Allergies (Atopica vs. Temaril-P)

[Ellie May]

The vet may want to switch her because Atopica is potentially safer than steroids long term. So it may be in her best interest. However, I understand your hesitation and I wouldn't want to switch either! And I certainly wouldn't want to take her off of everything for a trial of xanax and risk the cycle starting over. Do you know she has travel anxiety?

[107barney]

Daisy has been on Atopica for a couple of years. I don't find it difficult to administer at all. I draw up the syringe every day and shoot it into the back of her mouth. She hates it but knows a cookie follows the medicine so she is compliant.

I have not had any side effects of the drug. It runs about $58 for a 50 day supply.

This drug has literally saved Daisy's life. We went through incessant scratching, baldness, yeast, biting at paws and legs, scratching chest and face until bleeding...you name it.

Daisy looks great for an almost 10 year old dog....we did not get to the bottom of her allergies and other issues until she was 6.

We also have had a diet formulated by the Angell Memorial vet nutritionist but we see the RI dermatologist who is awesome.

Good luck with your pup!

[dwerten]

Originally Posted by HannaBananasMom

Wow. Thank you ALL for the wonderful replies! I feel better just knowing we're not alone in these struggles. I'm watching my little Hanna sleep as I type, and I'm happy to report that she is currently happy & healthy with a full body of fluffy hair!

4Doggiemama: I definitely have to agree with you about going with your gut feeling because we live with them day to day and see more than the vets do. Right now Hanna is doing very well on a 1/2 tablet of temaril-p every other day (sometimes even every 2 days). In addition to this she is on Nature's Variety rabbit formula and absolutely nothing else/no treats/nothing. And I bathe her 1-2x per week with the Zymox shampoo and will rinse her in-between baths just to wash away to pollen and any other allergens. I really have no reason to transition her back to the Atopica at this point, even though this is what the vet wants us to do. I'm a little stuck as to why I should make a change when she is doing so well with the current plan.

Dwerten: I don't know if we've had a full thyroid panel done. I did ask her most recent vet to test her for hypothryoid a few months ago and she did, and told me her levels were normal. I'll have to go back to her for more specifics on exactly what that means and what test was performed.

Also, I do still wonder if some of her chewing at her back legs/hip area is in any way related to arthritis...just a thought. I'll have to bring it up to the vet when we're finally ready to go back there. It's just so overwhelming sometimes the amount of meds and products they try to push on you at the vet.

The other issue that will come up soon, is that I need to take her off of the Temaril in order to do a trial of Xanax (as recommended by her vet of course) for her travel anxiety, as we are moving and she will need to travel on a plane (about a 4 hr direct flight)!! Does anyone have any experience with bringing your pups in the cabin on a plane?

Thanks again! And sorry it takes me so long to get back...things are very hectic right now.

I would not use xanax i would recommend cerenia for motion sickness and discuss that over xanax if you can as i think that drug may be better. There are two different strengths and the one for car sickness is stronger than the anti-vomitting med

I doubt that she would be chewing due to arthritis

[dwerten]

Originally Posted by 107barney

Daisy has been on Atopica for a couple of years. I don't find it difficult to administer at all. I draw up the syringe every day and shoot it into the back of her mouth. She hates it but knows a cookie follows the medicine so she is compliant.

I have not had any side effects of the drug. It runs about $58 for a 50 day supply.

This drug has literally saved Daisy's life. We went through incessant scratching, baldness, yeast, biting at paws and legs, scratching chest and face until bleeding...you name it.

Daisy looks great for an almost 10 year old dog....we did not get to the bottom of her allergies and other issues until she was 6.

We also have had a diet formulated by the Angell Memorial vet nutritionist but we see the RI dermatologist who is awesome.

Good luck with your pup!

syringe it into mouth??? atopica??? we gave capsules not liquid never heard of liquid before.

all drugs have potential side effects and why derms feel hyposensitization shots are the most natural. Steroids has its many issues but atopica while felt to be safer than steroids is being linked to cancer in dogs so you have to go with what works but be aware and also get blood work 2xs a year and at minimum once a year when using drugs as they all affect the liver and kidneys. I had to come to a conclusion that a short happy life is better than a long miserable one