AUSTIN, Texas /CitizenWire/ — Bio-Medical Services has received USDA approval and is now offering ACTT(TM) – allergy drop immunotherapy – as an alternative method for administering allergy treatment for pet allergy patients. An in-house pilot study is now underway, and preliminary findings are expected in the Fall of 2012.
"With two options for immunotherapy, we can now better tailor treatment to the temperament of the patient, and lifestyle of the pet owner," says Dr. Susan Keesee, Chief Scientific Officer at Bio-Medical Services. "This will allow more patients to receive the allergy treatment they need."
Bio-Medical Services has been following the use of sublingual immunotherapy (allergy drops) in humans as an alternative method for administering allergy treatment. Allergy drops have been widely used in Europe, and are now gaining favor in the U.S.; the first randomized trial in humans was conducted in 1986 with proven efficacy. In a 2010 study conducted by the University of Wisconsin Veterinary School, sublingual immunotherapy was shown to be effective in reducing symptoms and allergen-specific IgE levels in dogs as well (*Note 1). Allergy drops are now being offered for canine allergy treatment by a select few veterinary teaching hospitals. "Because of its proven efficacy in humans, and early success shown in canines, we feel confident that sublingual immunotherapy is a safe and effective treatment modality," says Keesee.
As the gap between human and veterinary medicine narrows, Bio-Medical Services remains in the forefront of serum allergy testing and treatment, providing the most current and effective medicine for pet allergy patients. Bio-Medical Services has achieved many "firsts" in the care of pet allergies. They were the first to offer ELISA serum testing for canine, feline and equine patients.
In 2004, Bio-Medical services was the first to introduce the practice of separating mold, mite and insect allergens into separate treatment from pollen, fiber and epithelia allergens to the veterinary field – following the convention used in human allergy treatment. Currently, Bio-Medical Services is the only laboratory to offer five treatment protocols based on the patient's age, weight, breed, species, and clinical history. And now with two options for administering immunotherapy, patients receive even more customized and effective care for pet allergies.
About Bio-Medical Services:
Bio-Medical Services is a veterinary reference laboratory specializing in allergy testing and treatment for dogs, cats and horses. Founded in 1989, Bio-Medical Services was the first laboratory to develop a commercial application for in vitro allergy diagnostics in the veterinary industry. Bio-Medical Services is based in Austin, TX. Visit http://www.bmslab.com to learn more.
*(NOTE 1) D.J DeBoer, 2010. Pilot trial of sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) in mite-sensitive atopic dogs. Veterinary Dermatology: Volume 21, Number 3, Page 325.
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