Immunotherapy for Cat Allergies

Your immune system normally keeps you safe from dangerous invaders such as viruses and bacteria by releasing antibodies to neutralize the offending substance. In the case of an allergy, your immune system mistakes an otherwise harmless substance for something more sinister. When antibodies are released, it triggers the production of chemicals such as histamine that cause physical reactions that include nasal congestion and sneezing. Over-the-counter medications can reduce symptoms, but allergies can also be treated with immunotherapy, which involves allergy shots prescribed by your doctor.

Cause

• Cat hair is not the sole culprit of allergies, but the carrier of dried saliva.

  Contrary to popular belief, cat allergies are not caused by the animal's hair but by a protein in its saliva, skin and urine. Cats groom themselves by licking their fur, which can dislodge dead skin cells and loose hair. Dried saliva is also on the hair and cells, causing those sensitive to the protein to experience allergic reactions. These loose particles are called dander and can be found in the air or coating furniture.

Treatment

• Shots can help minimize the severity of allergy symptoms.

  Immunotherapy is prescribed in order to help the body get used to the allergen and reduce symptoms, a little at a time. It consists of shots that contain small amounts of the allergen---in this case, the protein in the cat's saliva---to trigger your immune system without causing a full allergic reaction. As the treatment continues, the amount of allergen in the shot is increased to encourage your body to develop a tolerance for it and reduce allergy symptoms.

Reactions

• Reactions to the shot may include the typical allergic reactions such as sneezing and congestion.

  Reactions to the shot can occur, as it contains some of the thing you're allergic to. Local reactions such as redness and swelling can appear at the injection point, but usually fade in a few hours. Systematic reactions can sometimes occur and include typical allergy symptoms such as nasal congestion or hives. Anaphylaxis is a rare, but life-threatening reaction that requires immediate medical attention as it involves a drop in blood pressure and breathing difficulties.

Schedule

• Immunotherapy is not a quick solution to allergy symptoms.

  Immunotherapy usually involves a long-term schedule of care, starting with the buildup phase and eventually progressing to the maintenance phase. The buildup phase usually spans three to seven months, but can vary depending upon your response and severity of symptoms. In this phase you will get a shot between one and three times a week, with the allergen dosage increased in each application. Once your allergy symptoms are minimized, the maintenance phase begins and your shots are reduced to once a month, and can continue for up to five or more years.

Prognosis

• Success can mean a happy relationship between you and your cat.

  The goal of immunotherapy is to desensitize your body to the allergen, thereby minimizing and reducing your outbreaks and reactions to the substance in the future. According to the Mayo Clinic, the most notable level of improvement usually occurs during the second year of treatment, and by the third year, allergic reactions are sometimes completely gone. But some people may require ongoing treatment in order to keep reactions controlled.