Allergy Shots for Dogs

Allergy shots for dogs should be administered only by a veterinary dermatologist, who is a specialist in the diagnosis and treatment of allergies in animals. In the United States, veterinary dermatologists should have board certification of the American College of Veterinary Dermatology (ACVD). The idea behind the involved process of getting allergy shots for dogs is to cure middle-aged or older dogs from a year-round inhalant allergy. This form of dog allergies treatment is not as effective in younger dogs. At the present time allergy shots are not advised for food allergies because the reliability of desensitization so low. This form of dog allergies treatment involves a series of vaccination shots administered over a period of time, usually between four and twelve months, on average. Each dog allergy shot contains a hyposensitising vaccine that has been created for the allergies specific to your dog. The vaccine is safe but must be administered on a strict schedule.

At the beginning, a small dose of the vaccine is injected into the dog daily. As time goes by, the amount of vaccine is gradually increased and the frequency of vaccination is reduced. If all goes to plan, the dog will tolerate the allergen and will no longer have an allergenic reaction. However, this treatment does not always work. The rate of complete success is about 50%, with about 25% having partial success. The treatment fails about 25% of the time. This is the same response rate for humans undergoing desensitization. Many dog owners give the shots to their own dog. You will be taught the correct procedure. If this is not done, then the dog will have to be driven to the veterinarian’s office for each shot.

Also, be aware that this form of dog allergies treatment is expensive. In fact it is the most expensive form of treatment available. But it is the most effective and desirable—if it works. In a few cases, this dog allergies treatment is successful as long as vaccinations continue, sometimes for several years, and in a very few cases for life. This could mean a vaccination once a week, once a month or only an occasional booster. Although there are distinct draw-backs to this form of dog allergies treatment it is nevertheless the ideal way to treat inhalant allergies. Whether allergy shots for dogs are a good choice depends on you and dog’s circumstances. Every case is different.