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 language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 321-e75 |
Journal | Veterinary Dermatology |
Volume | 33 |
Issue number | 4 |
Early online date | 30 May 2022 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Aug 2022 |
Bibliographical note
Publisher Copyright:© 2022 The Authors. Veterinary Dermatology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of ESVD and ACVD.