The success of the treatment of 117 dogs with atopic dermatitis with allergen-specific immunotherapy for up to 48 months was assessed. An excellent response (remission with exclusive immunotherapy) was recorded in 18 of the dogs, a good response (more than 50 per cent reduction in medication and improvement of clinical signs) was recorded in 57, a moderate response was recorded in 24 and a poor response in 18. The mould antigens in the allergen extract were stored in a separate vial before administration and the success rate of the immunotherapy including mould antigens was much higher than in an earlier study in which mould and pollen antigens had been stored in one vial. The success rate was not affected significantly by the age of the dogs when the disease developed, or by their age or the period for which they had shown clinical signs when the treatment began; it was also unaffected by whether pollens, moulds or dust mites were used as antigens, or by whether the offending allergens had been identified by intradermal testing or by serum testing for allergen-specific immunoglobulin E.

The success rates and adverse effects of a selamectin spot-on preparation, given orally weekly or every other week, against canine generalised demodicosis were evaluated in 44 dogs, 39 with juvenile-onset demodicosis and five with adult-onset demodicosis. The dogs received selamectin at a dose of 24 to 48 mg/kg once a week, or the same dose every two weeks. Thirty-eight dogs completed the study, four dogs were lost to follow-up and two dogs died. Nine dogs went into remission: all had the juvenile-onset form of the disease. There was no difference between the two treatment groups, but dogs with clinical scores of 65 or less responded significantly better than those with a score of over 65 (P=0.0015). The most frequent adverse effects were vomiting and diarrhoea. Two dogs exhibited mild reversible neurological side effects, which resolved with cessation of treatment. Difficulties in oral administration were observed in several dogs.