therapy10
needle graphic

Serum In Vitro Testing

  • No training required
    • Easy blood draw with low risk8
  • Pets do not require sedation or shaving
  • Objective and measurable results
    • No need for visual interpretation
  • Lower risk of drugs interfering with test results
    • Concurrent anti-inflammatory/antipruritic therapy10
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Talking to Pet Parents

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It’s important that pet parents fully understand the commitment that is needed when treating their pets with ASIT. Here are some topics that pet parents should understand in order to better help their pets:

Question mark in a word bubble

It’s important that pet parents fully understand the commitment that is needed when treating their pets with ASIT. Here are some topics that pet parents should understand in order to better help their pets:

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How allergies appear in pets

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Common signs/symptoms 

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How to get their pet diagnosed

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How pet allergies are treated

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The benefits and risks of ASIT

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How allergies appear in pets

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Common signs/symptoms 

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How to get their pet diagnosed

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How pet allergies are treated

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The benefits and risks of ASIT

Where are here to support you - Gain access to ASIT administration materials to share with your pet parents.
Where are here to support you - Gain access to ASIT administration materials to share with your pet parents.
References: 1. Prescribing information for allergenic extracts used in the testing and treatment of animal allergies: Pollens, molds, dusts, inhalants, epidermals, foods, and insects. GREER Laboratories; 2014. 2. Griffen CE, Hillier A. The ACVD task force on canine atopic dermatitis (XXIV): allergen-specific immunotherapy. Vet Immunol Immunopathol. 2001;81(3-4):363-383. 3. American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. Allergy immunotherapy. http://acaai.org/allergies/allergy-treatment/allergy-immunotherapy. Accessed December 1, 2017.  4. Bousquet J, Khaltaev N, Cruz AA, et al. Allergic rhinitis and its impact on asthma (ARIA) 2008 update (in collaboration with the World Health Organization, GA(2)LEN and AllerGen). Allergy. 2008;63 Suppl 86:8-160. 5. Durham SR, Walker SM, Varga EM, et al. Long-term clinical efficacy of grass-pollen immunotherapy. N Engl J Med. 1999;341(7):468-475. 6. Li JT, Bernstein DI, Calderon MA, et al. Sublingual grass and ragweed immunotherapy: Clinical considerations—a PRACTALL consensus report. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2016;137(2):369-376. 7. DeBoer DJ, Morris M. Multicentre open trial demonstrates efficacy of sublingual immunotherapy in canine atopic dermatitis (abstract). Vet Dermatol. 2012;23(Suppl 1):65. 8. Reedy LM, Miller JR WH, Willemse T. Allergic Skin Diseases of Dogs and Cats. 2nd ed. London, UK: W.B. Saunders Company Ltd; 1997. 9. Hiller A, DeBoer DJ. The ACVD task force on canine atopic dermatitis (XVII): intradermal testing. Vet Immunol Immunopathol. 2001;81(3-4):289-304. 10. Hensel P, Santoro D, Favrot C, Hill P, Griffin C. Canine atopic dermatitis: detailed guidelines for diagnosis and allergen identification. BMC Vet Res. 2015;11(196):1-13.
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