Allergen‑Specific Immunotherapy (ASIT), Allergy Injections for Dogs and Cats
Allergen-specific immunotherapy is a targeted treatment for environmental allergies in dogs and cats. It is designed to retrain your pet’s immune system to tolerate the environmental allergens that trigger their symptoms, helping reduce itching, inflammation and long‑term reliance on medications. ASIT addresses the underlying cause of allergies triggered by airborne allergens rather than just managing signs and symptoms.
When Is Immunotherapy Used?
Allergen-specific immunotherapy is typically recommended for dogs and cats with confirmed environmental allergic skin disease, particularly where signs are ongoing, recurrent or require long-term management. It is most often introduced after diagnostic testing has identified relevant environmental triggers.
This may include pets showing signs such as:
- persistent itching, scratching or chewing at the skin in dogs or itching, scratching or overgrooming in cats
- recurrent ear problems or ear infections in dogs or ear problems, irritation or discharge in cats
- licking or chewing paws in dogs or paw, nail or claw conditions in cats
- ongoing skin redness, irritation or rash in dogs or scabs, sores or skin lesions in cats
In many cases, these signs are associated with conditions such as:
- dog allergies or cat allergies (environmental, food or flea allergy)
- ear disease in dogs or ear disease in cats
- skin infections in dogs or skin infections in cats
Immunotherapy is typically recommended following airborne environmental allergy testing, where results are used to formulate a customised treatment plan targeting the allergens most relevant to your pet.
What Immunotherapy Involves
ASIT is personalised and formulated based on your pet’s allergy test results from intradermal testing or serum IgE testing. The goal of immunotherapy is to help your pet gradually build tolerance to identified allergens, helping reduce allergic reactions and discomfort over time.
Treatment Phases:
- Build‑Up (Induction): Small doses of personalised allergen extract are given with gradually increasing amounts to safely introduce the immune system to the allergens.
- Maintenance: Once the target dose is reached, injections are given at less frequent intervals to maintain immune tolerance. Typical maintenance schedules are every 3–4 weeks, tailored to your pet’s response.
Quality You Can Trust:
Our immunotherapy formulations are prepared under strict quality controls in a purpose‑built pharmaceutical facility. Each batch undergoes rigorous checks for correct allergen concentration, sterility and stability. No preparation is released until all specifications are verified and documented, ensuring consistency and safety in every vial.
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Administering Immunotherapy
Rush Induction
For suitable pets, a Rush Induction may be recommended to accelerate the build-up phase of immunotherapy.
This in-clinic treatment allows your pet to reach their maintenance dose within a single day, under continuous in-clinic supervision.
Rush Induction may be considered when:
- Earlier progression to maintenance dosing is clinically appropriate.
- Frequent early injections are difficult to manage at home.
- Close monitoring in a controlled clinical setting is preferred.
Subcutaneous Injections
ASIT is delivered through subcutaneous immunotherapy injections.
- Typically administered at home with prior guidance from our team.
- Injections are given under the skin in areas comfortable for your pet.
- Training and clear instructions are provided to ensure you feel confident administering injections at home, with guidance on technique and monitoring for reactions, particularly during the early stages of treatment.
- Most pets tolerate injections very well, with minimal discomfort.
Sublingual Immunotherapy (SLIT)
Sublingual Immunotherapy (SLIT) is an alternative used in a small number of cases where subcutaneous injections are not suitable or well tolerated:
Delivers the allergen formulation as drops under the tongue.
Administered at home once daily.
Many pets accept it easily, and it has a favourable safety profile.
It is generally considered only when injections are impractical or poorly tolerated, and your clinician will determine whether it is appropriate based on your pet’s clinical response and overall allergy management goals.
Ongoing Care and Management
Maintaining regular immunotherapy helps your pet continue building tolerance to identified allergens. Revisit appointments with our clinic help to ensure your pet’s therapy remains effective and continues uninterrupted.
Practical points for achieving the best results from immunotherapy:
- A consistent supply of your pet's personalised formulation is important to ensure the therapy remains effective.
- Supplies generally last about six months, depending on your pet’s dosing schedule.
- We recommend reordering 1–2 months before your current supply runs out to avoid interruptions, as each formulation is carefully prepared in a specialised facility and may take time to be produced.
- Plan ahead for end-of-year closures, when our supplier may not available.
If your pet is already receiving immunotherapy or needs repeat supplies, please contact our team before the current supply runs low.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take for immunotherapy to start working?
Immunotherapy works gradually. Some pets show improvement within three to six months, while others may take up to twelve months. Improvements are typically progressive, as the immune system is retrained over time rather than suppressed.
Will my pet still need other medications while on immunotherapy?
Many pets require additional medications during the early stages of treatment to keep them comfortable. As immunotherapy becomes effective, reliance on other medications may be reduced. Your clinician will guide any changes based on your pet’s response.
Is immunotherapy safe?
Allergen-specific immunotherapy has been used in veterinary dermatology for decades and has an excellent safety profile. Mild reactions such as temporary local swelling or increased itchiness can occur, particularly during the early phases.
Serious reactions are uncommon, and clear guidance is provided on monitoring and what to do if concerns arise.
Is immunotherapy a cure for allergies?
Immunotherapy is not a cure, but it is the only treatment that targets the underlying cause of environmental allergies.
Many pets experience substantial long term improvement and reduced reliance on other medications.
How long will my pet need to stay on immunotherapy?
Most pets remain on immunotherapy long-term to maintain tolerance to allergens. Some may be able to reduce dosing frequency over time, while others benefit from ongoing maintenance. This is reviewed regularly during revisit appointments.
What happens if a dose is missed?
Missing a single dose is usually not a problem, but timing is important, particularly during the build up phase. If a dose is missed or delayed, contact our team for advice before administering the next dose, as adjustments may be required.
Pricing
Initial consultation: $425
Revisit consultation: $205
Cytology: $99
Intradermal allergy testing: $900
All other fees discussed during consultation
Referring Vets
If you are a veterinarian referring a patient for this service, please use our referral form or contact our team with relevant history, previous test results, current medications and treatment response.