UKC Forums - Atopica ?

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Posted by rowdyhound on 06-13-2007 08:54 PM:

Atopica ?

Anybody used this on their dogs? Supposed to help with skin allergies. My vet told me about it today. Just wanted to see if anybody else had used it and if so what they thought about it. Thanks Jessica

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Treeing Walker Coonhounds and German Shepherd Dogs

Posted by rowdyhound on 06-13-2007 08:55 PM:

It's made by Novartis.

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Treeing Walker Coonhounds and German Shepherd Dogs

Posted by ahallada on 06-13-2007 10:37 PM:

I prescribe it occassionally for dogs that have inhalant allergy problems. It is very very expensive but has worked well in many dogs to decrease allergy problems. It costs over 1k per year to maintain a 50# dog on this stuff.
Before prescribing Atopica, I like to rule out other issues like flea allergy dermatitis, food allergies etc.. It is far less expensive to feed a good dermatology diet like Eukanuba F/P or Hills Z/D Ultra combined with antihistamines, oatmeal baths, topical cortisone sprays etc.. One of the most important parts of ruling out inhalant allergies is to make sure there are no flea allergies involved. We've had good luck using Frontline applied weekly with sprays or Advantage every 2 weeks. Dermatologists use Advantage combined with Capstar to rule out flea allergy dermatitis. If the dog is chewing at the tail head area or has any inflammation in the rear areas it is most likely a flea allergy issue and not inhalant.

Allen

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Posted by rowdyhound on 06-14-2007 12:59 AM:

He's allergic to tobacco smoke, bluegrass, bermuda, johnson and bahia grass, aspen trees, ash, sycamore, dust mites, house flies, staph, and borderline on fleas.

I use frontline every month and he is on a diet that doesn't have any of the things he's allergic to. They gave me a list of foods he could eat after I had him tested.

His allergy symptoms he has right now usually start up about this time of year. Would putting him on the shots be better? He hates going to the vet, he's a kinda nervous dog so didn't want to stress him with having to go get shots. Thanks Jessica

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Treeing Walker Coonhounds and German Shepherd Dogs

Posted by ahallada on 06-14-2007 02:40 AM:

Jessica,
What are his symptoms during this time of year? Where is he itching? Any inflammation in the skin anywhere? Is he chewing at his feet? Ear infections? Skin infections?

What have you used in the past for treatment?

Allen

Posted by rowdyhound on 06-14-2007 02:56 AM:

He has gotten bad the past 2 years. His face especially on the sides of his mouth, his feet, legs and belly. I usually wipe him off good with a cool rag and have an anti-itch spary I got from the vet with NO steroids. In the past he's taken prednisone, but I don't like for him to be on steroids. He also takes chlorpheniramine, it helps a little.

He has had lots of ear problems in the past. I keep a real close eye on his ears, if he looks like they are bothering him he goes to the vet. I don't take chances with his ears anymore.

He had his belly pretty red right now. Any spots he gets to chewed on I doctor them with antibotic ointment, that seems to keep em from getting out of control. He gets a bath in an oatmeal shampoo I also got from my vet, its supposed to soothe the skin.

I have lots of allergies and his and mine kick up at the same time. Thanks Jessica

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Treeing Walker Coonhounds and German Shepherd Dogs

Posted by ahallada on 06-14-2007 03:51 AM:

Sounds like he is reacting to an allergen in the environment. If it is seasonal, I wouldn't be afraid to have him on a low dose of prednisone or triamcinolone for a month or two out of the year. The key is to use the smallest dose over the longest interval of time to decrease side effects. I prefer to use triamcinolone because it lasts longer than prednisone and allows for once daily administration to start with for 3-5 days, followed by every other day as needed to control the signs.

There is a newer spray called Genesis from Virbac that has worked well for us that can be applied 2-3 times daily. It is a triamcinolone spray with few systemic effects. Using an antihistamine such as the one you are using along with the steroid will allow you to use a smaller dose of the steroid as well and will decrease side effects of the steroid.

I have really good results putting these dogs on Eukanuba F/P which has a great fatty acid profile that provides some anti-inflammatory effects to the skin.

I usually reserve hyposensitization injections to dogs with year round allergy problems because of the expense.

Atopica has worked well in most dogs but expense has been the one big draw back. It has to be given every day for a month, then recheck bloodwork - CBC to be sure it isn't suppressing the white blood cell count before continuing. About 50% of dogs at this point are in remission and can be lowered to every other day dosing. New studies also show that 50% of these dogs that are asymptomatic after two months can be lowered to every 3 days dosing. About 25% of dogs that are asymptomatic after two years of being on Atopica no longer require medication and are asymptomatic (in remission) for life. I don't think anyone understands why this occurs yet. Most of the dogs we have started on Atopica require every other day dosing for life and I haven't seen a dog go into permanent remission yet.

