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Pet Owner Information About Allergy Testing > Treating Your Pet's Allergies
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information about
Bio-Medical Services
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Treating Your Pet's Allergies
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Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy is a safe and effective, long-term treatment that gradually builds your pet’s immunity to the specific allergens that are causing its discomfort.
Injections with increasing amounts of allergen are given to the animal, beginning with a low dose and increasing until the highest tolerable concentration is reached (therapeutic dose).
Immunotherapy is the only treatment that alters the course of allergic disease while at the same time decreasing allergy symptoms.
Based on the results of your pet’s blood test, your veterinarian and Bio-Medical Services will formulate an immunotherapy treatment kit which is specific to your pet's individual allergies.
 Every allergic animal’s response to immunotherapy is unique, and pets show progress at different rates. Some animals exhibit immediate improvement within the first few months of immunotherapy; others may take 6-8 months before significant improvement occurs. Immunotherapy is recommended for a minimum of 3-5 years, and may likely be needed for the rest of your pet’s life.
Who will administer my pet’s allergy shots?
Giving an injection to your pet is not difficult, and most pet owners will administer the allergy shots in the comfort of their own homes. When your treatment kit arrives, it will include a detailed set of instructions on how to administer allergy shots.
Your veterinarian can demonstrate this for you, and make sure that you are confident in the process before sending the treatment set home with you and your pet. As with any medication, immunotherapy is not without risk or side effects. Your veterinarian should supervise your pet’s treatment progress at all times.
When will my pet's symptoms improve?
This commonly asked question is difficult to answer since all animals respond to treatment differently. Typically animals will show improvement within the first 3-4 months, with the full benefit experienced over the first year.
Owner compliance and communication with your veterinarian are key components to your pet's improvement. Close adherence to the injection schedule will accelerate your pet's recovery. Click here to read About immunotherapy.
Avoidance
Avoidance is the only form of treatment for food allergies, and can be extremely effective. The best form of treatment for any allergy is avoidance, however this is often difficult, if not impossible to achieve for many substances.
Steroids
Steroid therapy is successful short term solution, but prolonged use of these drugs can have serious side effects. Steroids reduce itching by reducing inflammation. Unfortunately, they also affect every organ in the body. Steroids should be considered only when the allergy season is short; the amount of drug required is small or as a last resort to relieve a pet in extreme discomfort. Side effects can include increased thirst and appetite, increased need to urinate and behavioral changes. Long term use can result in diabetes; adrenal gland malfunction (Cushing’s disease) decreased resistance to infection, and increased susceptibility to seizures.
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Adverse Effects of Steroid Use
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