Allergen-specific immunotherapy (ASIT) is the only disease-modifying treatment for canine atopic dermatitis, reducing the underlying allergic response rather than just suppressing symptoms.
Allergen immunotherapy addresses the immunological root cause of atopic dermatitis — the inappropriate IgE-mediated response to environmental allergens — rather than simply suppressing itch. For dogs that respond well, ASIT can reduce or eliminate the need for lifelong symptomatic medication and its associated costs and side effect monitoring. The welfare benefit of reducing the underlying allergic hypersensitivity is a more complete resolution of suffering than symptomatic management alone can achieve. Treatment requires commitment over months before full benefit is seen. The welfare case for ASIT is strongest in young dogs early in their disease history, before chronic skin changes from years of inflammation become established.