Itchy Pets: A Sure Sign of Spring

Welcome to spring in Arizona! You may have noticed that our wonderful spring weather brings with it some not-so-wonderful itching. If you’ve noticed your dog scratching or biting at his skin or fur, he may have atopic dermatitis, an itchy inflammation of the skin caused by allergies.
Canine atopic dermatitis is a common allergic skin disease, affecting almost 10% of dogs worldwide and many more in Arizona.

Like human allergies, it can be triggered by pollens and molds during certain seasons or by dust mites and other allergens in the environment.

Over time, atopic dermatitis can become a pretty serious health issue. If your dog is not treated, his skin can become extremely itchy, red, scaly and irritated, and it can eventually cause hair loss, skin infections and/or ear infections.

Many dogs with atopic dermatitis lose interest in playing, and many owners report being awoken in the night to sounds of licking, chewing and scratching. This constant itching and scratching can have a negative effect on your dog’s daily life and happiness—and even on your dog’s relationship with you and your family.

If this sounds familiar, talk to your Family VetCare veterinarian about CYTOPOINT. CYTOPOINT is an innovative new therapy that can help control itching at its source and relieve signs of atopic dermatitis for 1-2 months with just one injection.

Frequently Asked Questions about CYTOPOINT

How does CYTOPOINT work?
CYTOPOINT is a biological therapy, so it’s quite different from most drugs that treat itching.  It contains antibodies, which are used by the immune system to defend against disease and infection, and these antibodies are engineered to be very similar to dogs’ natural antibodies. CYTOPOINT’s antibodies neutralize the proteins that tell your dog to itch, not only reducing scratching, but reducing the desire to itch and scratch. CYTOPOINT can be administered every 4 to 8 weeks as needed. Studies have shown that CYTOPOINT starts controlling itching one day after dogs receive the injection.

Is CYTOPOINT safe for my dog?
A clinical study showed that dogs that received CYTOPOINT had no side effects, and it’s safe for dogs of all ages. It can also be used in conjunction with other medications.

How long will one injection last?
One CYTOPOINT injection helps most dogs stop itching for 4 to 8 weeks. Every dog is different, so your Family VetCare veterinarian will help you monitor your pet so we can figure out how often your dog will need injections.

If you have any questions regarding your dog’s allergies and treatment options, please feel free to contact Family VetCare. We are dedicated to helping your pets have an allergy-controlled spring, and we’re thankful for the trust you’ve placed in our team to help keep them happy and healthy!

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