The University of Glasgow’s Small Animal Hospital is the first in the UK to use a groundbreaking treatment for dogs suffering from serious allergic reactions to bee and wasp stings.

The treatment, Hymenoptera Venom Immunotherapy (VIT), has now been successfully used on a number of patients; and while the approach is still relatively new, clinicians believe it offers a hopeful approach to preventing recurrent anaphylaxis in dogs.

The Small Animal Hospital is one of just a few specialist centres around the world able to deliver this type of disease-modifying treatment.

Insect venom allergy is one of the most serious acute allergic conditions in dogs. Reactions can develop within minutes of a sting and can, in a very small number of cases, progress from hives and vomiting to collapse, respiratory distress, and in severe cases, death.

In addition, almost two-thirds of dogs who experience one severe reaction to a bee or wasp sting go on to experience the same, or worse symptoms after subsequent stings.

Hymenoptera Venom Immunotherapy treatment, which was first developed for use in humans, works by gradually introducing controlled, increasing doses of bee or wasp venom to the affected dog, training the immune system to tolerate future exposure and significantly reducing the likelihood of a recurrent severe allergic reaction.

At the Small Animal Hospital the treatment is led by Professor Ana Rostaher, a world-leading expert in the veterinary field on VIT, who alongside colleagues has contributed to research which shows encouraging clinical outcomes, including high levels of protection from recurrent severe reactions in treated patients.

Clinical experience and research from the University also suggests that many dogs undergoing VIT achieve strong protection against repeat anaphylaxis, with the treatment demonstrating a favourable safety profile when delivered under specialist supervision.

The process for treatment involves an initial diagnostic phase with allergy testing, followed by a closely monitored induction period and long-term maintenance therapy that may continue for several years.

Professor Ana Rostaher said: “Venom immunotherapy represents a major advance in how we can manage severe insect sting allergies in dogs. For affected animals, a single sting can make them very ill and even die. However, this treatment offers a proactive way to change that risk profile and provides owners with an option for further peace of mind for those animals who are severely allergic to insect stings.”

The severity of some cases was seen in the case of Claire and Matthew Preece’s dog Amber, a Vizsla breed dog who became the first patient in the UK to undergo venom immunotherapy at the University of Glasgow Small Animal Hospital after experiencing a severe allergic reaction to a bee sting in July 2021.

Amber’s owners, from Stratford-upon-Avon, experienced Amber becoming suddenly unwell after an unseen bee entered the home through an open window. The dog’s behaviour changed abruptly—she began barking unusually, followed by the rapid development of hives and vomiting, and her condition quickly deteriorated as she was rushed to the vet.

Her owners described the experience as devastating, with Amber treated as an emergency patient. The experience left Claire and Matthew with ongoing anxiety around bee and wasp exposure, particularly during warmer months and outdoor activity. The couple heard about the groundbreaking new therapy and opted to have Amber treated at the Small Animal Hospital in Glasgow.

Claire Preece said: “Amber became unwell very quickly at home—we didn’t even realise at the time that she had been stung by a bee that had flown in through an open window. Her behaviour changed first, then things escalated rapidly. It became clear within minutes that this was extremely serious.

“We chose immunotherapy to reduce the risk of another reaction and to regain a sense of control. The anxiety never fully went away—we simply wanted to do everything possible to protect Amber.”

Prof Rostaher added: “Amber’s story underlines why this treatment matters as, for some dogs, these reactions are sudden, severe, and deeply distressing for families. Venom immunotherapy offers a way not just to treat the condition, but to prevent the next emergency before it happens.”

The University of Glasgow Small Animal Hospital continues to develop its venom immunotherapy programme, aiming to improve outcomes for dogs at risk of anaphylaxis and expand access to this specialist treatment.

More information

Images of Amber the dog alongside caption details can be found here.

ENDS

For more information contact Elizabeth McMeekin or Ali Howard in the University of Glasgow Communications and Public Affairs Office on Elizabeth.mcmeekin@glasgow.ac.uk or ali.howard@glasgow.ac.uk