Helpful hints for canine atopy: Immunotherapy pointers

Sublingual immunotherapy for atopic dogs has recently become available. It has a similar success rate to injectable immunotherapy (60 percent to 75 percent) and offers advantages in that it is available as oral drops, can be effective in three to six months, does not need refrigeration, and anaphylaxis is not commonly seen (it is reported in 1 percent or fewer of injectable immunotherapy patients). Just keep in mind that once immunotherapy is dispensed, individual monitoring is essential, and the owner should be checking in routinely or notifying you of any increase in pruritus or flare-up of otitis or bacterial pyoderma. Clients often mention to me that immunotherapy solutions are dispensed to them without any follow-up or reactions to watch for. Even though instructions are available with the immunotherapy, it is essential for you or a member of your staff to sit down and go over instructions-what to watch for and how often or when to contact your office,