Allergen Specific Immunotherapy (ASIT) is the gold standard for the safe, effective long-term management of atopic dermatitis. Used around the world for over thirty years, its purpose is to normalise the immune response to environmental airborne allergens, such as pollens, dust mites and moulds.
The goal of successful immunotherapy is to induce immune tolerance and reduce the need for other medication. The therapy is administered via subcutaneous injection every 2 weeks or drops under the tongue twice daily. The flexibility of this approach allows most owners to administer immunotherapy at home.
Immunotherapy is the only therapy with the potential to prevent progression of atopic dermatitis.
50-70% of dogs with atopic dermatitis and
60-80% of cats with feline atopic skin syndrome
Proven effectiveness
Successful response in:At least 50%fewer skin and ear infections
At least a 50% reduction in the need for other treatments or medication
Immunotherapy has a slow onset of action which can be up to 12 months although improvement is to be expected after 6 months for atopic patients. This is why a commitment of 12 months is necessary, and if effective, treatment will most likely be continued for the patient’s lifetime.
Our immunotherapy services are effective for managing:Atopic dermatitis
Environmental allergies (e.g., pollen, dust mites)
Chronic ear infections
Hives and other allergic skin reactions
Conditions We Treat
Successful immunotherapy outcomes depend on the suitability of the patient and client, as well as compliance with the treatment. Our process makes it easy for your clinic to determine if immunotherapy is right for your patient.
A diagnosis of atopic dermatitis
Successful run through of immunotherapy screening checklist.
Processing of patient information.
Blood sample submitted for allergy testing e.g. Heska Allercept IgE serology test.
Analysis of test results and patient history by our registered specialist.
Tailored formulation of immunotherapy treatment and plan.
Our Process
Download our Immunotherapy flowchart
Check if immunotherapy right for your patient with our free checklist below.
Access to immunotherapy in New Zealand has required referral to a veterinary dermatologist. We are proud to say that RASH is Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI) and Agricultural Compounds and Veterinary Medicines (ACVM) approved to offer immunotherapy by prescription.
You now have the opportunity to offer a long term, proven treatment to patients with atopic dermatitis when referral to a dermatologist is not an option.
You’re probably wondering…
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Immunotherapy is the gold standard for the safe, effective, long-term treatment of atopic dermatitis and should be considered as an important part of the multi-model approach to management of this complex and chronic disease.
Immunotherapy normalises the immune response to environmental airborne allergens and is the only therapy that has the potential to prevent progression of the disease. With a successful response rate of 70% of horses with atopic dermatitis, immunotherapy helps to manage equine allergies with symptoms of pruritic dermatitis, urticaria and allergic respiratory disease. It also reduces the need for additional medications and has no withholding period.
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We will give you a checklist for determining if immunotherapy is right for your patient. If the patient passes the initial checklist, you then collect a blood sample and submit it for an allergy test, for example, the Heska Allercept test available through Awanui Veterinary. The test results and clinical history will be reviewed by Helen to formulate the immunotherapy prescription which is then sent to you, along with instructions. The patient’s care will remain with you, but we are here to help if you need advice.