Has anyone had any experiences with Atopica for the use in anal furunculosis.  I understand its a super drug for skin problems/atopy but for it to be successfull in a.f it is given in high doses for 10/12 weeks.  My male gsd is on his 2nd course of it but has aged, lost condition and looks dull although much happier as his bum has improved loads.  Just wondered if how he is is a side affect of the drug? He is 6 and after trying homeo and other treatments, this is the most effective drug for his condition.  Seeing the vet tomorrow eve but wondered if anyone has had any similar experiences with this drug.
xx

some dogs will get badly vomit after eat Atopica

Hi Barking Mad

I cant give you any help regarding atopica for af but my dog had af a couple of years ago and had cryosurgery.  My regular vet recommended atopica but I wasn't keen as an initial approach.  I researched af loads including speaking to people whose dogs had had cryosurgery.  I made the decision that I would prefer to try surgery in the first instance (my vet did advise me that there were very few vets in the country who still treat af this way and that cylosporine was the new drug with good results).  I found a vet in Staffordshire who specialised in this type of surgery, he removed his anal glands as well as any diseased tissue (the disease was in the early stages).  TOUCH WOOD, I have had no further problems and we are now 2 years on. I felt at the time that if the surgery gave my boy a reduced amount of time on cyclosporine then it was worth a go.  Incidentally, my dog has had cyclosporine in his eyes for 6 years now due to plasmoma of the third eyelid.  There was no other other treatment available for plasmoma.

Please let me know if you would like to chat personally about this really awful disease or if you would like any information regarding the vet who carried out my dogs op.

All the best.

Hi
thanks for your reply.  My dog is under my vet but is being guided by a professor at the London vet school who is looking into pedigrees etc to see if there is any genetic links etc and has recommended this treatment for my dog.  I have been advised that cryo would not suit him in this case.  I feel lucky to have such experienced professionals helping us.  I am so pleased your dog has responded well and is doing ok, if only we could erradicate this disease once and for all.  Just had blood results back as he has become so out of condition since being on the tabs, they were normal and have been assured by Novartis that this is normal and he will get back to normal after the treatment has finished.  His bum has almost completely healed  so he is a happier dog all round.
thanks for your response.

Yes, I had my GSD (now sadly gone) on Cyclosporin for AF for about 2 years, with a gradually decreasing dose. I didn't see any side effects at all luckily, and ultimately we were able to discontinue it without a recurrence of the AF. She was under the Queen Mother Hospital for Animals at Potters Bar.

I wish you all the luck in the world with his treatment. Hopefully if the Atopica is what is dragging him down a bit he will improve when you are able to get him off it.

Kat

Hi
Thanks for your response.  My poor lad is looking quite old at the mo, noticed today that one of his teeth has died and his gums are bleeding, this has only happened within the last few weeks as I check him every week or so.  Only two weeks left on these tabs then we reduce to a maintenence dose - cant come quick enough.  AF has gone and his bum looks great.
Thanks
Lisa