Immunotherapy

Free your pet from common allergens, with minimum side effects. Access a dedicated veterinary team, ensuring the best care possible for your fur baby.

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Common Questions For Dogs

EverPal client with a cat in a virtual vet visit

Common Questions For Cats

Learn more about

immunotherapy

in dogs and cats

What is immunotherapy?

Understanding Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy, also known as allergy shots or hyposensitization, is a treatment method used to manage allergies in dogs. It involves gradually exposing the dog to increasing amounts of the allergen sources, desensitizing the immune system and reducing allergic reactions.

How does immunotherapy work?

We formulate a special serum tailored to your dog, containing tiny amounts of the allergens. It might sound strange to treat allergies with the very things that trigger them, but this method has been proven to work. It involves giving your dog injections (or oral treatments) that gradually increase in allergen content until a stable dose is reached.

How do I know if my dog needs allergy shots?

Dogs that might benefit from immunotherapy typically suffer from chronic allergies that do not respond well to conventional treatments. Your vet can perform tests to identify specific allergens and determine if immunotherapy is a suitable treatment option.

How is this different from medications?

Unlike typical allergy medications that just relieve symptoms, immunotherapy helps your dog's immune system learn to handle allergens more effectively. The earlier in your dog’s life ASIT is started, the more effective it tends to be.

Diagnosis

The term "allergy test" can be misleading. The allergy testing isn't to confirm if your dog has allergies, but to identify the specific allergens involved. We can conduct blood testing for allergies, also known as RAST testing, to understand the sources of allergen. This test involves sending a blood sample of your dog to a specialized laboratory, where the levels of proteins in response to the allergens are assessed.

Treatment Options

Based on the allergy test result, your vet will help determine the formula for the customized serum and advise on dosage. Immunotherapy can be administered in two main forms.

The first form is subcutaneous injections. Allergen extracts are injected under the dog's skin, usually on a weekly basis initially, then gradually extending the interval between shots as advised by your veterinarian.

The second form is sublingual immunotherapy, where allergen extracts are given in a liquid form under the tongue. This method can be a good alternative for dogs that do not tolerate injections.

The response to immunotherapy varies. Some dogs may show improvements within a few months, while others might take a year or more. Generally, it is a long-term commitment. Be patient because immunotherapy will not show an immediate effect.

How EverPal works

One-to-One Dedicated Care

1

Book an online vet appointment

Pick a time and get expert care from top veterinarians from home. Our veterinarian will review your pet's medical history in advance.

2

In-home diagnostic testing

If testing is needed, our veterinary nurse team will stop by your home to collect a sample. Currently serving San Francisco, South San Francisco, Daly City, Oakland, and Berkeley.

3

Follow-up care

Follow-up virtual visit with your dedicated veterinarian to discuss testing results, multiple treatment options and recommended treatment plan

4

Get medications shipped to you

We'll ship medications to you. Alternatively, pick them up from your local pharmacy.

Pricing that lets you focus on caring for your fur baby

$69

MONTHLY

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Immunotherapy Program

All virtual consultations

Prescription management

Follow-up care

Ongoing support from care team

Detailed medical records

Diagnostic tests and medications are not included in the membership. We believe in providing expert guidance without unnecessary costs. You only pay for what your furry family member truly needs. Rest assured, we’ll always give you an estimate before rendering services.