Quote:
Originally Posted by dwerten  in this book written by dvm it states if a dog still itches while on steroids then food is the culprit as I agree the steroids will reduce the inflamation but it will not stop the allergent from food and why blood cannot determine food allergy same reason. This is how they determine many times it is food not environmental as they give the dog steroids and if they stop itching it is environmental if the dog does not stop itching it is food related.
both cyclosporine and steroids are immune suppressant drugs as they are using atopica in ibd dogs off label. The difference in the drugs is steroids affects the adrenals and atopica does not. |
I need to use numbers, bc I can get wordy
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1) The statement in red could really confuse people, medically. In my understanding, there really is NO "cure" for allergies - so using the phrase "stop the allergent" (as it relates to medications etc) might be something to re-consider. The only way to treat allergies is to eliminate the source (if food, for example) or minimize exposure, or treat symptoms (steroids, atopica, anti-histamines), or desensitize (through shots).
The allergy is still there - you can't "stop" it (per se). That said, just like an allergy can suddenly start in a body, in can also suddenly go away - this does not mean you "stopped" it, or cured it - it only means the immune system is no longer allergic to this particular element.
2) As for the statement in blue, I'll mention that the 3 Vet Dermatologists at the practice I use for my dogs would disagree w/ this statement.
3) In purple
...: the differences go far beyond this, in my opinion. While steroids are indeed synthesized in the adrenals, the actual *cells* upon which they have action (ie, "affects"), goes much beyond the adrenal glands. And, like I said earlier, steroids are very power anti-inflam agents,
in addition to being immunosuppressants - which are two very different therapeutic uses
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ellie May It may be fine to simply change food for twelve weeks and see what happens, but in some cases, dogs are so itchy that it would be wrong to not give steroids concurrently. They can provide relief for a lot of dogs. No relief at all or just a little bit could mean food allergies, but major relief does not rule them out. |
This is what the Derms with whom I've worked would state...and this is also what I believe to be true based on my own readings. Of course, that doesn't mean it's correct - just stating my experiences here
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{My apologies to the OP
-who hasn't even been back lately btw- if this thread seems to have turned in to a debate. Please take what you can from the thread, and know that no one here is a Vet Derm - we all are writing w/ the best intentions to help, from our own experiences. I hope you get in touch w/ your own Vet Derm, as they are usually just phenomenal
}