allergy treatment diary

Treatment formulated from results obtained via the patented
allergy
treatment
diary
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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/
www.vetallergy.com
Page 2
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.
We’re not just pet advocates, we’re pet parents ourselves!
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
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Page 3
DOSAGE SCHEDULE
Dose
Vial A
GREEN
most dilute
concentration
0.1ml
0.2ml
0.4ml
0.6ml
0.8ml
1.0ml
1.0ml
1.0ml
1.0ml
Vial B
BLUE
intermediate
concentration
Dose
0.1ml
0.2ml
0.4ml
0.6ml
0.8ml
1.0ml
1.0ml
1.0ml
1.0ml
Day
1
3
5
7
9
11
13
15
20
Day
25
30
36
42
48
58
68
78
88
Interval
0
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
5
Interval
5
5
6
6
6
10
10
10
10
Dose
Day
Interval
0.3ml
98
10
0.5ml
112
14
0.5ml
133
21
Vial C
0.6ml
163
30
RED
0.8ml
193
30
1.0ml
223
30
strongest
1.0ml
253
30
concentration
1.0ml
283
30
CALL YOUR Veterinarian TO ORDER MAINTENANCE
Acclimation
phase
Final
concentration
of allergen
used for
maintenance
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
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Page 4
UNDERSTANDING THE DOSAGE SCHEDULE
The 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
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.
•
Maintenance Phase
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.
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.
www.vetallergy.com
Page 5
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 increasing 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 improvement (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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Page 6
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 last
injection, 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 injections 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
www.vetallergy.com
Page 7
HOW TO GIVE INJECTIONS
1. 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.
FIGURE 1
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)
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.
FIGURE 3
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.
OW!
(Ledger begins on page 13 of this booklet)
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Page 8
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:
• Inflammation at injection site
• Increased itchiness and/or redness
Extremely rare reactions may include:
• Hives
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Lethargy (abnormal drowsiness or sluggishness)
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:
• 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
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 a
replacement vial(s).
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Page 9
Paste your personalized
calendar across these
two pages.
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Page 10
To obtain your personalized
calendar, please visit
www.lab.vetallergy.com/calendars/
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Page 11
COMMON ALLERGY SYMPTOMS
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Page 12
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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Page 13
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.
www.vetallergy.com
Page 14
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.
www.vetallergy.com
Page 15
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.
www.vetallergy.com
Page 16
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.
www.vetallergy.com
Page 17
ADVERSE EFFECTS OF CORTICOSTEROIDS
AS OPPOSED TO HYPOSENSITIZATION
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Page 18
At Spectum we make it possible to:
Connect with other pet parents
Share your stories
Upload your photos
Download the latest tools
all at our website...www.vetallergy.com
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Page 19