Cyclosporine question

[Tamara]

Oh wise ones: I’m paying it forward and asking this question for a friend. If a dog is going to have tummy troubles with cyclo (this is all she’s on, bad allergies), in general how long will it be before they show up? Immediately? Or can she be ok for a bit and then they develop? I would think either case could be possible, but wanted to see what you all have to say. Thank you so much.

[Patrice]

Tamara,
This is usually immediately, as soon as the first dose. Dr. Dodds has noted that giving it with food for a few days will allow the dog to adjust to the drug and then it can be given without food. A very few dogs have never been able to adjust and the drug has to be removed. But I personally think that these dogs may have other digestive issues that were complicating matters.

The Atopica study I read indicated this was the most common side effect and that it usually was “transitory.” It can be alarming to an owner to give this drug and your dog is vomiting! But it is such an important drug that an owner should attempt to get their dog through this initial period of stomach disagreement if at all possible.

In fact, the dosage that they start dogs on for allergies is overall the same as it is for dogs with AIHA and bone marrow failure, a loading dose that is higher.

The expected outcome is that a dog with allergies will eventually become much better and can go on a maintenance dose after a few weeks. Dogs can have life altering allergies and Atopica has changed that significantly. Chance had life altering allergies but this drug was not on the market at that time. It would have changed his life for the better if it had been available.
my best
patrice

[Tamara]

Thank you Patrice! You rock!