Heres How Allergy Shots For Dogs Work
If your dog has allergies, it can feel like youre always buying her allergy medicine.
And sometimes, even pricey prescription medications can seem like theyre not helping much.
Thats why some pet parents choose to get allergy shots, or immunotherapy, for their dogs. Its literally the only drug-free method that reduces environmental pet allergies for good which means no more expensive prescriptions.
So, how does it work?
The Dodo reached out to Dr. Lydia Harbour, a veterinary dermatology resident at Dermatology for Animals in Arizona, to find out everything you need to know about allergy shots for dogs.
Are Allergy Shots Expensive
Studies have shown that allergy shots are a very cost-effective way to treat allergies. They have been shown to reduce medication requirements and improve the quality of life in those patients who take them. They are the only long-term way to bring symptoms under control in those patients who have a significant allergic disease.
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What To Expect At Your Appointment
You should take an oral antihistamine such as cetirizine , fexofenadine , or loratadine on the morning of your allergy shot appointment or right before coming to your appointment. However, only do so if it’s okay to take these medications alongside your allergy shots. If you are unsure, ask your allergist.
Once you check in at the front desk for your appointment, a member of our clinic staff will bring you to an exam room. He or she will ask you some questions to evaluate you for any active asthma symptoms before administering your shot.
You will typically receive one to four injections depending on your allergies. We will place the needle into your upper arm to inject the allergen into the tissue between your skin and muscle. Then we will monitor you in the clinic for 30 minutes. It’s common for people to experience itching and swelling at the injection site from the allergy shots. If this occurs, we will apply hydrocortisone cream to provide some relief.
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Starting Allergy Shot Treatments
Allergy shots are a great option for patients with extreme, unmanaged allergies. Once youve decided to start allergy shot treatment, you may be concerned about what will happen at your appointments. Your Center for Allergy and Asthma of Georgia allergist will individually tailor your treatment plan to your needs and will inject a small amount of saline mixed with your allergen under your skin. Over time, your body begins to naturally resist the effects of your allergen.
Con: They Can Take Some Time To Start Working
You wont see immediate results with immunotherapy. It can take anywhere from three months to a year for allergy shots to start working. And once they do start working, youll need to continue with the shot every so often for maintenance.
This is not a quick fix, Dr. Harbour said. Typically we tell clients that this is something we commit to for the long haul.
In the meantime, your vet might recommend a prescription medication, like Apoquel or Atopica, to manage your dogs symptoms.
Or they might recommend a dog-safe over-the-counter antihistamine, which is usually best paired with an omega-3 supplement.
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What Is Rush Immunotherapy
Itâs a faster way to get to a maintenance dose, but itâs also riskier.
During the first part of the treatment, you get doses of the allergen every day instead of every few days. Your doctor will check on you closely, in case you have a bad reaction. In some cases, you may get medicine before you get the dose of the allergen, to help prevent a reaction.
Are Allergy Shots Safe
Patients must wait 30 minutes after receiving an allergy shot just in case they have a reaction to the small amounts of allergens that are injected. If theyre going to have a reaction, it will happen during that time, and well be able to treat them while theyre in the office, Hagaman explained.
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Allergy Drops Vs Allergy Shots Faqs
How Often Do I Need to Get Allergy Shots or Take Drops?
Allergy shots are administered once or twice per week in your allergists office for the first 3-6 months then once to twice a month for about 3-5 years total.
Allergy drops are self-administered treatment placed once daily under the tongue. Typically, you will visit your allergist up to 4 times a year for check-ups with total treatment taking 3-5 years before you are cured of your allergy.
How Do Allergy Drops and Shots Treatments Work?
Allergy drops and allergy shots are a natural way to assist your immune system in building up its own tolerance to the allergen causing your symptoms. Using your immune system as a barrier to the allergen is the optimal solution for long-lasting results. The mechanism behind allergy immunotherapy is simple and elegant and is analogous to lifting weights. The only way to get stronger is to lift more weight. The more often we do so, the stronger we become and the more efficiently our bodies operate.
Similarly, in allergy immunotherapy, a persons immune system builds up protective blocking antibodies when you receive gradual, stronger doses of allergy drops. The stimulation to the immune system creates a shift in the immune balance to block allergy symptoms instead of developing such symptoms.
Which is Safer Allergy Drops or Allergy Shots?
How Long Does it Take to Start Working? How Long Until I Feel Better?
Which Treatment Works Better Allergy Drops or Shots?
Youll Have To Stick To A Schedule
For treatment to be most effective, youll need to create an allergy shot plan that involves multiple doses over a period of time.
Exactly how many doses youll need and for how long will depend on your individual situation. Dr. Reichmuth, one of the expert immunologists at Florida Medical Clinic, says your doctor will work with you to create a schedule best suited for your symptoms.
