You know our story, but I'll say it here in case others may benefit. Marcel is only around 3lbs and our vet told us he simply could not be on Atopica. Well, you know that was not the right answer for me.
We went to a Vet Dermatologist (BEST arm and a leg ever spent) and he was put on Atopica, every day for about a month, he is now on it 3 days per week.
His paw licking/biting went from about an 8/10 (he'd wake up at 1am to gnaw at his paws bc they were bothering him) to about a 1-2/10. We noticed relief for him within 8 days - but it can take up to 3 mths to see full therapeutic results.
We've seen no side effects whatsoever.
Caveats from the Derm: if your dog is small (less than 4lbs) and/or if they have nausea, you *can* give the med w/ meal instead of not w/ the meal.
It is an expensive med, but if you can get relief w/ giving the med 3x week, then it only costs about $20 a month.
__________________ ~ A friend told me I was delusional. I nearly fell off my unicorn. ~
°¨¨¨°ºOº°¨¨¨° Ann | Pfeiffer | Marcel Verdel Purcell | Wylie | Artie °¨¨¨°ºOº°¨¨¨° |