Dog Community

atopic dermatitis - Atopica

Posted : 9/23/2009 12:23:01 AM

Hi!

its been a long time since I've been on the board, and now have need of some of your expertise!

My Shih Tzu ,Zoe, age 6 has just been diagnosed with the beginnings of atopic dermatitis. The reason we know that this is what it is, is that Zoe's mom has this {I just found out} and a number of her littermates as well. Some of them have had to be put down due to the severity of this issue.

I just found all this out this week. Zoe had been quite good until this summer, when she started to have alot of eye issues and red ears, now infected. Scratching that she had never done before, etc.

So, once we get her skin under control the vet talked about Atopica. Have any of you used this product? Have you had success?

I'd love to hear your unbiased opinions on this.

Thanks,

Bon

marty_ga

Posted : 9/23/2009 6:18:07 AM

I had no luck using it for Java. It is worth a try, although an expensive one. My understanding is that it works for some dogs, but not for others.

calliecritturs

Posted : 9/23/2009 8:57:55 AM

Atopica is cyclosoporine -- it is used for skin problems, but it is also a serious immune suppressor (cyclosporine is the drug that people with organ transplants take to suppress their immune systems enough so their body doesn't reject the organs).

If this winds up being the best option for your dog *please* take care -- at least discuss with your vet using milk thistle (or at least the pharmaceutical Marin which is a milk thistle derivative) to protect the liver.

The most serious problem with cyclosporine is it is *very* hard on the kidneys, particularly long term.

First hand experience? yes -- my dog Billy took it for over 18 months for IMHA, altho in larger doses. But in honesty? It actually caused Billy's skin to worsen, even in the final weaning off doses. Yes, we have *some* kidney damage despite my huge efforts to protect his body -- but Billy also took higher doses, but only for 18 months all told

I would honestly suggest you look at alternative therapies -- such as TCVM (Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine) or homeopathy (that's not a synonym for 'holistic' -- homeopathy is a separate, very viable alternative science). You're welcome to email me if you need more information.

jessies_mom

Posted : 9/23/2009 9:44:13 AM

I'm sorry Zoe is suffering from allergies. I have no experience with Atopica but my dog, who also has serious environmental allergies, and has suffered from atopic dermatitis, does very well with allergy shots. She was tested to see what she was allergic to and gets a shot every month which has extracts of her worst allergens. About 70% of dogs that receive this type of treatment have excellent to good results so you may want to discuss this option with your vet. Your vet can send a sample of your dog's blood to a lab like Heska or Bio-Med for testing. It's not cheap and will cost about $300 for the blood test and about $170 every six months for the allergy serum but is probably cheaper than Atopica in the long run. Also, giving your dog Benedryl and adding fish oil to her diet should help, but it will takes a few weeks before seeing any improvement. There are shampoos that really help with the itching. One of the best is Nu-Sal T;

http://www.vetamerica.com/nusal-t-shampoo-12-fl-oz.aspx

For Zoe's ears, cleaning them once or twice a week can help. My vet also recommended a product to use daily that has zinc and boric acid. It helps prevent ear infections and is soothing to the ears. It's called Maxi/Guard Zinc Otic;

http://www.vetamerica.com/maxi-guard-zn-4-5-otic-2-oz.aspx

I know how frustrating it can be to find the treatment that works for your dog; good luck.