Injections vs Oral Treatments for Allergies in Dogs: Pros & Cons

If you share your home with a dog suffering from skin allergies, choosing between injections and oral treatments can be tricky. Both aim to ease your dog's discomfort through immunotherapy, but they differ in administration, frequency, and how your dog may tolerate them. This guide explores these options to help you make an informed choice.

Treatment Options for Canine Allergies

Dogs commonly affected include breeds like Bichon Frise puppies, Siberian Husky puppies, and Golden Retriever puppies. Allergies often cause chronic skin irritation. Treatment primarily involves allergy shots (injections) or oral therapy given twice daily. Both require lifelong commitment but have unique pros and cons.

Injection Immunotherapy: How It Works

Allergy shots are administered subcutaneously every one to two weeks, starting more frequently during an induction phase. The injections contain allergens tailored to what triggers your dog's symptoms. Many dogs tolerate the small needles well, and effective dose adjustments are made by the vet. Although injections don't cure allergies, they significantly control symptoms. Some dogs respond well enough to allow lengthened intervals between shots.

Advantages of Injection Treatment

• Well established, with decades of veterinary use and research.
• Precise dosing administered by a vet ensures safety and efficacy.
• Fewer doses compared to daily oral treatments, easing owner burden.

Challenges and Considerations

• Vet visits are required for injections, which some dogs find stressful.
• A small risk of adverse reactions like anaphylaxis exists, requiring monitoring.
• Lifelong maintenance is necessary to prevent flare-ups.

Oral Immunotherapy: The Needle-free Alternative

Oral allergy treatments involve drops or sprays placed under your dog's tongue daily. This method, also known as sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT), is painless and can be easier to administer at home, especially for dogs afraid of needles. The dosage usually starts low and is increased over time under vet guidance. Compliance with twice-daily dosing is critical for success.

Benefits of Oral Treatment

• Non-invasive and less stressful for both dogs and owners.
• Effective even in dogs who don't respond well to injections.
• Lower risk of severe allergic reactions; mild oral irritation is possible.

Potential Drawbacks

• Requires strict twice-daily dosing without missed doses to be effective.
• Lifelong treatment commitment is also needed.
• Long-term effects and duration before remission are less well studied than injections.

Comparing Response Rates and Onset

About 50% of dogs treated with either method see significant improvement. A quarter experience mild improvement, and another quarter show little to no response, suggesting a personalised approach is vital. Injection response times usually range from 3 to 6 months, whereas oral treatments may demonstrate effects in 1 to 3 months.

Making the Best Choice for Your Dog

Your vet will conduct allergy testing to identify triggers, but it may take months to pinpoint these. Prompt symptom relief is essential for wellbeing. If your dog tolerates injections and frequent vet visits, immunotherapy shots may suit. If your dog is anxious about needles or you prefer a home-administered option, oral therapy offers a practical alternative.

In some cases, dogs unresponsive to one treatment may respond to the other, so treatment plans might need adjustments over time based on your dog's reaction and health status.

Conclusion

Both injections and oral treatments provide effective immunotherapy options for controlling canine skin allergies. Choosing between them depends on your dog's health, behaviour, your lifestyle, and your vet's advice. Lifelong commitment and careful monitoring are key to managing this chronic condition compassionately and responsibly.