Managing Atopica and Its Effects

The best thing about having a dog as your pet is that they don’t judge you, and are constantly by your side. While having them around is a big responsibility, they become a part of the family, and instantly the member who keeps everyone connected. You have to dedicate a lot of time, and attention to your canine friend so that they feel secured and as a part of the family.

An active dog is a healthy dog, and if your pet is getting a good workout every day, then chances of health issues are low. But like humans, they are susceptible to different health issues, and may encounter them due to various reasons. It is important to take note of the symptoms with the vet and then determine the course of treatment.

One of the biggest blows for a dog owner is to have a friend who feels itchy and uncomfortable all the time. Since their skin is not designed to hold up hours of chewing or scratching, if the problem is not looked into, your pet’s coat will look moth eaten and thin in no time. Further complications can lead to bacterial and fungal infections, sores and scabs. Unless you are lucky, the problem can just be fleas.

When a vet is faced with pets with allergic or atopic problems, the first thing that they recommend is soothing and medicated shampoos and lotions. Oral corticosteroids or corticosteroid injections can also be administered to stop the itching for the time being, as prolonged use can lead to weight gain.

Allergies that are caused by antibodies like pollen or dust mites is something that you would ignore, but produces inflammation that irritates the nerve endings of your canine pet. Cyclosporine or atopica is something that prevents the chemical release on the dog’s skin, thus preventing further itching. It is as effective as corticosteroids in reducing inflammation of the skin.

However you must bear in mind that atopica for dogs was only designed for dogs that weight at least four pounds, and not for small dogs. At the same time, it has different side effects than corticosteroids, and you are recommended to study thoroughly about the effects and how it can be beneficial in your dog’s case. Although most of the dogs are able to handle the drug perfectly well, it may take some time to show the side effects.

There is no secret way to success as to how the drugs work or are managed, but your dog needs to follow a strict dieting and dosing schedule. Try not to administer any other drug with this, as this can cause a lapse to the dog’s health, and you never know how they might respond.

So when you find your dog encountering such problems, you must take them to the vet to chart out the right treatment, and help them relieve from their condition. You can also shop for the drugs and other canine health medication from the online drug stores which are Rx certified. Let your dogs have a good scratch free time, and keep all infections and allergies at bay, restoring the spring back.

The author is a pet lover and animal health enthusiast. He has worked closely with veterinarians and understands animal health issues. He is also an avid reader and a proficient writer. He has written articles and blogs about pet medications.