Allergies – To Itch or Not to Itch

What's the point of Cytopoint®?

I recently met a young dog whose life has been plagued by skin “allergies,” often diagnosed as “atopy.” Atopy is a genetic tendency to immune over-reaction to harmless substances in the environment. Symptoms are commonly paw licking, face rubbing, ear inflammation, and/or general itchiness. Being genetic, atopy is considered incurable and it usually treated with monthly “allergy” shots such as Cytopoint®. In my experience, this is approach by ordinary veterinarians is doomed to fail.

An alternative view of allergies is not so grim. The immune system has many jobs and limited resources. If the system is overwhelmed and using its resources and detoxification pathways to deal with a variety of challenges, it may not be able to handle every irritant without resorting to more inflammatory techniques. Inflammation results in redness, itching, rashes, etc.

The best long-term answer is to remove the extraordinary demands, allowing the immune system to calm down, and providing the nutrition necessary. Poorly digested foods, chemicals in the diet, on the skin and in the environment, drugs and vaccines are all immune stressors. Emotional upset and electrical fields have adverse effects on the immune system as well. Ordinary therapy includes highly processed “hypoallergenic” diets, allergy shots, flea control, and symptomatic therapy with drugs, ear drops, shampoos, etc. Not one deals with the underlying problem. Actually, all of these treatments can add to the immune burden while masking symptoms. Over prolonged use, this approach leads to more serious problems, such as chronic digestive problems. If the symptoms are different, the veterinarian will diagnose a different disease instead of a progression of the pre-existing immune stress.

A holistic vet recognizes the immune burden and works to reduce the pressure and strengthen the nutritional program and digestive function. Here's my approach for a pet with mild to moderate “allergy” symptoms. Eliminate all immune stressors possible e.g. chemicals, pesticides, food additives, etc. Feed natural raw foods supplemented with glandular concentrates, digestive enzymes, Omega-3 fatty acids, and friendly bacteria. Use organic foods when possible and purified water. If a particular food triggers symptoms, avoid it for a period of time. I reduce or eliminate drugs, vaccines, etc. from the pet's regimen. After two months, if improvement is not noticeable and continuing, I suggest working with a holistic veterinarian before resorting to the latest allergy drug. Find a veterinarian dedicated to homeopathy for the best results.

I know you’re wondering why a veterinarian would give Cytopoint® every 4-8 weeks, despite the possible side-effects if diet and supplements work? Most medical practitioners are loathe to think or act outside the box of standardized care. They are afraid of losing income, prestige, reputation, friends, etc. Plus, from what I have seen, these injections are 50-200 dollars a pop. That’s a lot of motivation to not rock the boat.

If your pet is already on Cytopoint® or allergy desensitization, the diet and supplement suggestions above should not interfere.

Here are some excellent supplement choices:

Digestive enzymes/probiotics: FloraZyme LP from www.mypetsfriend.com

Multiglandular: Pet G.O from www.mypetsfriend.com or Bark & Whiskers Male or Female glandular on mercolamarket.com. See link below.

Omega 3: Bark and Whiskers Krill Bites from mercolamarket.com (my affiliate link is http://shrsl.com/2qigb-3dea-1jq6p). I prefer to avoid adding pure oil and use an Omega rich food such as krill.

Raw foods: There are many frozen raw diets on the market and I don't endorse a particular brand. Generally, any of the major brands work well. A DIY recipe is available in my Trouble with Kibbles, Part 4 post.

Find a holistic veterinarian at www.ahvma.org.

🌿 Swift Thinking

Because real healthcare heals — not just treats.

⚠️ Disclaimer

The content shared on Dr. Russell Swift’s substack is for educational and informational purposes only. It is based on my 40 years of veterinary practice and research rather than pharmaceutical company propaganda or the come-hither look of an attractive sales representative. It is not a substitute for professional health or medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider or veterinarian before making any changes to your or your pet’s healthcare. I do not diagnose or treat diseases via this platform.

Russell Swift, DVM, HMC