Efficacy of subcutaneous allergen immunotherapy in atopic dogs: A retrospective study of 664 cases

Evelien E M Fennis, Catharina M M van Damme, Yvette M Schlotter, Jacqueline D Sinke, Mieke H G Leistra, Richard T Bartels, Femke Broere

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

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.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)321-e75
JournalVeterinary Dermatology
Volume33
Issue number4
Early online date30 May 2022
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Aug 2022

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2022 The Authors. Veterinary Dermatology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of ESVD and ACVD.

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