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-   -   Allergies - Atopica, Prednisone, etc (https://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/yorkie-health-diet/213902-allergies-atopica-prednisone-etc.html)

Vinniedoggy 10-04-2010 07:16 AM

Allergies - Atopica, Prednisone, etc
 
I adopted Alex, a 4 year-old yorkie, a couple of months ago. He is the sweetest little guy in the world, and unfortunately suffers from severe skin allergies (I've posted about him several times before). To make a long story short, he had skin testing done, which confirmed allergies to various molds, grass, and trees. He started on allergy shots the first week of August, but the allergist tells us that it will take 6-12 months before we will know if the shots are working.

In the interim, I've been trying to keep Alex as comfortable as possible. He is on a completely raw diet (raw meat, bone, pumpkin, egg, plain yogurt, etc) and takes a whole body support supplement prescribed by the vet. He takes one Zyrtec each evening and I give him Benadryl as needed if he's having a really bad day. We do aggressive skin maintenance, with oatmeal baths and washing him down whenever we come in from being outside (to remove any allergens). In the house, he wears cotton baby onsies to prevent him from tearing up his skin too bad. Finally, we have prednisone on hand for really bad periods of time - I've only used it once (5 mg for three days, as prescribed by the allergist) and it really helped. But, of course, once it was stopped, the itching came back.

Alex has good days and bad days. The last few days have been particularly bad and I cannot figure out why. I'm assuming that it has to do with all the rain we've had here in the DC area, and mold being one of his triggers. He has been scratching to the point where he is making his skin raw. It is horrible to watch, and more horrible when he actually cries out in pain from his scratching. But he can't stop. We barely slept last night as a result and I'm exhausted. But more than that, I just hate seeing him suffer.

Sooooo....I have been avoiding prolonged use of prednisone and use of Atopica, as I'm really concerned about the side effects of both. But I cannot let this little guy suffer this way. I am really curious to hear from anyone who has used Atopica long-term and what side-effects have been experienced. Also, anyone else out there who has dealt with such severe allergies? Any advice?

stingraylady 10-04-2010 07:29 AM

I know how frustrated you are. My cat has had skin issues for a few years, and we tried changing everything to find out what the problem was, to no avail. We tried Atopica and she developed tremors in her legs, which is a very 'rare' side effect according to the product insert. So we have decided to keep her on prednisone, knowing the long term effects are not great. However, she self mutilates herself with all the licking, she actually ends up with open sores. It is a very tough decision and I know what you mean, as soon as you stop the prednisone, it returns. I keep having Molly tested for diabetes and weight gain, she's 10 years old and so far so good. Good luck with whatever you treatment you decide on.:)

Vinniedoggy 10-04-2010 08:45 AM

Thanks, yes, this has been an extremely tough decision, but I cannot let this little guy suffer. I just talked with the allergist's office and we are going to try a longer course of prednisone, hopefully reducing it to a frequency that is therapeutically effective but does not result in any significant side effects (like every other third day). Our old dog who passed away this summer was on a maintenance dose of prednisone for 3+ years to treat a condition similar to Chrohn's disease in humans. He did not experience any side effects from taking prednisone and lived to 17+ years of age (very old for a non-neutered, 70 lb dog).

I am hoping, hoping, hoping that we only have to do this until next spring, at which point his allergy shots should kick in.

107barney 10-04-2010 08:47 AM

I've used atopica for Daisy for 5 years now and I have not had any issues with it whatsoever. She is in the best medical condition of her life at 10 years old (notwithstanding her puppy mill breeding and the many medical challenges plaguing her such as IBD, liver disease, food allergies and food intolerances). I have experienced no side effects and I do complete superchemistry blood profiles a couple of times a year with her in addition to her general wellness care so I have proof that her organs are running on all cylinders.

If you have already ruled out a food allergy by an elimination diet regarding the protein sources, then I'd say give Atopica a try. I think if this were my dog, I'd try changing the protein source first. You are feeding three proteins at once so any of them could be the cause of a food allergy. Then you have to deal with food intolerances with the other things in the diet.

I will also note that my dogs were raised on natural home cooked food from age 8 weeks old. I have had issues with food intolerances, food allergies to multiple protein sources and forget dog food with my Daisy. I battled these symptoms and worse for many years and it is no fun. Antihistamines were a waste of my time and money.

She thrives on a natural vegetarian diet and Atopica. I am a minimalist when it comes to medications but this one has saved the day. I would likely forego any steroids so as to not suppress the immune system of my aging dogs, and these have not been recommended by our board certified veterinary dermatologist in our case.

