Allergy Testing and Immunotherapy: What You Need To Know
1.0 CE Credit Hour / Veterinarians & Veterinary Technicians
Overview:
Our knowledge of allergic diseases has increased dramatically over the last 2 decades. We have learned the most about atopic dermatitis in dogs, but the principles are being applied to feline and equine diseases as well. Allergic diseases are tremendously complex, with the potential to involve both humoral (IgE) and cell-mediated responses. Allergy testing, whether by serum or skin, assesses IgE sensitization, not clinical relevance. Currently we have no commercial tests for the cell-mediated responses. As clinicians, our job is to interpret the test results in the light of clinical signs, as these tests are not diagnostic for allergy. Healthy dogs can make IgE to allergens which is not clinically relevant; atopic dogs may be low IgE producers, whose responses can be difficult to differentiate from normal dogs. Negative tests do not mean that a dog is not allergic; we just can’t identify clearly the allergens that induce their disease. In this seminar we will talk about when to test, how to interpret results, and how to set realistic expectations for immunotherapy.
Key Learning Objectives:
- Understand the difference between IgE sensitization and clinical allergy
- Evaluate how to use test results to generate immunotherapy treatments.
- Set realistic expectations for clients who choose immunotherapy for their pets
- Defining success correctly
- Synthesize and implement a multimodal approach to management to optimize success
Ashley Bourgeois, DVM, DACVD
Ashley Bourgeois, DVM, DACVD, completed her bachelor’s degree at Iowa State University and graduated from the University of Missouri’s College of Veterinary Medicine in 2010. She then completed a small animal internship at Purdue University. Upon finishing her internship, she accepted a residency position with the Animal Dermatology Clinic’s Tustin, California, location in 2011. She became a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Dermatology in 2014. Bourgeois moved to Portland, Oregon, in 2016 to help expand the company. She is an owner within the company and on the board of directors. She has a strong interest in autoimmune skin diseases, allergies, and otology. In her leisure, Bourgeois enjoys outdoor activities, traveling, and watching sports. She and her husband stay busy with their daughter, their son, and their rescue terrier mix. Bourgeois is passionate about educating veterinarians in dermatology and work-life management through her podcast and social media presence (the Derm Vet).
Valerie A Fadok, DVM, PhD Diplomate, ACVD
Dr. Valerie Fadok received her DVM from Washington State University in 1978, after which she did an internship in small animal medicine and surgery at the West Los Angeles Veterinary Medical Group. A residency in veterinary dermatology followed at the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine, and Dr. Fadok became board-certified in 1982. She earned a PhD in Experimental Pathology at the Unversity of Colorado Health Sciences center in 1991. Dr. Fadok has worked on faculty at University of Tennessee, the University of Florida, Texas A & M University, and National Jewish Health. She has worked in private specialty practices in Denver, Colorado, and Houston, Texas. Dr. Fadok joined Zoetis in 2014 as a field specialist to help veterinarians treat skin diseases with more joy and less frustration. She retired from that position in January 2023, and now consults to Nextmune and Zoetis Diagnostics, as well as participating in the dermatology folder at the Veterinary Information Network (VIN). Dr. Fadok has lectured internationally, nationally, and locally on subjects relating to veterinary skin disease, immunology, and inflammation. Awards include the ACVD Award for Excellence (2010) and the Frank Kral Award (2018)
Moderator: Fred Wininger, VMD, MS, DACVIM (Neurology)
Fred Wininger, VMD, MS, DACVIM (Neurology), originally from New Jersey, graduated from the University of Pennsylvania College of Veterinary Medicine. After completing a small animal rotating internship at the University of Georgia, he finished his neurology/neurosurgery residency at Washington State University. There he developed a love for neuroimaging and the development of a novel neuronavigation device. After joining the faculty at the University of Missouri, he applied these interests to develop therapies for both animals and children with the rare neurodegenerative disorder known as Batten disease (neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis) and was awarded the young investigator award by the Batten Disease Support & Research Association for his work. He then moved to St Louis, Missouri, where he practiced for several years and developed the first hybrid private practice/academic neurology residency program, which continues today.
He currently practices at Charlotte Animal Referral & Emergency in North Carolina. In addition to his clinical and teaching responsibilities, Wininger owns and operates 3D Veterinary Printing, LLC, which creates anatomic models and customized surgical tools to aid veterinary surgeons and neurosurgeons around the world. He also is the founding treasurer of the Veterinary Neurosurgical Society, an active member of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine, and adjunct professor for the University of Missouri. In his spare time, Wininger enjoys scuba diving, endurance sports, and exploring new places through their food.
This program has been approved for 1 hour of continuing education credit in jurisdictions that recognize RACE approval.
This activity is funded by Nextmune.