Schedules are split into two phases: the build-up phase and the maintenance phase.
During the buildup phase, allergy injections are given more frequently, typically 1-2 times a week for 4-8 months. During maintenance phase, the injections become less frequent according to the plan you create with your immunologist.
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How Should I Prepare For Allergy Shots
You may want to avoid exercise or doing anything strenuous for 2 hours before and after your appointment. Thatâs because exercise boosts blood flow to the tissues and may cause the allergens to spread throughout your body faster. Itâs not likely to cause a serious problem, but itâs best to be safe.
Tell your doctor about any other medicines or herbs and supplements you take. Some medications interfere with the treatment or raise the risk of side effects. You may need to stop allergy shots if you take these medications.
If youâre pregnant or planning to get pregnant, ask your doctor whether you should continue to get allergy shots.
They Could Improve Mental Health
Allergies have the capacity to affect a person’s quality of life, which could include aspects of physical and mental health, according to a January 2016 Drug Discovery Today article
Further, researchers of a September 2018 study published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health found that “a history of seasonal allergies was associated with significantly higher odds of reporting lifetime mood disorders, anxiety disorders, and eating disorders.”
However, the January 2016 Drug Discovery Today article noted that studies have shown the positive affect that allergen immunotherapy can have on the quality of life for those with grass pollen allergies.
Therefore, if severe allergies have really taken a toll on your health and happiness, it’s possible that mental state can improve as well with the help of allergy shots or other immunotherapy options.
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Allergy Shots For Dogs Side Effects
Luckily, there are very few side effects of immunotherapy in dogs.
Your dog might have an increase in itchiness for the first couple of days after an injection. This can occur up to 48 hours after the injection and can last for hours to days, Dr. Harbour said.
A more severe side effect of allergy shots for dogs is anaphylaxis, or a severe allergic reaction, which can include the following symptoms:
- Redness or swelling at the injection site
Signs of anaphylaxis are extremely rare in dogs and cats, but because this is possible, we start with low doses and increase the volume of injections to a maintenance dose that the patient can tolerate, Dr. Harbour said.
How Do Allergy Shots Help
Allergy shots help the body build immunity to specific allergens, so it’s not as bothered by them. Allergy shots also can help kids who have allergies andasthma have fewer asthma flare-ups.
Allergy shots contain a tiny amount of a purified form of the allergen causing problems. Doctors increase the dose slowly over the first 36 months. This lets the immune system safely adjust and build immunity to the allergens. This is called the buildup phase.
The highest effective safe dose becomes a child’s monthly maintenance dose. Health care providers give this to the child for about 3 to 5 years. Most kids will need fewer shots over time.
Some kids’ allergy symptoms ease during the buildup phase. Others don’t feel better until they’re into the maintenance phase. After years of getting allergy shots, some may have lasting relief from symptoms.
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What Happens When Coming In For An Allergy Shot Without An Appointment
When a patient starts immunotherapy and chooses the traditional build-up schedule, they will receive notice when their vials are available at their shot room. We have 40+ offices throughout the region, and the office you choose to get allergy shots in does not have to be the same one where your appointment with your physician was if another is more convenient. After you receive notice, visit the office, check-in at the desk, and take a seat. Once your name is called, our staff will go over safety information during the first visit. At your first visit, you will also be given a scan card to let you sign in by scanning your card at the next visit. This barcode can also be stored on our patient app.
After the first visit, patients come in scan their card and take a seat so our shot room staff can get their vials ready.
Allergy Steroid Shot Cost
The cost of an allergy steroid shot depends on several factors, including the type of corticosteroid, the concentration, and the quantity. For example, kenalog-40 can range in price from approximately $15 to $100 per injection. That doesnt include the cost of administration by your doctor.
Your insurance plan may not cover steroid shots for allergies, as theyre not considered a first-line treatment. Contact your insurance provider to find out what your plan covers.
Steroid shots for allergies may relieve allergy symptoms. However, they can also trigger cause short- and long-term side effects.
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Allergy Shots: Side Effects & Reactions
It’s possible to have an allergic reaction to the allergy injection itself. Reactions may be local or systemic .
Systemic reactions may include:
- hay fever-like symptoms ,
- rarely, life-threatening reactions.
Serious systemic reactions may occur in patients with worsening asthma or asthma that’s not controlled well on medications. If you have noticed worsening asthmatic symptoms, notify your nurse or dermatologist immediately before receiving your scheduled injections.
Heavy exposure to pollen during pollen season and exercise after an injection may also increase your risk for allergic reactions to the injections. However, allergic reactions to the injections may occur even in the absence of these conditions.
They Contain Allergens So Reactions Can Happen
Allergy shots work by exposing patients to tiny amounts of whatever it is they’re allergic to. The amount of allergen in each injection increases gradually over time so the body can build up a tolerance.
