allergy treatment diary

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Treatment formulated from results obtained via the patentedtest

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With each initial treatment set order placed, an educational DVD for the pet parents comes inside the front cover of the treatment diary, as shown here. If you’d like to review the DVD’s contents please go to:

www.Vetallergy.com/pet-parent/video/

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WELCOME TO THE SPECTRUM LABS’ FAMILY!We know first hand that having a pet with allergies is no fun,

but we strive to make it as painless as possible.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Injection Calendar & Overview ............................................... 4-5

Frequently Asked Questions ...................................................... 6-7

Administering Injections ................................................................ 8

Common Allergy Symptoms ...................................................... 12

Post-Injection Notations ......................................................... 13-17

Steroid’s Adverse Effects ............................................................ 18

Treatment Overview DVD .......................................................... 19

We’re not just pet advocates, we’re pet parents ourselves!

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DOSAGE SCHEDULE

Dose Day Interval 0.1ml 1 0 0.2ml 3 2 0.4ml 5 2 0.6ml 7 2 0.8ml 9 2 1.0ml 11 2 1.0ml 13 2 1.0ml 15 2 1.0ml 20 5

Dose Day Interval

0.1ml 25 5 0.2ml 30 5 0.4ml 36 6 0.6ml 42 6 0.8ml 48 6 1.0ml 58 10 1.0ml 68 10 1.0ml 78 10 1.0ml 88 10

Dose Day Interval

0.3ml 98 10 0.5ml 112 14 0.5ml 133 21 0.6ml 163 30 0.8ml 193 30 1.0ml 223 30 1.0ml 253 30 1.0ml 283 30

CALL YOUR Veterinarian TO ORDER MAINTENANCE

most diluteconcentration

intermediateconcentration

strongestconcentration

Vial A GREEN

Vial B BLUE

Vial C RED

PLEASE NOTE: Refrigerate vials upon receipt. Keep refrigerated throughout use; however contents should be brought to room temperature before injection.

Dosage Schedule Ledger Begins on Page 13

Acclimation phase

Final concentration

of allergen used for

maintenance

UNDERSTANDING THE DOSAGE SCHEDULEThe dosage schedule provided shows the standard protocol most pets can utilize. It indicates which vial to use, how much to inject and when to give the injections. The Build-Up Phase (Vials A & B) increases the pet’s tolerance to the allergens they have shown reactivity to. PLEASE NOTE: Vial A and Vial B may not necessarily provide relief; however, the symptoms should not increase during the first 48 hours after the injection. If they do, please contact your Veterinarian with the pertinent information addressed on (page 7) of this booklet.

Acclimation Phase

Maintenance Phase

If you are concerned about being able to keep on track with injections (maintenance or initial), we have text/email reminders available for your convenience. Go to www.vetallergy.com

to sign up for this complimentary service.

• The dosage schedule begins with 0.1ml from Vial A (Green top), the most dilute vial.

• The amount injected slowly increases until a dose of 1.0ml from Vial A (Green) is reached.

• The next dose after 1.0ml from Vial A (Green), will be from Vial B (Blue). The Blue vial is 4Xs more concentrated than Vial A, and the amount of the injection will decrease to 0.1ml. Again, the amount injected will slowly increase until a dose of 1.0ml from Vial B (Blue) is reached.

• Vial C (Red) is 3X more concentrated than Vial B (Blue), 12Xs more concentrated than Vial A. Again the dosage will decrease, however this time you will start with a 0.3ml injection and slowly increase to a 1.0ml injection.

• Injections of all 3 vials are at increasing intervals starting at a two-day interval working all the way up to 30-day intervals at approximately 5 months from start date.

• Each time a new Maintenance Vial is started the first injection (30 days from the last injection of previous vial) will be at half dosage or 0.5ml. Wait 15 days (from that .5ml injection) and give a full 1.0ml injection and resume 30-day intervals at that stage.

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Why allergy injections?As you know, there is no cure for allergies. Since it is unrealistic to avoid all the things your pet reacts to, we turn to hyposensitization or allergy injections to help manage their allergies and allergic outbreaks (symptoms) in place of other drugs to mask the symptoms and cause harmful side effects. (See page 12 for more information on steroid’s adverse effects)

What is hyposensitization?Hyposensitization can be defined as the process of in-creasing your pet’s tolerance to those allergens to which it tested positive. It is important to realize that allergies are not “cured” in the traditional sense of the word. Instead we inject small, controlled amounts of the offending allergen just under the skin. This type of exposure will retrain your pet’s immune system to deal with future exposure to the allergens and reduce or eliminate its symptoms.

I don’t like injections isn’t there any other way to give the allergen?While we can certainly appreciate that most people don’t enjoy giving or getting injections, in most cases all your pet is going to feel is the minor pinch that comes from the tenting of the skin. The relief your pet is likely to experience far outweighs this minimal discomfort.

How long until I see improvement?Unlike previous medications you may have used, hyposensitization is a long-term process. You and your Veterinarian have opted to go this route because of its effectiveness (up to 90%), safety, and absence of harmful side effects. Vials A & B are geared towards increasing your pet’s tolerance to the offending allergens. It is usually by Vial C that you can expect to see improve-ment (3-5 months), but this can vary from pet to pet. Some animals show response a lot sooner, and yet others take longer to reach the same endpoint.

How long will my pet need allergy injections?Hyposensitization is an allergy management system that is usually required for life since allergies are a lifelong problem. As your pet’s threshold (tolerance) increases, the time between injections will also increase. After approximately 5 months you will be giving injections once a month.

