RESPIT Immunotherapy Targets Seasonal Allergies in Pets Without Requiring Allergy Testing

LOS ANGELES, June 8 /PRNewswire/ -- Allergy season is bad for all allergy sufferers, but for pets, whose fur actually attracts pollen and dust, seasonal allergies can cause itching and be particularly miserable. Immunotherapy is the only treatment that targets the airborne allergens, like pollen and dust mites, that most often cause allergies in pets. Now board-certified veterinary dermatologist Jon Plant, DVM, DACVD, has introduced RESPIT™ (http://www.vetrespit.com), immunotherapy specific to a pet's geographic location that does not require allergy testing.

"Consulting with veterinarians across the country, I realized the limitations of allergy testing were preventing many pets from receiving immunotherapy, or allergy shots. Yet studies suggest that knowing precisely what a pet is allergic to is not necessary," Dr. Plant, founder of SkinVet® Clinic, LLC, explained. "RESPIT allows veterinarians to prescribe immunotherapy to counter the most important allergenic substances found in a region, rather than relying on test results that are often questionable. Veterinarians and pet owners have embraced this practical approach, which is based on a study conducted 20 years ago."

As the first regionally specific immunotherapy for cats and dogs that can be prescribed without allergy testing, RESPIT has captured the attention of veterinarians across the country -- including Dr. Marty Becker, who featured RESPIT in a Good Morning America segment about seasonal allergies in pets on June 3, 2010 (http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Pets/deal-allergies-pet/story?id=10811285).

RESPIT requires a prescription and thus is available only from veterinarians, but people can administer RESPIT to their cats or dogs themselves in a series of weekly shots. Improvement in pets' itchiness is usually evident within three to six months, and 75% of pets eventually respond well to immunotherapy.

"RESPIT was developed for use in my own veterinary practice," stated Dr. Plant. "I am pleased to be able to make this advanced, cost-effective immunotherapy available to other veterinarians nationwide."

About Dr. Jon Plant and SkinVet® Clinic, LLC

Board-certified veterinary dermatologist Dr. Jon Plant founded SkinVet® Clinic in 2009 with the mission of providing expert, innovative, evidence-based and cost-effective dermatological care.

After receiving his B.A. from Reed College and his D.V.M. from Oregon State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Plant completed a residency in veterinary dermatology and founded the Animal Dermatology Specialty Clinic in Southern California. There, he managed the skin problems of household pets, service dogs, animal actors, and pets of Hollywood celebrities for 15 years. Dr. Plant then joined the faculty at Oregon State University, where he lectured and performed research in veterinary dermatology. He currently serves as the Examination Committee Chairman of the American College of Veterinary Dermatology. Learn more at http://www.vetrespit.com.

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SOURCE SkinVet Clinic, LLC