QUESTION
Our 5 year old dog has just been put on Atopica Cyclosporine to try and alleviate the symptoms of allergies to house dust mites, pollen etc. We did not want to put her on steroids due to the side-ffects but are wondering what the long term side effects of Cyclosporine are?
Janice
ANSWER
Dear Janice,
I'm afraid I cannot help you much with this query. This drug is a new formulation for skin disease although cyclosporin has been available and used in the treatment of eye and some immune mediated diseases in the dog for some time. There is, to my knowledge, little evidence in regard to long term side effects. It is a very potent immunosuppresive drug and is known to have side effects in humans. The data sheets report the possibility of sickness and bowl upset but nothing about any long term problems. I am sure it will have a place in the treatment of canine atopic disease as do the corticosteroidal drugs which, in my opinion, are unfairly criticised in terms of their side effects against the real benefit to quality of life they produce in most canine patients if used sensibly.
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