Investigation of a Novel Immunomodulating Treatment for Canine Atopic Dermatitis

The University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine is currently recruiting dogs with allergic skin conditions and/or atopic dermatitis.

Enrollment Status: Currently Enrolling 

Inclusion Criteria:

The dog must be client-owned.

The dog must be at least 1 year old and weigh more than 13 pounds.

The dog must have skin allergies.

The dog must be healthy and free of infections when the study begins.

The dog must not have had at the time of enrollment (not screening visit):

• Cytopoint in the last 6 weeks
• Apoquel in the last 2 days
• Steroids or antihistamines in the last 2 weeks

The owner must be able to bring the dog to the clinic once a week for 8 weeks, and then once a month for 4 more months.

Exclusion Criteria:  

Dogs that are not healthy or have an infection at the start.

Dogs that have had:

• Cytopoint in the last 6 weeks
• Apoquel in the last 2 days
• Steroids or antihistamines in the last 2 weeks

Dogs that are currently taking antibiotics by mouth or injection.

Dogs with very severe skin allergies that need antibiotic treatment to manage.

Treatment: Enrolled dogs will receive either a placebo or the treatment. Each dog will receive an initial evaluation and cytology to check for signs of infection. Initial bloodwork will be done to check the dog’s overall baseline health. Dogs will be injected weekly with 2 different antibodies for 7 consecutive weeks. Appointments where the dog receives the shots will take about 2 hours. Evaluation-only appointments will take about 30 minutes. All dogs will be given a skin spray called Genesis Topical Spray. It contains a steroid that helps with itching. Each owner is responsible for spraying the itchy or affected areas as directed. Owners will be required to maintain their pet on a stable flea/tick prevention regimen and maintain their diet and environment.

Cost: The study covers the cost of dermatological exams and the study treatment or placebo. In case any rescue medication is needed, those costs will also be covered. There are no additional costs. An estimate of the costs the owner will be responsible for will be provided at the time of admission.

Contacts: Contact study coordinator Nathalie Munguia at NMUNGUIA@UFL.EDU to schedule an appointment or fill out the Study Interest Form.

Study Investigators: Dr. Rosanna Marsella

Background: Allergic skin conditions can be harmful to both dogs and their owners. These conditions may lead to persistent discomfort, secondary infections, and reduced quality of life if not properly managed. Preventive measures should be taken to minimize flare-ups and recurrence. This study will investigate the efficacy of two antibody treatments to treat dogs with allergic skin conditions. These treatments are called immune Ig and anti-idiotypic Ig. They have been tested in people and in lab studies, and safety studies have also been done in dogs. These treatments are not yet approved for dogs, and this study will help us learn if they are helpful for dogs with skin allergies.