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What side effects should I expect?While side effects are uncommon, the most reported include increased itching and/or redness. On very rare occasions animals may develop symptoms such as hives, vomiting, diarrhea or lethargy. In most cases, if the increase in symptoms are related to the hyposensitization they will occur within in the 48 hours following an injection and are easily reversed. (See page 12 for more information on common allergy symptoms)

What should I do if symptoms get worse or return?Don’t panic! Simply discontinue allergy injections and call your Veterinarian. Make sure to have the following information for them: the date of the lastinjection, dosage amount, color of vial, what the reactions are/were, and how soon after the injections the symptoms occured. You will be giving injections once again, but using a modified schedule.

I have two sets, why? How does the administration of two sets differ from one set?In some cases pets have too many reacting allergens to all fit into one set and still be effective, therefore we must break them up into two separate sets. We do this to ensure each allergen is absorbed properly so that the maximum effect can by achieved.

What should I do if I miss an injection?You should make every effort to adhere to the schedule; however a day or two either way will not make a major difference, especially once the injec-tions are spaced further apart. If it has been more than a few days please contact your Veterinarian with the following information: the date of the last injection, dosage amount, color of vial, how the animal was doing prior to stopping, and the reason for stopping.

When should I order a refill?After the last dosage is given, contact your Veterinarian to have new extract made. It usually arrives within a week or so, giving plenty of time before the next injection is due.

When is the best time to give my pet their injection?Give your pet his/her injection at a time when you can observe them for 1 hour after the injection and after he/she has been fed and exercised.

STILL HAVE QUESTIONS? Visit our website at www.vetallergy.com

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HOW TO GIVE INJECTIONS1. Store vials in the refrigerator. On the day an injection is due, remove from the refrigerator and allow to come to room temperature (about 20 minutes). Once at room temperature you are ready to give the injection.

2. Swab the top of the vial with alcohol.

3. Using a syringe, withdraw prescribed amount. Make sure you have the correct amount. There is a big difference between 0.1ml and 1.0ml. (FIGURE 1) remember if you have a pet with two sets of allergen, each set will need it’s own sterile syringe for every injection and be given at a different site on the body.

4. Check syringe to make sure there are no bubbles present. If there are, simply flick the top of the syringe with your finger to remove them. (FIGURE 2)

5. To administer injection, lift the back of your pet’s neck creating a “tent”. (FIGURE 3)

6. With the other hand, quickly and firmly insert the needle at the base of the “tent”, being careful not to stick the needle in too deep. The layer of skin you are striving for is the subcutaneous layer, just below the surface.

7. Once needle is inserted, withdraw the plunger slightly, if there is no blood present, push the plunger all the way down to inject allergen, then remove needle.

8. Rub your hand over the injection site, massaging it just a bit.

9. Shower with praise and reward your pet with a well deserved treat!

10. Return vial back in refrigerator.

11. Watch for reactions as instructed (see next page).

12. Record injection information: date, amount given, color of vial and your pet’s response.

(Ledger begins on page 13 of this booklet)

FIGURE 1

FIGURE 2

FIGURE 3

OW!

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WATCH FOR REACTIONS Observe your pet for 45 minutes to 1 hour after each injection. If you notice an increase in symptoms, it could mean that the current dose is too strong. Do NOT continue increasing the dose if your pet has a reaction, call your Veterinarian for further instructions. Make sure to have the following information for them: the date of the last injection, dosage amount, color of vial, what the reactions are/were, and how soon after the injections the symptoms occured.

Common reactions may include:

Extremely rare reactions may include:

If there are no reactions, continue to follow dosing schedule. If symptoms appear to get worse within 48 hours of an injection, contact your Veterinarian for possible adjustment to the schedule, see above for required information.

VIALS LEFT UNREFRIGERATED In most cases allergen vials left out of the refrigerator are still going to be good for use. Guidelines to determine if your vials are OK to continue administering:

If the allergenic extract is clear and free of particulate it is safe to use; if it is cloudy or there is any particular matter please contact your Veterinarian for areplacement vial(s).

• Place vial back into the refrigerator for 24-48 hours

• Once cold, visually inspect them to ensure the extract making sure it is clear (not cloudy) and free of particulates (nothing floating after shaking)

• When shaking vials, remember that bubbles float, particulates sink

• Hives• Vomiting• Diarrhea• Lethargy (abnormal drowsiness or sluggishness)

• Inflammation at injection site• Increased itchiness and/or redness

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Paste your personalizedcalendar across these

two pages.

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To obtain your personalized calendar, please visit

www.lab.vetallergy.com/calendars/

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COMMON ALLERGY SYMPTOMS

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DOSING SCHEDULE LEDGER Date Amount Given Strength How is pet doing?

Continue recording the dosage schedule and your pets response to each injection on the next page.

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DOSING SCHEDULE LEDGER Date Amount Given Strength How is pet doing?

Continue recording the dosage schedule and your pets response to each injection on the next page.

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DOSING SCHEDULE LEDGER Date Amount Given Strength How is pet doing?

Continue recording the dosage schedule and your pets response to each injection on the next page.

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DOSING SCHEDULE LEDGER Date Amount Given Strength How is pet doing?

Continue recording the dosage schedule and your pets response to each injection on the next page.

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DOSING SCHEDULE LEDGER Date Amount Given Strength How is pet doing?

Continue recording the dosage schedule and your pets response to each injection on the next page.

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ADVERSE EFFECTS OF CORTICOSTEROIDS AS OPPOSED TO HYPOSENSITIZATION

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