 
Quick Links |
|
Join Our List
|
| How itchy is your dog? |  |
Learn where to download a validated scale to measure canine pruritus severity
|
 Blog
| |
|
RESPIT is a Principal Sponsor of the ACVD Research Foundation
|
|
|
|
Greetings!
RESPIT is changing the way we think about allergy immunotherapy.
For years you've been taught that the selection of allergens for immunotherapy starts with performing an allergy test. The study that my colleagues and I recently published in Veterinary Dermatology demonstrates just how far away we are from being able to tell a client with confidence that "your pet is allergic to X, Y, and Z, but not to A, B, or C" based on allergen-specific IgE assays. The four assays evaluated displayed only slight agreement with each other. This hardly seems like a solid foundation on which to select allergens. RESPIT's patent-pending approach of selecting allergens based on geographic region acknowledges the limitations of allergy testing, while recognizing the proven benefits of allergy immunotherapy using standardized allergen mixtures.
--Jon Plant, DVM, Dipl. ACVD |
|
| |
Background - Canine allergen-specific IgE assays in the USA are not subjected to an independent laboratory reliability monitoring programme.
Hypothesis/Objectives - The aim of this study was to evaluate the agreement of diagnostic results and treatment recommendations of four serum IgE assays commercially available in the USA.
Methods - Replicate serum samples from 10 atopic dogs were submitted to each of four laboratories for allergen-specific IgE assays (ACTT, VARL Liquid Gold, ALLERCEPT and Greer Aller-g-complete). The interlaboratory agreement of standard, regional panels and ensuing treatment recommendations were analysed with the kappa statistic (κ) to account for agreement that might occur merely by chance. Six comparisons of pairs of laboratories and overall agreement among laboratories were analysed for ungrouped allergens (as tested) and also with allergens grouped according to reported cross-reactivity and taxonomy.
Results - The overall chance-corrected agreement of the positive/negative test results for ungrouped and grouped allergens was slight (κ = 0.14 and 0.13, respectively). Subset analysis of the laboratory pair with the highest level of diagnostic agreement (κ = 0.36) found slight agreement (κj = 0.13) for ungrouped plants and fungi, but substantial agreement (κ = 0.71) for ungrouped mites. The overall agreement of the treatment recommendations was slight (κ = 0.11). Altogether, 85.1% of ungrouped allergen treatment recommendations were
unique to one laboratory or another.
Conclusions and clinical importance - Our study indicated that the choice of IgE assay may have a major influence on the positive/negative results and ensuing treatment recommendations.
read more of this Open Access article, available without a subscription
|
|
RESPIT Oromucosal Spray price reduction
| 
By securing a new USDA-licensed manufacturer for RESPIT Oromucosal Spray, we have been able to upgrade the product presentation while simultaneously decreasing your cost.
We have reduced the cost to veterinarians by 14% on RESPIT Oromucosal Spray.
We will be replacing the opaque, plastic bottles with durable glass to allow for visualization of the product level. The RESPIT Oromucosal Spray formulations will continue to be preserved in 50% glycerin. The allergen concentration will be clearly disclosed on the label. With this change, RESPIT Oromucosal Spray will ship separately from RESPIT Injectable. It will arrive via FedEx within 5 business days (usually 2-3). The transition has already begun and will continue over the coming few weeks. |
|
Visit us at AAHA Nashville
| | We will be in Nashville, booth 358, ready to answer your questions about RESPIT! |
|
Remembering Peter Ihrke
|  A few weeks ago the veterinary dermatology community lost one of our finest members after a battle with brain cancer. Dr. Peter Ihrke will be remembered as a wonderful friend, educator and colleague to so many people around the world.
Peter brought tremendous energy and passion to veterinary dermatology, whether it was in his role as a clinician, teacher, or in one of the many leadership roles in which he cheerfully served.
Peter received numerous prestigious awards, including the Hill's Excellence in Veterinary Healthcare Award from the World Small Animal Veterinary Association and the ACVD Award for Excellence.
All of us who looked up to Peter will miss his quick smile.
|
|
| SkinVet Clinic serves the dermatological needs of pets throughout Oregon and Washington. In the course of his practice, Dr. Plant developed RESPIT and has made it available to veterinarians across the US.
Jon Plant, DVM, DACVD
RESPIT, LLC 
15800 SW Upper Boones Ferry Rd. #120
Lake Oswego, OR 97035
www.skinvetclinic.com
www.vetrespit.com
503-352-3376
"If we knew what it was we were doing, it would not
be called research, would it?" -- Albert Einstein |
|
|
