Both drugs atopica and steroids have their concerns neither is without risk as they are tying cyclosporine now to cancer in dogs and steroids affect the entire body but the adrenals leading to cushings are a big concern in long term use of steroids. Any time you take a drug you have a risk of other health issues but both of these drugs suppress the immune system.
why can blood not determine food allergy and only environmental?
I am aware there is no cure for allergies as I have stated many times you only are trying to keep the dog comfortable after almost $10,000 i would have found a cure for it i think as i tried it all and my dog still has issues and will for the rest of her life. All from inbreeding and vaccinations I believe.
Well i guess we will have to agree to disagree about the steroids and food allergy as i saw it in my dog she is on steroids and when she gets a food that she is allergic to the steroids do not stop the itching so seeing it with my own eyes I believe this to be true and it is written in the book allergy solution for dogs by a vet that specializes as well in allergies. I am also on his yahoo group.
in number 1) it will not stop the allergent from affecting the dog.
and yes the allergent can stop due to desensitization or sometimes get worse from desensitization and why i opted not to do those shots as it sometimes can make a dog worse. Also many dogs can eat a food for years and develop an allergent to it as well. Desensitization from local raw honey is another way to desensitize a dog or human to the local pollens in the area.
I think there is a lot of valuable information here for the op and we do not all have to agree as this subject is very complex and those of us that have dealt with it first hand for years will all tell you that it is not an easy fix at all it is trial and error and a life long struggle to minimize the drug aspect of it yet keep the dog comfortable. |