Atopica

[Amy6978]

Does anyone have any experience with Atopica or cyclosporine? Pros/Cons? I am worried that it is an immune suppressant when I have worked so hard to boost his immune system naturally. (BTW- treating allergies/ atopic dermitits) Going to be getting thyroid checked as well. But concidering this medication, but just scared with that whole immune system thing. Any encouraging words/experience?

Amy

 

[suse]

I had a golden who took atopica and had no allergy problems afterwards. He didn't have any immune problems, either. He did die from a tumor in his nose, but I don't think the two were related. How old is your dog? I'd rather use it on an older dog than younger one, just in case of long term side effects that we don't know about yet. It is a relatively new drug. Cody was part of a study 2 years ago.

It is very expensive, also.

 

[Amy6978]

He is 6 1/2. He has lots of allergies and a so called immune disorder since his allergies are so bad. I have tried a lot of holistic methods to help relieve his discomfort and symptoms, but nothing has really worked.

I had him under control when we had him on Orijen adult, then I changed him to Nature's Logic and it went SOUTH from there. I have him back on Orijen now but he just isn't getting better.

 

[cedarvalleynewfoundlands]

He is 6 1/2. He has lots of allergies and a so called immune disorder since his allergies are so bad. I have tried a lot of holistic methods to help relieve his discomfort and symptoms, but nothing has really worked.

I had him under control when we had him on Orijen adult, then I changed him to Nature's Logic and it went SOUTH from there. I have him back on Orijen now but he just isn't getting better.

Hi
A couple questions: When you tried the holistic route, were you working with an actual Holistic Vet? If not, I would look one up in your area and try working with what they recommend. I have had very good luck with our Holistic Vet when things happen that our regular vet cant solve.

Also, how long have you had him back on the Orijen?
It can take a long time to get all of the proteins that cause allergies out of the body.
Sometimes it can be several months before you see a difference.

 

[janices]

I had a golden who took atopica and had no allergy problems afterwards. He didn't have any immune problems, either. He did die from a tumor in his nose, but I don't think the two were related. How old is your dog? I'd rather use it on an older dog than younger one, just in case of long term side effects that we don't know about yet. It is a relatively new drug. Cody was part of a study 2 years ago.

Tumors can be one of the side affects of cyclosporines.

The vet dermatologist I use was one of the one's who did research on the cyclosporines. There's a risk of developing tumors and had to stop the treatment in dogs that developed tumors.

 

[Amy6978]

Hi
A couple questions: When you tried the holistic route, were you working with an actual Holistic Vet? If not, I would look one up in your area and try working with what they recommend. I have had very good luck with our Holistic Vet when things happen that our regular vet cant solve.

Also, how long have you had him back on the Orijen?
It can take a long time to get all of the proteins that cause allergies out of the body.
Sometimes it can be several months before you see a difference.

Yes, I was working with an actual holistic vet. I was not happy with them though. I also worked closely with the owner of a holistic health food store... you may think that they only sold me things in their store, but actually, if they didn't have something, they helped me find it... if I found something, they would help research it with me and if we liked it, they would begin to carry it, or not... Anyway, I digress.

We have been back on Orijen for about 2 or 3 months.. we went on Taste of the Wild first. But just fish there as well.

True Story, We got a letter from the holistic vet saying that their office no longer met the building codes for the town they were located in, so they would no longer be seeing patients. They would do in home visits for emergencies and be refilling prescriptions only! That was it.. not a list of other holistic vets they recommend, not that they were looking for a new office.. nothing!
weird..

Anyway.. in my quest for a good holistic vet, I picked the wrong one! Story of my life!
Amy

 

[cedarvalleynewfoundlands]

I wish I had more info to give, but I've never had any experience with Atopic Dermatitis One thing you may want to try is looking at the American Holistic Veterinary Medicine Association website http://www.ahvma.org.
Vets listed there have to be members of the AHVMA, so you may be able to find another Holistic Vet and have better luck. That letter from the Holisitic Vet you were using sounds very odd to me.
I think vets are just like any other profession: You can get really good ones, or you can get really bad ones. Hopefully you'll find a good Holistic Vet.
Working with the Holistic Health Food Store owner is great, but you would probably get better advice relating to dogs from a Holistic vet.
Good Luck

 

[Amy6978]

Mary,

That vet was on that list that you speak of!!! There were two that I had narrowed it down to. I posted the links to their websites on Newf-L and after opinions and great deliberation with myself decided to go with this one. Of course in my mind I always wondered if I should have gone with the other one throughout the entire process as that is the kind of person I am... can't make a decision for my life! LOL! However, Once I started going to them, I felt like you can't judge a vet by their website and thought I should have gone to the other vet.

The only thing that stopped me from going to the other vet was that he pushed his own raw diet and I didn't want to be pushed into something..

The holistic health food store owner had experience with both vets and thought neither were steller. But was shocked when I told her of the letter. She also told me that most go to the vet I didn't choose, but it was too late, I had already stopped going to the holistic vet. At one point I had 3 vets...

The consultations just cost soooo much money.. Although the one I didn't choose did say they were willing to work with me. Maybe when my financial situation changes a bit I can revisit that.

We were going to have him allergy tested but now we are even reconsidering that. I now have him on NuVet for a try. We will have his thyroid checked this spring.

I just want my boy to feel better. (actually my brothers dog!) We are going to London in May to see my brother so I can also talk it over with him, maybe he can give me some financial assistance...
We have him because my brother is in the military and when he was shipped over to Guam 4 years ago he was unable to bring Zuko with him. Now they have him in the UK. The quaretine process is just so stressful and expensive. So we continue to care for him.

Anyway I totally digress.... It has just been rough, since he came to us from California his allergies got worse and I am just trying to get him back to good health!