Atopica Cyclosporine capsules: Has anyone used this?

November 13, 2011 at 8:25 pm 13 comments

It’s happening again. Boogie’s itchiness is getting worse in spite of more frequent bathing & skin conditioning and am seeing signs of those crusty white patches that suggest another Staph infection 😦 ( See also this old photo)

Has anyone heard of or used Atopica Cyclosporine with their dogs? A friend’s dog was taking these anti-inflammatory meds for another issue and his itchiness disappeared.

Website: http://www.us.atopica.com/

I am going to talk to our vet about this treatment… I may even consider Allergy Testing… anything but:

1. more antibiotics. These only work when Boogie is on them. The itchiness returns when he finishes the pills.

2. Steroid meds (like prednisone etc). The side effects of increased hunger, thirst and frequent need to pee are horrible.

If you know anything about the Atopica treatment, please share!

*UPDATE: Off to the vet tomorrow…

Entry filed under: Skin issues.

Zak George, Cesar Millan, Vladae the Dog Wizard. More Cephalexin.

13 Comments Add your own

1. Luisa | November 13, 2011 at 8:49 pm

So, so sorry to hear this.

A last suggestion: over the years I’ve heard nothing but good things about this product — http://www.eqyss.com/pet_microtek_spray.asp

Specialty pet supply stores carried it back in the day and probably still do.

Holding very good thoughts for Boogie.
Reply
- 2. lili | November 13, 2011 at 9:06 pm
  
  Hi Luisa, I have that spray. Unfortunately, I think Boogie’s problem is something deeper/internal…
  Reply
3. teresavet | November 14, 2011 at 10:43 am

Take Boogie for allergy tests, like NOW, both for enviromental and food allergies. It’s not cheap, but I’m sure you have paid more already for the treatments in the past, shampoos, etc.
Atopica sure works, but is heavy medication, with side effects, and it’s not cheap, either.
It’s best to know what allergies your dog has, and plan for the future. Vaccines, hipoallergenic diet, enviromental changes…
I’m a vet, I know what I’m telling you. The rest are just patches.
Reply
- 4. lili | November 17, 2011 at 8:17 am
  
  Thanks, Teresa. (Sorry, your comment went to spam… only just found it).
  Reply
5. Grisha Stewart | November 14, 2011 at 4:12 pm

Have you been to a holistic vet yet? They’re awesome for issues like this.
Reply
- 6. lili | November 15, 2011 at 9:42 pm
  
  Grisha – I am concerned about the costs of seeing a holistic vet. I am happy with our current vet… he is a great guy, very affordable, doesn’t overcharge for every little thing. He suggested Allergy testing and I’ve been the one holding back on this, but now I may seriously consider it.
  Reply
7. teresavet | November 15, 2011 at 3:04 pm

Hi, I commented your post two days ago, but it didn’t get through!
Atopica works well but has lots of digestive side effects. I use it as a last resort, when vaccines, diet and topic treatment haven’t worked. It’s not cheap, either.
My protocol is take allergy blood tests, both for enviromental and food allergens, find a diet without those allergens, and vaccinate against enviromentals. If that doesn’t work, cyclic antibiotics and baths. Last resort, atopica.
Reply
8. Barrie Lynn | November 15, 2011 at 7:09 pm

I took in a stray dog a few years ago who did not have Boogie’s level of itch but was obviously itchier than she should be. I adopted her out to a client of mine and their vet immediately put her on the oral Atopica and I saw absolutely no change in the dog’s itchiness 😦

My vote is allergy testing/putting Boogie on a completely alergen free diet temporarily, adding back in potential triggers one at a time. With Jellybean I simply eliminated chicken from her diet and the issue completely resolved itself.
Reply
- 9. lili | November 15, 2011 at 9:39 pm
  
  Hi Barrie, We don’t think it’s a food allergy (though I’m not 100% positive about this)… we think it’s environmental because it kicks in during summer and goes away in winter. Except that now it’s happening more frequently…
  Reply
  - 10. Barrie Lynn | November 15, 2011 at 9:42 pm
    
    Ugh, environmental ones are the worst 😦 Does a Thundershirt help at all?
  - 11. lili | November 15, 2011 at 9:58 pm
    
    You know, interestingly, when Boogie is wearing a t-shirt he seems to scratch less. When I take it off, he goes nuts… At first I thought the shirt was making him itchy; now I wonder if it’s protecting him from allergens in the air (eg, dust etc.)
12. PalomaTheBoston | November 18, 2011 at 5:41 am

Oh Booger. Go wead mai bwog an see all da cwap I gonned froo wif Atopic Dermatitis. Kwazynessez.
Reply
13. Ingrid Yang | December 5, 2011 at 10:54 pm

Tank my almost two year old docker at one point was hairless and itching and scratching till he is raw, the vet determin it was puppy acney with atibiotics it went away but not never completely gone. During warmer month he would develope a scab patches and hair would fall out and once again the scratching and licking.
About a year ago we switch him to raw food+kibble, that combination worked with in a week, ever since his skin have been great, no more excessive scratching and licking.
If you have not tried raw food, it is worth a try.
Reply