New biological therapy naturally helps against atopic dermatitis
Berlin. Itching is known to be one of the most common reasons why a dog needs to go to the vet. In addition to food and environmental allergies or parasites, there is atopic dermatitis (also known as neurodermatitis) at the top of the list of possible causes. The disease is actually triggered by completely harmless substances that the dog inevitably encounters every day, such as pollen, dust or mites. However, the immune system reacts to this with an exaggerated defense reaction. The main cause may be a genetic predisposition.
The vicious circle begins with the symptom of itching
The skin reacts to the substances with red, eczema-like and, above all, very itchy spots on the skin and the dog begins to scratch itself incessantly. The skin can become inflamed and the fur in the affected areas can disappear if it is scratched out. The itching not only torments the dog, it also changes his nature in a certain way, which manifests itself in irritability and restlessness. In addition, the urge to play is often lost along with the quality of life. The dog owners also suffer: Nocturnal scratching noises, licking and nibbling prevent everyone involved from calming down.
New therapy works naturally and is well tolerated
There is now a new biological therapy in the form of a monthly injection to combat the itching caused by atopic dermatitis. The drug is well tolerated and can be combined with a variety of commonly used medications. These are the first so-called “monoclonal antibodies” in veterinary medicine in Europe: They are tailored to the dog's body, are specifically directed against the central messenger substance interleukin 31 (IL-31), which triggers itching, and neutralize it , without affecting other functions of the immune system. In addition, the monoclonal antibodies are metabolized by the body in such a way that they do not put a strain on the liver or kidneys, as is the case with other medications. The itching improves within a day and the effect lasts for a month, so that the sore areas of skin caused by the itching can heal.
More information at: www.initiative-gegen-jucken.de.