Comprehensive Guide to Atopica for Dogs
What Is Atopica for Dogs?
Atopica for dogs is an FDA-approved medicine used to treat allergic dermatitis and skin allergies. Atopica's active ingredient Cyclosporine is an immunosuppressive medication that can prevent organ rejection in organ transplants, treat rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis. It is being proven to be an effective treatment for IBD.
What Is Atopica Used for in Dogs?
Your dog can suffer from red, scaly, and inflamed skin because of his allergies. This medicine targets the root cause of the itchiness, ensuring your pet doesn't feel the need to itch or scratch in the first place.
Atopica is used to treat other types of inflammatory conditions in dogs like Immune-Mediated Hemolytic Anemia & Immune-Mediated Thrombocytopenia. This medicine is also used in both cats and dogs as an immunosuppressant during renal transplants and anal furunculosis treatment.
How Does Atopica Work?
Atopica works by inhibiting the function of the T-Lymphocyte function. This medicine reduces the working of an enzyme called calcineurin by binding intracellular cyclophilins, which in turn inhibits the production of cytokines.
Cytokines are produced by the body when the body is fighting inflammation and infection. Overproduction of cytokines can result in a cytokine storm, which is a severe condition and can be fatal without proper intervention.
What Is the Atopica Dosage for Dogs?
The dosage guidelines to orally administer Atopica for dogs is different for different conditions. If the dog is overweight or underweight, the specific condition under treatment, how healthy the dog is, the severity of the medical condition are all factors in deciding the dosage.
For atopic dermatitis, the dosage is generally 5mg per kilo of bodyweight. Treatment of IBD follows the same guidelines. Thus, Atopica for dogs 100 mg will be prescribed for a 20-pound patient.
The dosage range to treat anal furunculosis is 4-8mg per kilo of bodyweight. Finally, Immune-Mediated Hemolytic Anemia & Immune-Mediated Thrombocytopenia needs doses of 7.5 - 10 mg per kilo of bodyweight.
Are There Any Precautions I Have to Take When Giving Atopica to Dogs?
The following dogs should not take Atopica medication:
- Those that weigh less than 4 pounds or are less than six months old
- Those that are pregnant or recently given birth and are currently lactating
- Those who are allergic to Cyclosporine
- Those who have kidney disease or have an active infection
Atopica for dogs has no known drug interactions. If you are giving your medicine any OTC medications or supplements, please tell your vet about it before starting any prescribed treatment.
What Are the Side Effects of This Medicine?
Atopica for dogs side effects includes:
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Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Loss of appetite
- Lack of energy
- Skin growths
- Overgrowths in the gums
These side effects are common and usually mild. If you see them worsen or increase in severity, you should contact your vet immediately. You should also contact your vet as soon as you have signs of infection like a high fever.
How Do I Administer Atopica to My Dog?
Atopica can be administered in oral capsules. You can hide the capsule in the dog's regular food or hide it in special treats like boiled chicken or liver. Edible treats like pill pockets are designed to hide different medicines for dogs. Generally, oral medication is given after food, but you should follow your vet's guidelines.
Frequently Asked Questions
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How Long Does Atopica Take to Work?
You can expect to start seeing results in two weeks. For the full effects of this medication to show, it can take as long as four to six weeks. If your dog will be on Atopica long-term, your vet may start off at the lowest dose and then systematically increase the dosage as and if required.
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What if I Forget to Give a Dose of Atopica for Dogs?
If the time for the next dose is close, then skip the missed dose. If you have missed giving the dose by a smaller margin and there is a significant amount of time left for the next dose, you should be able to administer the missed dose safely. Consult the vet if you have any doubts or if you need any clarifications.
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What if I Give a Double Dose of Atopica?
Contact your vet immediately if you have given a double dose of Atopica for dogs. You should keep your dog under strict observation and let your vet know about any signs of distress your dog may be showing. If you have administered a double dose before by mistake, you should take precautions to prevent it from happening again.
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Where Should I Store This Food?
Store Atopica for dogs at room temperature in a place far away from where your dogs, cats, and children can reach. They can suffer adverse side effects if they ingest it accidentally and in doses that are too high for them. You should keep it away from direct sunlight in an airtight container. Avoid contact with moisture, heat, or water.
An effective and affordable generic of Atopica is Cyclosprine.