Vinniedoggy 10-04-2010 09:07 AM

107Barney, thanks so much for your response. It is very reassuring. Alex has undergone food elmination diets and they failed to reveal any specific food allergy. He has undergone skin testing and was confirmed to be allergic to several environmental allergens (several different kinds of molds, trees, weeds, and grasses). So, it is quite definitive that his allergies are environmental and not food related.

But your experience with Atopica is reassuring - the allergists office definitely was in favor of giving Atopica a try while we wait for the allergy shots to kick in. Alex does show some benefit from the Zyrtec, but it's minimal. Nonetheless, the allergist's office is fairly confident that we will see some benefit from the allergy shots. It's a time-consuming regimen (at least it was in the beginning when I was giving the poor little guy shots every other day), but now that we're on our maintenance dose (one shot each week), I can see a light at the end of the tunnel.

I go to the allergist's office tomorrow to pick up some more prednisone and they are going to give me some information about Atopica.

Based on your experience, how long did it take to see benefits from Atopica?

Thank you!!!

107barney 10-04-2010 09:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vinniedoggy (Post 3289641)
107Barney, thanks so much for your response. It is very reassuring. Alex has undergone food elmination diets and they failed to reveal any specific food allergy. He has undergone skin testing and was confirmed to be allergic to several environmental allergens (several different kinds of molds, trees, weeds, and grasses). So, it is quite definitive that his allergies are environmental and not food related.

But your experience with Atopica is reassuring - the allergists office definitely was in favor of giving Atopica a try while we wait for the allergy shots to kick in. Alex does show some benefit from the Zyrtec, but it's minimal. Nonetheless, the allergist's office is fairly confident that we will see some benefit from the allergy shots. It's a time-consuming regimen (at least it was in the beginning when I was giving the poor little guy shots every other day), but now that we're on our maintenance dose (one shot each week), I can see a light at the end of the tunnel.

I go to the allergist's office tomorrow to pick up some more prednisone and they are going to give me some information about Atopica.

Based on your experience, how long did it take to see benefits from Atopica?

Thank you!!!


Hi Andrea,
It's been a while but I want to say it was days and not weeks or months that we saw improvement. She stopped biting and scratching almost right away but it took a bit before her hair stopped falling out of her nose and around her eyes. I use the Neoral solution for her (0.11 ml/day is her dose and she is 7.5-8 lbs on average). We order from Vetcentric and they autofill the Rx for us and they have been pretty good. I think the cost is about $63 plus shipping for a 50-day supply.

Yes I really do think the atopica has been great for Daisy and I was at the end of my rope 5 years ago - it was a battle that was so frustrating. I wish you good luck

Patti 10-04-2010 10:49 AM

Cali has been on Atopica for close to 3 years with no side effects. She to was badly bred and has stomach issues, liver disease and he bad allergies. We did all the testing and nothing came back as allergic, but she was scratching her hair out and her nose raw. Atopica has been great for her. I am now starting to give it to her every other day instead of daily. I am hoping she can maintain at that level. I would like to use less medicine on her and it will cut the cost in half. Cali did have a reaction when first starting it so her vet put her on a low dose of steroids for the first 2 weeks. She was fine once we added the steroids and has had no problems since. I hope you can get some relief for your baby.

Tessaroland 10-04-2010 11:38 AM

Tessa started biting her paws like crazy, so I took her to the Vet and he put her on the antihistimines but they did not work. So he wanted to put her on Atopica and I was a little hesitant because of side effects....but it was driving her crazy. She's been on it for a week and I only have caught her a couple of times biting her paws, haven't seen any side effects so far. I'm hoping the longer she is on it, she will stop completely. It's great to hear from others they use it also...

Patti 10-04-2010 02:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tessaroland (Post 3289775)
Tessa started biting her paws like crazy, so I took her to the Vet and he put her on the antihistimines but they did not work. So he wanted to put her on Atopica and I was a little hesitant because of side effects....but it was driving her crazy. She's been on it for a week and I only have caught her a couple of times biting her paws, haven't seen any side effects so far. I'm hoping the longer she is on it, she will stop completely. It's great to hear from others they use it also...

Cali has the occasional scratch but she is 100% better. She was so miserable before the Atopica. I hope Tessa continues to improve with the Atopica.

Wylie's Mom 10-04-2010 02:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vinniedoggy (Post 3289519)
Sooooo....I have been avoiding prolonged use of prednisone and use of Atopica, as I'm really concerned about the side effects of both. But I cannot let this little guy suffer this way. I am really curious to hear from anyone who has used Atopica long-term and what side-effects have been experienced. Also, anyone else out there who has dealt with such severe allergies? Any advice?

