Up until now, the main forms of allergy care in Amherst for anyone suffering from a cat allergy were medication and immunotherapy. However, thanks to a new vaccine developed in Switzerland, physicians may be able to offer animal-lovers some much-needed relief.
What Allergy Care is Currently Available in Amherst?
If you suffer from cat allergies, you can, of course, simply give your furry companion up for adoption. However, there are some other, more sensitive, forms of allergy care available for you here in Amherst, New York.
Besides over-the-counter and prescription medication, there is immunotherapy. Immunotherapy, also known as allergy shots, is a form of desensitization. These treatments can be administered either as ingestible tablets or as injections, both of which contain a miniscule amount of the allergen. With a series of carefully timed treatments, your physician will expose your immune system to the allergen therefore allowing it to adjust to what is actually a harmless substance.
How Does the New Vaccine Work?
HypoPet AG, a company based in Switzerland, recently developed a vaccine they’re calling HypoCat. Rather than treat your immune system though, this vaccine is for your feline friend.
The major allergen found in cats is known as Fel d 1, which is actually found in their dander. The vaccine causes the cat’s immune system to produce antibodies that bind and neutralize the protein, so you can spend more time cuddling and less time sneezing.
While the current forms of allergy care in Amherst are effective, they aren’t necessarily convenient. Immunotherapy requires quite a few treatment sessions, and medications often come with potential side-effects. While the vaccine can’t protect you from other cats, it can save you a lot of trouble at home.
Will This Vaccine Hurt My Kitty?
According to data collected during four different studies on a total of 54 cats, the vaccine was “well tolerated without any overt toxicity.” It does not appear to have any long-term effects on cats most likely because the protein doesn’t play a crucial role in either the cat’s digestive or immune health. In fact, many cats are very low in the protein anyway.
Final Thoughts on Future for Cat Allergy Care in Amherst:
Because of their wild success, the team of researchers is pressing forward with their endeavors. CEO Gary Jennings would like to see the vaccine made public in the U.S. and Europe by 2022, so if you suffer from a cat allergy here in Amherst, hold on tight to your tissues because relief may be just around the corner.
