Anyone who gives allergy shots

Do you think it will affect her differently when we give her the next shot?

 
That is a question for your Vet. And you also need to let them know about this also.
My Derm Vet.makes the serum up right there so I don't have to wait but I also make sure when Im getting close to any med's that Alley is to be on constantly that I don't run out.
If you see your getting close to being out of something call or have a back up vial or bottle of any med's your dog is to be on for a long while.
 
I personally for myself keep a back up of meds or when I see Im a week out I call and get my perscription. Its the same with our pets....

  I agree with Kim; you need to check with your vet. My guess is that since it will be a fresh, and thusly more potent vial, the vet may suggest giving half the dose for the next shot. The potency decreases with time; after 6 months the serum loses about 50% its effectiveness. I'm glad to hear Bogey's improving; maximum effectiveness is reached in about a year, but we saw a lot of improvement with Jessie within 3 months. There will probably be times when you will still need to use an antihistamine or other supportive therapy like baths; that was the case with Jessie in August, but if she does have flare ups the symptoms should be less severe and respond to treatment quickly.

I agree with Kim; you need to check with your vet. My guess is that since it will be a fresh, and thusly more potent vial, the vet may suggest giving half the dose for the next shot. The potency decreases with time; after 6 months the serum loses about 50% its effectiveness. I'm glad to hear Bogey's improving; maximum effectiveness is reached in about a year, but we saw a lot of improvement with Jessie within 3 months. There will probably be times when you will still need to use an antihistamine or other supportive therapy like baths; that was the case with Jessie in August, but if she does have flare ups the symptoms should be less severe and respond to treatment quickly.

Hi Jessie's mom. Thanks for the info. It's totally my fault for not ordering more sooner. I've got the schedule of dates for giving her the shots and I messed up. I will call the vet. She started the shots the beginning of Nov, so this has been about 3 months and we are just beginning to see some results - like you with Jessie. And there are days when I give her antihistimines as well. We've had a pretty mild winter (to now - Chicago) so am hoping that with some recent snow and freezes that will help. And I've been giving her baths every couple weeks which seems to help as well. She got one yesterday. Oh well - we live and we learn. Glad to hear that the shots have been helpful for Jessie, too. Do you give them monthly? How long have you been giving them?

   Jessie gets 1cc every 2 weeks, but during August and September when she was having flare ups the derm vet changed her to a weekly schedule, which helped stop the flare ups. I used to feel so helpless because it seemed like nothing really seemed to help; she would only get a few days relief from a bath and OTC antihistamines didn't seem to work either except for Tavist, which eased her itchy ears a little. The frequency of the shots can be increased during times when Jessie's itchy, and they work.
  By the way, remember how I gave you a hard time about the blood testing for food allergies because my derm vet doesn't think it's reliable? [] It looks like I was wrong; I've come across this;   [linkhttp://www.bmslab.com/index.php?pid=204]http://www.bmslab.com/index.php?pid=204[/link]; [align=left]    [font=lucidasansunicode][color=#3f5b9b][size=3][align=left]In the past, serum assays for the measurement of food antigen-specific IgE lacked the[align=left]reproducibility and clinical sensitivity necessary to reliably predict the clinical course of food[align=left]allergy, in controlled research studies. Such studies sought to compare the efficacy of in vitro IgE[align=left]assays with intradermal testing and DBPCFC, and are difficult to perform without standardized,[align=left]well-defined antigens. The increasing availability of standardized antigens along with[align=left]improvements in assay technology over the past 30 years, has allowed the documentation of a[align=left]direct relationship between food antigen-specific IgE and clinically recognizable allergic reactions.[align=left]Several recent human studies have demonstrated the efficacy of measuring serum IgE levels for the[align=left]accurate prediction of allergic reactions to a number of food antigens, thus decreasing reliance[align=left]upon food elimination trials4-10.[align=left]Bio-Medical Services[align=left]Tel 1-800-444-2370 or 512-794-9655[align=left]info@bmslab.com[align=left]In a recent report, a group of 5 (Maltese x beagle) dogs with suspected food hypersensitivity was[align=left]studied, compared with a control group of 5 clinically normal dogs. Symptoms of food allergy[align=left](pruritis, otitis, diarrhea) improved during the feeding of an elimination diet, and worsened when[align=left]targeted food antigens (corn, wheat, soy and milk proteins) were re-introduced. Antigen-specific[align=left]serum IgE levels were measured by ELISA in both allergic and control groups. The authors were[align=left]able to show that in the (Maltese x beagle) allergic group, corn-specific IgE levels were significantly[align=left]higher than control values, and decreased rapidly in response to the feeding of an elimination diet,[align=left]accompanied by improvement in allergic reactions. Re-challenge with the allergen-containing diet[align=left]caused a reappearance of clinical symptoms, along with a rapid increase in detectable corn-specific[align=left]IgE. In the control group, no changes in corn-specific IgE were observed in response to dietary[align=left]changes[/color]5557[/font][color=#3f5b9b].[align=left]At Bio-Medical Services, we have been performing the food PET ELISA since 1985. Our test is[align=left]reliable, fast and accurate. In animals tested for food allergies multiple times over several years,[align=left]we have observed that high test scores to food antigens almost always fall, following elimination of[align=left]the offending food. We continue to hear from our community of veterinarians, that the Bio-[align=left]Medical Services food test has improved the lives of countless numbers of dogs, cats and horses,[align=left]through the targeted identification of sensitizing food allergens.[align=left] [align=left]    [/size][/color][/font][/size][/color][/font]I don't know which company did the testing for Bogie, but it looks like blood testing for food allergies can be accurate; sorry I told you differently before. []