Andrea, I understand what you're going through bc Marcel has allergies and sees a Derm. Don't be afraid to try medications, any moreso than you'd be afraid to use insulin for diabetes, or synthroid for Hypothyroid. You are correct (imo) in thinking "I can't let this little guy suffer" - especially when there are meds designed to give relief for this specific problem. Sure, we'd always prefer to avoid medications - but not when the symptoms are far worse than the risk of the medication. Also, his risk for pyoderma etc is so much higher if he keeps itching.

Anyway :)! Marcel has been on Atopica for about 1.5 yrs, I think? And it was a god-send. Marcel used to wake up at 1am, 3am every night when pollens were bad - to bite his paws. He was so uncomfortable. He is only 3.3 pounds, and he is on the lowest available dose of Atopica - and he does incredible with it. Never a side effect this whole time. He takes it 3x week right now.

Our vet derm prefers Atopica to steroids, whenever possible. Of course, allergy shots are her first preference - and you're already on your way there :). {btw, I start Marcel's shots this weekend!}

Patti 10-04-2010 02:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wylie's Mom (Post 3289959)
Andrea, I understand what you're going through bc Marcel has allergies and sees a Derm. Don't be afraid to try medications, any moreso than you'd be afraid to use insulin for diabetes, or synthroid for Hypothyroid. You are correct (imo) in thinking "I can't let this little guy suffer" - especially when there are meds designed to give relief for this specific problem. Sure, we'd always prefer to avoid medications - but not when the symptoms are far worse than the risk of the medication. Also, his risk for pyoderma etc is so much higher if he keeps itching.

Anyway :)! Marcel has been on Atopica for about 1.5 yrs, I think? And it was a god-send. Marcel used to wake up at 1am, 3am every night when pollens were bad - to bite his paws. He was so uncomfortable. He is only 3.3 pounds, and he is on the lowest available dose of Atopica - and he does incredible with it. Never a side effect this whole time. He takes it 3x week right now.

Our vet derm prefers Atopica to steroids, whenever possible. Of course, allergy shots are her first preference - and you're already on your way there :). {btw, I start Marcel's shots this weekend!}

Will Marcel stay on the Atopica as well as the shots? I agree the Atopica has been a god send for Cali as well. She would be up all night scratching before the Atopica. I felt so terrible for her.

Wylie's Mom 10-04-2010 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Patti (Post 3289970)
Will Marcel stay on the Atopica as well as the shots? I agree the Atopica has been a god send for Cali as well. She would be up all night scratching before the Atopica. I felt so terrible for her.

Yup, he will stay on the Atopica while the shots begin to take effect...which can take many months (then, hopefully, he won't need it). We are so grateful for Atopica, I felt so terrible for Marcel prior to Atopica. But bc he is so young still, and bc the pollens are year-round here, he really is the ideal candidate for shots. During allergy testing, he had a ginormous reaction to Palo Verde - which is pretty much *the* most common tree here...so no wonder the little punkin' is/was irritated.

morgan111 10-04-2010 03:50 PM

our little Gracie has been on atopica for 2 years with no side affects and has little scratching .the only time i really notice any change is when the pollen is high or we have cut the grass.in the winter we cut her dose right back as she doesnt seem to need it

bj1 10-04-2010 04:00 PM

My vet just put my boy on Atopica and it has been a god send to him and to us. He has no symptoms or ill effects from the drug what so ever. I am so happy to not see him suffering no longer. And it worked immediatley. The next day he wasn't even scratching or licking to our surprise. And now he is a happy boy:D

SassyAnn101 10-05-2010 07:40 AM

Trouble has been taking the Atopica for almost a month now along with allergy shots, and he is doing wonderful. He had been having severe issues for almost two years. He would scratch himself until his skin would bleed. His coat was always oily and looked to have flakes all in it, giving a bath only made it worse. I would take him to our vet and he would give a shot each month that would help somewhat for a day or so, but he wasnt interested in looking at the real problem. I requested allergy testing, and he ran the tests but when the results came in he gave my son the book to send to me. We never discussed it after that. I did not realize what a joke he was until I lost Tenci, and decided not to take any of my babies back to him. After two months of not getting the vetalog shot Trouble was in bad shape. His entire body was red and he had stopped eating. I found another vet in town who had experience dealing with allergies and we went there. The improvement was almost overnight. Trouble is allergic to everything! He has food allergies, grass, mold, cotton, and staph. He takes the Atopica each day and a allergy shot every week. He is back to normal, and his coat has improved so much. He doesnt look like the same dog, or act like it either. Good Luck I hope your baby has this good of results too.


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