allergy shots for animals - Allergies Message Board

poodytat · 10-20-2004, 06:57 PM

i recently made an appointment with an allergy doctor in hopes to start taking allergy shots so i can have my cat back. I lived with her for 4 years..had allergic reactions the whole time..and moved out cuz i was 21. a couple months ago i tried taking her back & the symtoms were even worse..

to allergy shots for animals work?

i also want a dog..

im soooo allergic to them.

are allergy shots expensive? what's the average cost?

thanks <3 April

CheerAngel · 10-22-2004, 11:36 AM

I have never had allergy shots before, but I read quite alot about them. Heard that they can be expensive and sometimes they don't work. I'm not sure about the average cost, maybe you could ask a nurse or someone here might have experience. Good luck!!!

reader1 · 10-22-2004, 04:24 PM

Allergy shots are expensive, but are usually covered by most insurance.

I know people who've had animal dander included in their shots before, but I've also known people who've doctors do not include it because it is not supposed to work. I did have a doctor who included dog and cat dander in my shots before - at a university medical center - and it actually did help my animal allergies.

sneezydiva · 10-23-2004, 02:27 PM

My shots are covered by insurance, but I know that my doctor charges $20.00 for 2 shots. And you start off getting shots twice a week then once a week and eventually once a month. Obviously the initial visits and testing will cost a lot more, about $200.00. I just recently got tested for a second time, and am allergic to dogs which was news to me. (But I guess it explains why I got a cold the last 2 times I visited my inlaws) I just started the dog shots, so I don't know how well they work. Some insurances don't cover shots for animals, b/c they have the attitude they are easy to avoid. That's changing though as studies show animal dander is present in places like office buildings and schools. One more thing, should the shots work, they will take at least a year to be fully effective.

LadyBelle · 11-04-2004, 10:30 AM

shots will help, but won't rid you of the allergic reaction. I had dogs for years and little by little I became more sensitive to them. I tried the shots but could never get away from the meds I took to relieve my asthmatic reaction to being around my dogs. my dogs are gone now and I don't take anything and I am fine. What I took while I had them worked. Advair inhaler used daily would normally control my asthma. Albuterol is what I used when asthma set in.... For the dander reaction nothing worked, every where a dog licks me or if I held my lab in my arms, I'd break out everywhere. I miss my dogs terribly, but will probably not get another one because of all my health issues.