Changes

In animals with demonstrated sensitivities to specific allergens, allergen-specific therapy can form part of the treatment regimen for atopic dermatitis. It may be possible to limit exposure to certain allergens. For example, exposure to house dust mites can be limited by keeping animals out of the bedrrom and using hypoallergenic matresses and pillow covers. Filtered vacuum cleaners can be used, and animals should be kept out of rooms for two to three hours after vacuuming. Soft toys harbour many dust mites and so should be avoided, or frozen for 24 hours once a month to kept the burden low. The animal's bedding should be washed at a temperature of greater than 70°C and the bed wiped out regularly with a damp cloth. Environmental flea control products are effective at killing dust mites in the home. If the animal is allergic to pollens, walking routes can be altered to avoid contact with the specific source, be it grasses, trees or weeds. Dogs can be washed after walking through vegetation to remove allergens, and lawns can be mown short.

In animals with demonstrated sensitivities to specific allergens, allergen-specific therapy can form part of the treatment regimen for atopic dermatitis. It may be possible to limit exposure to certain allergens. For example, exposure to house dust mites can be limited by keeping animals out of the bedrrom and using hypoallergenic matresses and pillow covers. Filtered vacuum cleaners can be used, and animals should be kept out of rooms for two to three hours after vacuuming. Soft toys harbour many dust mites and so should be avoided, or frozen for 24 hours once a month to kept the burden low. The animal's bedding should be washed at a temperature of greater than 70°C and the bed wiped out regularly with a damp cloth. Environmental flea control products are effective at killing dust mites in the home. If the animal is allergic to pollens, walking routes can be altered to avoid contact with the specific source, be it grasses, trees or weeds. Dogs can be washed after walking through vegetation to remove allergens, and lawns can be mown short.

Allergen specific immunotherapy (ASIT) can also be implemented. This involves the subcutaneous injection of gradually increasing quantities of allergen. The mechanism of action is not fully understood but it seems that administering large doses of allergen in an unusual route results in tolerance,sup>4</sup>. The effests of ASIT are highly variable: around 25% of dogs can be controlled with immunotherapy alone, a further 50% show some improvement, and 25% are non-responsive. Effects can take some time to be appreciated, and so a 9 to 12 month trial of immunotherapy is recommended. Generally, injections are initially given 1-2 weeks apart, building up to the full dose. Animals are usually monitored for around 30mins after the first few treatments, because anaphylaxis is an uncommon side-effect. Once the full dose is reached, the interval between injections can be extended to roughly once monthly. Most animals require ongoing treatment at this interval to maintain the effects of ASIT, but a few animals can be gradually weaned off ASIT.

Allergen specific immunotherapy (ASIT) can also be implemented. This involves the subcutaneous injection of gradually increasing quantities of allergen. The mechanism of action is not fully understood but it seems that administering large doses of allergen in an unusual route results in tolerance⁴. This may be because IgG level increase during the first few months of hyposensitization and binds circulating allergens, thereby blocking them from causing mast cell degranulation³ The effects of ASIT are highly variable: around 25% of dogs can be controlled with immunotherapy alone, a further 50% show some improvement, and 25% are non-responsive. Effects can take some time to be appreciated, and so a 9 to 12 month trial of immunotherapy is recommended. Generally, injections are initially given 1-2 weeks apart, building up to the full dose. Animals are usually monitored for around 30mins after the first few treatments, because anaphylaxis is an uncommon side-effect. Once the full dose is reached, the interval between injections can be extended to roughly once monthly. Most animals require ongoing treatment at this interval to maintain the effects of ASIT, but a few animals can be gradually weaned off ASIT.

===Anti-inflammatory therapy===

===Anti-inflammatory therapy===