Hope that helps. Seriously consider that Eukanuba F/P diet.

Allen

Posted by rowdyhound on 06-14-2007 02:10 PM:

Does Eukanuba F/P have to come from the vet or can I get it where Eukanuba is sold? His food allergies are to milk, soybean, lamb, barley, brewers yeast, alfalfa and green pea. Jessica

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Posted by ahallada on 06-14-2007 02:26 PM:

quote:
Originally posted by rowdyhound
Does Eukanuba F/P have to come from the vet or can I get it where Eukanuba is sold? His food allergies are to milk, soybean, lamb, barley, brewers yeast, alfalfa and green pea. Jessica

Eukanuba F/P is a prescription diet available only through veterinarians. Many veterinary dermatologists are not real supportive of using blood testing to determine food allergies so if these results came from a blood test that was run at Greer Labs or Spectrum Labs I would take these with a grain of salt. The best way to rule out food allergies is to restrict the ingredients and do food trials which is a pain in the rear. Many Dermatologists now use Hills Z/D Ultra to see if the skin responds to diet change and then they will have the owner add one ingredient back at a time to figure out what food the dog is allergic to. Z/D Ultra is a true hypoallergenic diet made by Hills with hydrolyzed chicken protein.

Brewers yeast and soybean are very large proteins that causes problems in many dogs and people. Milk is one of the most common on the list from Specrum Labs. I think the last report I saw from them was milk, beef, chicken, brewers yeast, soybean as the top causes of food allergy in dogs and wheat thrown in somewhere. Corn was about 8th or 9th.

There was a survey on the veterinary information network a week ago about what diseases veterinarians found most difficult to deal with. Skin allergies in dogs was at the top of the list. I'd recommend a consult with a board certified veterinary dermatologist in your area. The money is many times well spent in the long run. Most veterinarians are more than willing to refer you to one. If your veterinarian has an issue with a referal then I'd just go directly to the veterinary school in your state.

Good luck,
Allen

Posted by rowdyhound on 06-14-2007 02:41 PM:

It was a blood test done by spectrum labs. I use two different vets. I use one more than the other. Especially after the one that did the test told me they could do everything a dermatologist could do. The vet I use most for him said she could refer me to a dermatologist, I've really been thinking that would be best. This dog is our "baby" and we've spent so much money on him. Almost $300 to do the allergy test, special foods, we went through 4 different vets with his ear problems. One vet wanted to go in a do surgery on his ears, so to another vet we went.

His allergy problems are concurrent with mine. We do real good out in Arizona and California. Different climates, I guess. Would he have to be on Atopica for the rest of his life? Predisone makes him really gain weight, he's normally a 45-50 lb dog and he'll get up to almost 60 lbs, and I know thats not good for him. Would taking him to a dermatologist and then getting his allergy shots be my best bet? Thanks Jessica

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Treeing Walker Coonhounds and German Shepherd Dogs

Posted by ahallada on 06-14-2007 03:05 PM:

I think that just getting an opinion from a dermatologist will be great. I've cleared most ear problems up with just Hills Z/D Ultra and good ear care (Epi-Otic and Mometemax combo). The dermatologist may or may not start hyposensitization injections depending on what they find. You could do a food trial though prior to going to the dermatologist by feeding the Z/D Ultra exclusively for two months. It is important to not give any treats at this time however or other foods. You can get the canned Z/D for treats.

Also check into that Genesis Spray. it comes in large bottles that last a long time. Your dog needs to be off oral prednisone at least 30 days prior to seeing the dermatologist and I think some recommend 60 days.

Let me know how it goes there.

Allen

Posted by rowdyhound on 06-14-2007 03:08 PM:

I'll let you know. Hate to see him scratching all the time. Thanks Jessica

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Treeing Walker Coonhounds and German Shepherd Dogs

Posted by Long Ears on 06-14-2007 05:50 PM:

Road runner pharmacy has a generic compounded for of atopica that is much less expensive for that size dog. You might want to ask your veterinarian about this as an option if Road Runner is available in your area. I have had great success with this product in those severely atopic dogs.

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Posted by rowdyhound on 06-14-2007 05:54 PM:

Thanks my vet told me yesterday that Novartis sent her a chart and some other info on Atopica. They have a special offer going on right now and offered it free to 2 clients, don't know how long it will be free. Guess we'll see how things go. Jessica

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Treeing Walker Coonhounds and German Shepherd Dogs

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