Dog & Cat HospitalCalabasas

Patient Education

Allergy Management & Immunotherapy

Long-term control of itching, skin disease, and allergic reactions — with medication, elimination diet trials, and allergen-specific immunotherapy tailored to your pet.

Allergic skin disease (atopic dermatitis and food allergy) is one of the most frustrating conditions in veterinary practice for both pet and owner — chronic itching, recurrent skin and ear infections, and a revolving door of temporary fixes are common experiences before a structured management plan is put in place. The itch-scratch cycle damages the skin barrier, which invites secondary bacterial and yeast infections, which increase itch, which causes more damage — breaking that cycle requires addressing both the underlying allergy and the infections simultaneously. At Dog & Cat Hospital Calabasas, allergy management combines accurate diagnosis of the allergy type, targeted treatment of secondary infections, and long-term strategies that go beyond simply suppressing itch with steroids.

How It Works

Effective allergy management begins with identifying the allergy type, because the treatment approach differs significantly:

  • Food allergy — the only reliable way to diagnose food allergy is an 8–12 week strict elimination diet trial using a hydrolyzed or novel-protein diet with zero other food inputs; blood and skin tests for food allergy are not reliable in dogs and cats and are not recommended. Once a food allergy is confirmed by resolution and rechallenge, dietary management is curative
  • Environmental allergy (atopy) — caused by inhaled or contact allergens (pollen, dust mites, mold); the diagnosis is clinical, supported by the pattern of signs and ruling out other causes; management options include:
  • — Apoquel (oclacitinib) or Cytopoint (lokivetmab) for dogs: highly targeted itch control with an excellent safety profile; Apoquel is a daily oral tablet, Cytopoint is a monthly injection
  • — Cyclosporine (Atopica): an immune-modulating medication for cats and dogs not responsive to other options
  • — Allergen-specific immunotherapy (ASIT): after intradermal or serum allergy testing identifies specific allergens, a desensitizing series of injections (or sublingual drops) gradually reduces the immune response over 12–18 months — the closest thing to a long-term cure for environmental allergy
  • Secondary infections — bacterial pyoderma and Malassezia (yeast) infections are treated with appropriate topical or systemic antimicrobials; cytology to confirm the organism guides treatment and avoids contributing to antibiotic resistance

Help your pet stop itching for good

Book an Appointment

What to Expect

Allergy management is a long game — there is no quick cure for atopic dermatitis, and owners should expect to invest time in the diagnostic phase before stable control is achieved. During an elimination diet trial, strict compliance from everyone in the household (including no table scraps, flavored treats, or flavored medications) is non-negotiable; a single slip of the leash invalidates weeks of progress. Pets on Apoquel or Cytopoint usually show meaningful improvement within days to weeks; immunotherapy takes 6–18 months to show its full benefit but provides lasting reduction in allergic response even after injections are spaced out. Recurrent ear infections — common in atopic dogs — are a sign that the underlying allergy is not adequately controlled, not a separate problem to manage in isolation. Regular rechecks ensure infections are cleared before discontinuing treatment and allow the management plan to be adjusted seasonally.

Good Candidates

  • Dogs with recurrent itching, skin redness, ear infections, or licking of the paws — especially if seasonal or worsening over time
  • Cats with miliary dermatitis (small scabs scattered over the body), eosinophilic plaques, or overgrooming to the point of bald patches
  • Pets with recurrent bacterial or yeast skin infections that resolve with antibiotics but return quickly after stopping treatment
  • Dogs or cats who have been on repeated steroid courses for allergy control and need a safer long-term alternative
  • Pets whose allergy signs suggest a food component — year-round itch, gastrointestinal signs alongside skin disease, or symptoms starting at an early age
  • Dogs interested in immunotherapy — motivated owners who are looking for the most durable long-term solution rather than indefinite medication

Frequently Asked Questions

1How do I know if my dog has a food allergy or an environmental allergy?
Food allergy tends to cause year-round itch that is not seasonal; it commonly affects the face, paws, ears, and perianal area. Environmental allergy (atopy) often has a seasonal component, though in mild climates like Southern California it can become year-round. A strict elimination diet trial is the only reliable way to distinguish between the two — an 8–12 week trial is required.
2What is the best treatment for dog allergies?
For environmental allergy in dogs, Apoquel (daily oral tablet) and Cytopoint (monthly injection) are the most targeted and commonly used medications, with significantly better safety profiles than long-term steroids. Allergen-specific immunotherapy is the most durable long-term option for appropriate candidates. The best choice depends on the individual dog's profile, severity, and owner preferences.
3Can cats have allergies too?
Yes — cats are commonly affected by food allergies, flea allergy dermatitis (even a single flea bite can trigger intense itching in a sensitized cat), and environmental atopy. Classic presentations include overgrooming (barbering the belly or inner thighs to baldness), miliary dermatitis, and rodent ulcers on the upper lip. Year-round flea prevention is essential alongside any allergy investigation in cats.
4How long does a food elimination diet trial take for dogs?
A valid elimination diet trial requires 8–12 weeks of absolute dietary restriction to a single hydrolyzed or novel-protein diet, with no other food of any kind. Eight weeks catches most food-allergic dogs; 12 weeks is necessary for some. If the skin improves, deliberate rechallenge with the original food confirms the diagnosis — improvement plus rechallenge flare is the gold standard.
5Is Apoquel safe for long-term use in dogs?
Apoquel has a good long-term safety profile in the published literature, with monitoring recommended at annual wellness visits. It is FDA-approved for chronic use. It should not be used in dogs with serious infections or certain cancers, which the veterinarian will discuss during the prescription process.
6What is allergen immunotherapy for dogs?
Allergen-specific immunotherapy (ASIT) involves testing to identify which specific allergens trigger the dog's reaction, then formulating a personalized series of injections (or sublingual drops) that gradually desensitize the immune system to those allergens. It takes 12–18 months to reach full effect but provides lasting reduction in allergic response for roughly 60–70% of atopic dogs.
7Why does my allergic dog keep getting ear infections?
Recurrent ear infections in a dog with allergies are almost always a manifestation of the underlying skin disease — atopic dermatitis causes the ear canal lining to produce excess discharge and become a favorable environment for bacteria and yeast. Treating the infection helps short-term, but controlling the allergy is the only way to prevent recurrence.
8Are steroids bad for my dog's allergies?
Short-term steroid courses are effective and sometimes necessary to break a severe itch-scratch cycle, but long-term daily steroid use carries significant risks — weight gain, increased infection susceptibility, diabetes, and adrenal suppression. For long-term allergy control, targeted medications like Apoquel or Cytopoint are much safer alternatives.

Related

ConditionsSkin Allergies & Atopic Dermatitis

Help your pet stop itching for good

Allergy management takes a plan — not just the next prescription. Our team will work through the underlying cause and find the right long-term approach.

Book an Appointment