My dog has bad skin allergies, my vet recommend a drug called Atopica which would cost $380 per month!?

Question

Unfortunately, there is no way I can swing $380 per month. I was told that there really are not other allergy drugs for dogs. The other options are Benadryl which only masks the condition and steroids which are not safe for long term use. My dog was on 15 days of steroids which made a huge difference, but now for the long term my vet recommended the Atopica. Has anyone heard of any other allergy drugs for dogs?

Answer 1

Other options that you can discuss with your veterinarian are giving a drug called ketoconazole along with Atopica. This drug alter enzymes in the liver allowing the Atopica (also known as cyclosporine) to have a longer effect thus allowing the dose of Atopica to be decreased in half. This drug does have side effects and usually requires that routine bloodwork is performed to monitor your dogs liver enzymes. Another option is to call around to human pharmacies and ask for the price of generic cyclosporine. Sometimes it can cost as much as 1/4 the price of what Atopica cost. Once you find a pharmacy with a reasonable price you can ask your veterinarian to call in the prescription for you. Just be aware that in some dogs the generic form of cyclosporine may not be as effective as Atopica. I wish you luck

Answer 2

I would sure recommend that you contact Marina Zacharias for help with this.. http://www.naturalrearing.com/how_to_contact_us.htm
Marina is an Holistic practitioner, and would know the very safest and most effective ways to treat your dog's atopy..
I asked her for permission to post her contact info here, and she said she would be happy to help in any way she could..she will answer emails quickly or phone calls (Pacific standard time) and consults are free..She has helped me many times, over many years.

Answer 3

Dogs have all kind of allergies and diseases, in your case is kind of expensive, you can even pay installments on a new Lexus with that kind of money, but if you love your dog, the decision is up to you..☺

Answer 4

bathe your dog with a special shampoo,designed to help with allergies.use stainless steel bowls,and wash them every day.when you vacuum make sure,your dog is in a different room.also if you are a smoker,keep your dog away from it.put plastic on whatever your dog sleeps on. they also have a spray, you can use on your dog,to stop the itching.you can buy it at pet co,hope your dog will be better soon.

Answer 5

I would just put him down if I were you. Its a dog. Just a dog.