Rush immunotherapy in a dog with severe ragweed and grass pollen allergy.

BACKGROUND: Forty years of study of naturally occurring IgE-mediated allergy in animals is briefly reviewed. These studies provided models for study of bioactive mediators and innovative pharmacologic therapies for IgE-mediated asthma. Objective: Based on our experience with canine allergy we evaluated and treated a dog with severe grass and ragweed allergy whose allergic dermatitis was uncontrolled by H1 blockers and topical corticosteroids. The dog was miserable during the Chicago grass and ragweed pollen seasons. METHODS: Rush immunotherapy was initiated during the ragweed season of 1997. RESULTS: Dramatic improvement was seen which persisted through the grass and ragweed seasons of 1998 after maintenance immunotherapy. CONCLUSION: The case is presented not as a model for canine immunotherapy but as an example of how animal research can be of value to both animals and humans.