If you’ve noticed your dog scratching or biting at their skin or fur, they may have atopic dermatitis, which is an itchy inflammation of the skin caused by allergies. Atopic dermatitis affects almost 10 percent of dogs worldwide and many more in Arizona, and like human allergies, it can be triggered by pollens and molds during certain seasons or by dust mites and other allergens in our environment.
If this problem persists, atopic dermatitis can become a pretty serious health issue. When dogs are not treated, their skin can become extremely itchy, red, scaly and irritated, and it can eventually cause hair loss, skin infections and/or ear infections.
If any of this sounds familiar, you should talk to your Family VetCare doctor about CYTOPOINT, which 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.
Q: How does CYTOPOINT work?
A: 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 four to eight weeks as needed. Studies have shown that CYTOPOINT starts controlling itching one day after dogs receive the injection.
Q: Is CYTOPOINT safe for my dog?
A: 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.
Q: How long will one injection last?
A: One CYTOPOINT injection helps most dogs stop itching for four to eight 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!