I don't know which company did the testing for Bogie, but it looks like blood testing for food allergies can be accurate; sorry I told you differently before.

Thanks. I know that companies might differ just like different doctors give different diagnoses (hope it's not ofte, though). But I really do feel that the blood test gave accurate results because we've cut out beef, corn, lamb, milk and turkey and that in conjunction with the shots she seems much better. Like they say, it often takes from 4-9 months to see GOOD results, but it's only been 3 and we see some light at the end of the tunnel. I imagine that, like Jessie, we're going to have to give more frequent shots to Bogey when she's really itchy because there were so many environmental allergens present for her. I am using, which was suggested by her vet, Chlortrimeton, which seems to help a bit - appears that Benadryl had no effect on her any longer. How much Tavist do you give Jessie? How much does she weigh? Bogey's main itchy spots are her feet - she really doesn't scratch her ears much - prior to the shots, it was her feels and her eyes and nose. They were always red - it's so nice to see her pretty little hazel eyes again! Thanks for all the info. I'll keep you posted.

I don't know which company did the testing for Bogie, but it looks like blood testing for food allergies can be accurate; sorry I told you differently before

Oh, I forgot to mention, but the company that did Bogey's testing was VARL in Pasadena, CA. I read up on it and it says that it's got some of the best and most consistent results of any out there (so they say . . .

My aunt gives her cocker spaniel allergy shots, one every week and half, I am not sure how much she gets, but once in a while I dog sit for her and I have to give her the shot. It has helped her alot, it is the only think that has worked for her dog. Sorry I do not the answer to your question but just though I'd let you know that it does work very well for her dog.

How much Tavist do you give Jessie? How much does she weigh? Bogey's main itchy spots are her feet - she really doesn't scratch her ears much - prior to the shots, it was her feels and her eyes and nose. They were always red - it's so nice to see her pretty little hazel eyes again! Thanks for all the info. I'll keep you posted.

 
  Jessie weighs 62 pounds and can have 2 Tavist twice a day.  I alternate it with the rescription antihistamine Doxepin every few months because I hope that will lessen any potential side effects of either drug. Bogey's eyes are the same color as mine; glad they're not red anymore. []

Jessie weighs 62 pounds and can have 2 Tavist twice a day. I alternate it with the prescription antihistamine Doxepin every few months because I hope that will lessen any potential side effects of either drug. Bogey's eyes are the same color as mine; glad they're not red anymore.

 
Thanks for all your suggestions. It's nice to have someone to commiserate (sp?) with.  Have a good evening.[]

After such a long time, ask the doctor how you should start up again. I have to order mine from Houston, so I always make sure I have plenty.
 
I give Trudy her shot once a week. She is doing just great. Has been about 2 1/2 years now. She takes Hydroxyzine. Works well for her. I am thankful I had the skin testing from a derm. vet.

When Ollie was on the shots, Mike was given the serum for the whole time,,,about 6 months worth DATED because the serum was stronger with each shot. He was given it once a week.
It had to be kept in the fridge.

Jessie's mom:
 
I don't think you were wrong originally.  You know I've been going out of town to a specialist - she is fairly well-renowned.  Books, articles, research, etc.    She said I had to do the food challenge as it was the only reliable indicator.
 
Another thing, somewhat off-topic, but I had started my other dog on thryroid meds b/c he wasn't feeling well, and I didn't know what it was and I thought it was low according to Dr. Dodds standards.  Well, this vet saw him one day when I happened to be there for his sister and he had had "seizures" that weekend, and the night before my vet visit.  She called it "tremors", but that's not the story I'm trying to tell. []    So, I told her I was going by Dr. Dodds guidlines for the thyroid, and she said she was a very good friend of hers (in fact they have done some research together based on articles with both names on them), but that Dr. Dodds protocols weren't accepted proof yet - and she wanted me to take him back off the meds (he was NOT officially low to begin with - about at 40%).   So, I think IF a lab came up with a good assay for food allergies, it wouldn't be conclusivley proven to be effective at this point.  This specialy vet really stays up on things, and I think she would have done the bloodwork if she felt a proven, reliable test was out there for food issues.