“It changes the person’s immune system from having a bad reaction to pretty much ignoring the allergen,” Dr. Dziadzio said. “For some people, it decreases their allergies enough so they can come off medicine entirely, and for some it helps their medicines be more effective.”
But because allergens are involved, reactions to the shots themselves are possible. These can range from swelling and itching at the injection site to sneezing and a runny nose, to, in rare cases, anaphylactic shock, which is severe and could be life-threatening. That’s why it’s recommended that patients stay at their healthcare provider’s office for 30 minutes after each shot so they can be monitored and treated for reactions if they do occur, according to MedlinePlus.
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How Long Does A Steroid Shot For Allergies Last
Long-lasting steroid shots for allergies can last between three weeks and three months. During this time, the steroid is slowly released into your body.
A long-lasting shot may mean that you only require one shot per allergy season. However, long-lasting shots come with risks. In particular, theres no way to remove the steroid from your body if you experience side effects.
There are few studies examining the effectiveness of steroid shots over time, as the risk of serious side effects increases with repeated use.
Benefits Of Allergy Shots For Children
If your child has allergies, it is important that you seek the consultation of a qualified allergist who is experienced in treating children with allergies. As noted earlier, in addition to reducing your child’s symptoms, allergy shots may reduce the risk of developing allergic asthma . Allergy shots may also reduce the risk of developing the most severe consequence of allergies: anaphylaxis.
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How Do You Prepare For An Allergy Shot
Before you start allergy shots, youll need a full evaluation. The doctor needs to test your allergies to know exactly which substances to use in the shots.
For example, if you have allergies during pollen season, theyll test for which types of pollen cause your symptoms. Ragweed, grasses, and various tree pollens are common culprits.
Allergy testing usually consists of skin pricking. During a skin prick test, your doctor will prick the skin on your back or forearm with several types of allergens to determine which ones cause reactions.
A type of specialist known as an allergist or an immunologist will conduct all testing and treatment with allergy shots.
Once your doctor has identified your allergens, youll start receiving allergy shots. The process is broken down into two phases:
How Long To I Have To Keep Getting My Allergy Shots
There are two phases to allergy shot therapy: a build-up phase and a maintenance phase.
- Build-up phase: In this phase you will start with a low dose injection and build to a higher dose of allergens over time. For typical immunotherapy this phase lasts from 6 to 10 months, depending on how often you get your shots and how well you tolerate them. The build-up phase for venom therapy generally lasts for 10 weeks.
- Maintenance phase: When you reach your effective therapeutic dose you will begin the maintenance phase. During this phase you receive your allergy shots less often, usually every 3 to 4 weeks. The maintenance phase typically lasts 3-5 years .
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How To Prepare For Allergy Shots
There are several ways in which patients can prepare for their allergy shots. Any preparation, including taking medication, should be done in close consultation with ones doctor or allergist.
Some doctors may recommend that a patient avoid exercise or exertion in the hours before a shot. This is due to the fact that the increase in blood flow that results from exercise can spread the injectable medication too quickly.
The allergist may also recommend taking an antihistamine in advance of a shot. Patients should also alert their doctor and nurses if they are feeling unwell before a shot, especially if there is a history of asthma.
Are They Effective
Allergy shots are an extremely good way of treating allergies. They can also prevent the development of new allergies, and in children can stop allergen rhinitis turning into asthma.
They are effective in the treatment of allergic asthma and can relieve allergic reactions that lead to asthma episodes. These benefits can enhance breathing and lessen the need for people with asthma to take asthma medication.
A study conducted by the American College of Allergy Asthma and Immunology also found that pregnant women, who have allergy shots, during pregnancy, might decrease the chance of their baby developing allergies.
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How Well It Works
Allergy shots are effective in treating allergic rhinitis and allergic asthma. The shots reduce symptoms in those allergic to pollens, animal dander, dust mites, mould, and cockroaches. Experts do not know how long allergy shots work after you stop getting the shots. Some people may not have their allergies return. Others may have allergies return within a few years.footnote 1
Although you still need to avoid allergens, you may be able to use less medicine or stop using medicines.
Allergy Shots Are Usually Very Safe
Allergy shots are well-tolerated by most people, and any side effects tend to be minor. Your doctor will discuss possible side effects to look out for during your visit. Shots are suitable for most patients over the age of five.
The most common side effects are typical of any injection, which include redness, swelling, or itching at the injection site.
If you experience trouble breathing, dizziness, or throat swelling after an injection, its important to let your allergy provider know immediately. These may be signs of anaphylaxis, which is a rare but serious side effect. Your doctor will ask you to wait in the clinic for half an hour after getting an injection to monitor you for signs of anaphylaxis.
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