Atopica

[Elaine83]

Hi everyone,

I have an 8 year old sheltie named Duncan. I adopted him about 3 years ago. Apparently he had food allergies for years and his previous owners finally put him on Prescription Diet ZD and he showed a great improvement. I have kept him on ZD since I got him and his food allergies seem to be in check (no frequent vomiting, diarrhea, ect as his previous owners reported) . Unfortunately, he also suffers from environmental allergies and gets frequent hot spots and ear infections.

I took him to the vet last week for an ear infection and and she suggested that we start him on Atopica and Ketulonazole since he has these frequent infections and hot spots. I have been doing some research and don't like what I see about either -- so many people seem to have negative side effects, and some websites say that you should not even mix both together. So far I have only given him the Ketulonzaole since I know it is an anti-fungal and his ear infection was yeast based. But I have not started the Atopica - all of the websites I have found say bad things and I am nervous about using an immune-suppresent because I don't want to make Duncan susceptible to other problems.

Does anyone have any experience using these drugs? Or any other recommendations for allergy treatment?

On a side note, what are people doing about the lack of Interceptor production. My sheltie had been doing well on Interceptor and now that it is not being produced, my vet is suggesting Revolution. Anyone have any experiences with that?

Thanks

[mellie]

If I was dealing with this I think I would try a raw or home cooked diet first and add some probiotics and enzymes. I have addison's disease and am sensitive to EVERYTHING even on steroids so you can help the gut by removing ingested allergens and limit time spent in grass or outside during pollen season and limit use of chemicals on floors and watch carpeting-it is very irritating to itchy skin. If no relief with this,then try the heavy duty drugs. Inflamed, itchy,irritated skin is so for a reason and if you can figure it out then you won't need meds. My cat was bald on all 4 legs and her belly, and her bms were like pudding and she vomited reguarly so I switched foods and it took a couple of different foods with limited ingredients and now her coat is great. She still tends to overgroom so I will be ready to switch foods when she developes an intolerence to this food.

[dawns2shelties]

My partners Westie was on Atopica for the 11 1/2 years he had her. What are you hearing about it?

[famous seamus]

Originally Posted by Elaine83

Hi everyone,

I have an 8 year old sheltie named Duncan. I adopted him about 3 years ago. Apparently he had food allergies for years and his previous owners finally put him on Prescription Diet ZD and he showed a great improvement. I have kept him on ZD since I got him and his food allergies seem to be in check (no frequent vomiting, diarrhea, ect as his previous owners reported) . Unfortunately, he also suffers from environmental allergies and gets frequent hot spots and ear infections.

I took him to the vet last week for an ear infection and and she suggested that we start him on Atopica and Ketulonazole since he has these frequent infections and hot spots. I have been doing some research and don't like what I see about either -- so many people seem to have negative side effects, and some websites say that you should not even mix both together. So far I have only given him the Ketulonzaole since I know it is an anti-fungal and his ear infection was yeast based. But I have not started the Atopica - all of the websites I have found say bad things and I am nervous about using an immune-suppresent because I don't want to make Duncan susceptible to other problems.

Does anyone have any experience using these drugs? Or any other recommendations for allergy treatment?

On a side note, what are people doing about the lack of Interceptor production. My sheltie had been doing well on Interceptor and now that it is not being produced, my vet is suggesting Revolution. Anyone have any experiences with that?

Thanks

Interceptor is back in production, personally I would not use Revolution. Interceptor is best.

I used to cook homemade when my sheltie was sick. Dr. Dodds has a homemade receipe on her website which you should see. You can supplement with vitamins.

Have you had your pups thyroid levels checked? That is a first step for any sheltie as they are prone to thyroid disease. Please take a minute to go to the Illinois sheltie rescue website. They have excellent information there. Our shelties should run higher on thyroid levels than other dogs. The website will explain it all to you better than I can and they have pictures of shelties with thyroid induced skin ailments so you can compare.

My little girl, had low thyroid with the symptoms you speak about. After I supplemented her with soloxine, her skin and allergies improved 100%, no more issues.

Some vets are not prepared to acknowledge the difference in thyroid results for shelties so you may have to arm yourself with the 411. Illinois sheltie will give all the details.

I now feed my girls Fromm's food. They have never had a recall and are USA based. Their dry dog food is not outsourced to any other country.

Good luck,
Keep us posted,

Kate

[Elaine83]

THank you very much for the info!

When I first got my sheltie he was tested for thyroid -- the test came back negative. But I just took a look at the Illlinois website that you recommended and alot of the symptoms sound applicable, so I will probably have him tested again and speak to my vet about it.

Do you know where Interceptor is back on the market? I live in New York City and all the vets around here are telling me that they don't have any. I found a place in Alabama to order online, so I may try to do that. I definitely dont want to take him off Interceptor as it has worked so well for him.

Thanks!

[belvin20]

My soul Sheltie (Matlock) had an immune deficiency where he had problems with his feet and toe nails, he as on Atopica for 10years of his 16 year life. Atopica took care of his immune deficiency and he never had any side effects, he had blood work done every 6 months he was on the drug and blood work was normal to his last days with me. As far as Atopica is concerned, it saved Matlocks life until old age came and took him away from me. Atopica was expensive, but worth every dollar I spent for Matlock

[famous seamus]

How is Duncan today?

Call your vet, they will be able to tell you when you can purchase Interceptor. I take my dogs off all drugs in winter, give them a break from meds when I can. Last year they stayed on meds longer, because of the mild winter.

Let me know what your vet says about Interceptor being available.

Hugs,
Kate

[Elaine83]

Thank you for the help everyone.

Duncan is doing better - his years have cleaned up and his skin looks better. I still didnt start him on the Atopica -- I want to finish the Fenzo first I think just because I read about potential interactions.

I am still having the interceptor problem - my vet does not have any and just keeps telling me to switch to Revolution (which is making me sort of mad, because I don't want to do that..) I had found a place in Tennassee that has some but I spoke to them on the phone and they only provide to vets that are registered with them, and my vet is not registered. I am going to talk to my vet about having them register, but I am worried that process would take too long.

Does anyone have any recommendations for vets in the Tri State area that have Interceptor on hand? I am in Brooklyn but I am willing to travel to get some.

Thanks