Cytopoint injection for dogs is an effective treatment for atopy or atopic dermatitis. However, there are some side effects and precautions you should bear in mind before using this product.
For Cytopoint, it has been reported that lethargy can occur within the first 24-48 hours after injection. in rarer circumstances, there have been reactions to the excipient (inactive ingredient) used.
What is the Cytopoint Injection for Dogs?
Have you ever seen a dog with allergies? They can seem like they’re itching all over and like nothing can make it stop. In these cases, a cytopoint injection for dogs may be precisely what is needed!
A cytopoint injection is a reasonably new treatment for dogs with skin allergies that occurs due to allergies towards environmental allergens. Still, despite being the new kid on the block, it is showing promising results! But, how does the cytopoint work, and is it useful for you?
Cytopoint injections aren’t like the anti-itching medication, drugs, and injections you already know. Instead, they work in a completely new, different, and perhaps better way! Put in as few words as possible; the cytopoint injection works like your dog’s own immune system to combat the itching.
“Regular” pharmaceutical drugs (often glucocorticoids) are made to alleviate itching and other allergy symptoms by inhibiting the inflammatory response that occurs when a dog is allergic to something – thereby removing the itching. These drugs can be exceptionally effective, but they unfortunately also, in most cases, come with a host of unwanted side effects.
To explain cytopoint, it is worth discussing why a dog itches at all. First, allergens (tiny particles of anything a dog may be allergic towards) penetrate the skin barrier. These allergens are what then cause an allergic reaction. The body and immune system think the allergen is “dangerous.” As a defense mechanism, the body releases proteins.
These proteins attach to nerves located within the skin. These nerves then signal to the brain that something is itching – triggering the urge to scratch. It is in part of this chain of events that cytopoint injections come into play. Cytopoint injections are a protein and a biological therapy – not a drug, in the true sense of the word.
Cytopoint contains the active product, an engineered antibody, called lokivetmab. Simply put, the antibody attaches itself to the nerves instead of the protein released by the body. This inhibits the “itching signal” otherwise sent to the brain.
This inhibition means that the dog will no longer feel the itch, and by extension, won’t want to scratch itself further – often a huge relief for both dog and owner. The lack of itching and scratching also means that the skin will finally have time to heal, further helping by removing some of the causes of the itching to begin with.
How much does a Cytopoint injection cost?
On average for a 10 pound dog, it is approximately $50-60/injection, while for an 80 pound dog, it would be closer to $100-150/injection.
How will I know when it’s time for the Cytopoint injection?
If your dog starts showing signs of itching like scratching, scratching, or rubbing its ears on other surfaces, it is time for another injection as soon as possible – before excessive skin damage occurs.
FAQ
Is lethargy a side effect of Cytopoint?
How long does lethargy last after Cytopoint?
Does Cytopoint cause loss of appetite?
Does Cytopoint make dogs thirsty?