Help your pup conquer seasonal allergies with Cytopoint!
With warm weather right around the corner, allergies are starting to act up. Just like humans, many dogs are affected by seasonal allergies. Allergies in dogs show up as skin problems, typically signaled by licking, biting, scratching, etc. The discomfort from the allergy itself can be doubled when secondary (bacterial and/or yeast) infections on the skin occur. Though it depends on what your dog is allergic to, allergies are commonly seen seasonally in the spring, summer, and fall.
There are many medication options for seasonal allergies. All of them have their pros and cons. Some common medications work well but have annoying side effects. Others are very safe, but are only minimally effective. Recently, a new injection known as Cytopoint was added to your veterinarian’s arsenal to combat the itch associated with your pet’s allergy.
What is Cytopoint?
Cytopoint is an injection works by decreasing the itch associated with allergies. It does this by blocking IL-31, a cytokine that triggers the process of sending itch signals to the brain. Cytokines are a protein that signals other cells by binding to receptors on those cells. Basically, the cytopoint blocks the itch from being felt by the brain and thus stops the licking, biting, scratching, and discomfort associated with allergies.
When given, Cytopoint begins relieving itching within one day and injections last for 4-8 weeks. They can be repeated as needed. Cytopoint is very safe for dogs of all ages, even those with other diseases, and can be used with many other common medications. It has little to no side effects and has minimal effects on the immune system as a whole.
If your dog has signs that may be consistent with seasonal allergies, please don’t hesitate to contact us to see if Cytopoint might be a good fit for you!
Written by: Derek Williamson, DVM
Companion Animal Hospital Vernon Hills
Crawford Animal Hospital
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