As a cat owner, watching your furry friend suffer from skin allergies can be a heart-wrenching experience. The constant itching, scratching, and inflammation can not only cause discomfort for your pet but also significantly impact their quality of life. Finding an effective treatment for feline skin allergies can seem impossible, but the good news is that there is a solution. Atopica for cats is a powerful medication that has been proven to provide long-term relief from the symptoms of skin allergies. If you're tired of seeing your cat suffer and want to learn more about this life-changing medication, keep reading to discover the benefits of using Atopica for cats with skin allergies.
What is Atopica for cats and how does it work?
Atopica for cats is a prescription medication that is approved for use to treat skin allergies in cats. The medicinal ingredient in Atopica® is cyclosporine which is an immunosuppressant drug that works by reducing the production of certain immune system mediators that are responsible for causing the symptoms of skin allergies.
Benefits of using Atopica for cats with skin allergies
Using Atopica for cats with skin allergies can provide relief from many of the irritating and uncomfortable symptoms associated with allergies. The medication works by suppressing the immune system and reducing the production of mediators responsible for causing inflammation and itching. As a result, cats treated with Atopica often show significant improvement in their symptoms.
When cats are treated with Atopica, their quality of life is significantly improved. Not only do they experience relief from the discomfort of skin allergies, but they can also lead a normal and more active lifestyle. Studies have shown that cats on long-term treatment with Atopica had a greater reduction in itching, scratching, and other skin allergy symptoms than those treated with a placebo.
In addition, Atopica is well-tolerated by most cats and has few side effects. The most common side effects reported are vomiting, decreased appetite and weight loss, which are usually mild and resolve on their own. However, for many cat owners, the benefits of using this medication far outweigh any potential risks.
Long-term control of skin allergies with Atopica for cats can be a reliable and effective way to manage the symptoms associated with feline skin allergies. After starting treatment, most cats experience a reduction in itching, scratching, inflammation, and other symptoms within a few weeks. However, it is important to continue treatment over the long term to maintain control and keep your cat healthy and comfortable. Most cats can transition to a twice-per-week dosing schedule when used long-term but this should be done under the direction and supervision of your veterinarian.
How is Atopica® administered to cats?
Atopica for cats is conveniently dosed in liquid form. In addition, the provided syringe is calibrated to the weight of the cat, making it easy to dose based on weight. The medication should be given orally, either directly into the mouth or mixed with a very small amount of food. Ideally, Atopica should be given 1 hour before or 2 hours after meals.
What are the side effects of Atopica for cats?
While Atopica for cats is generally well tolerated by cats, potential side effects include:
- Vomiting and/or retching
- Weight loss
- Decreased appetite
- Lethargy
- Hypersalivation
- Behavioural changes (hiding, aggression, etc.)
To minimize gastrointestinal side effects, administer Atopica with a small amount of food, and start with a lower dose for the first two weeks. Additionally, pretreatment with maropitant (Cerenia®) may be necessary within the initial seven days to reduce the gastrointestinal side effects.
When should the use of Atopica be avoided in cats?
As Atopica is not recommended for cats with feline leukemia virus (FeLV) or feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) infections, the use of this medication should be avoided in these cases.
To prevent potential exposure to Toxoplasma organisms while on cyclosporine, cats that are Toxoplasma-negative should not venture outdoors or consume raw meat as the likelihood of developing clinical toxoplasmosis is high if infection occurs.
FAQs about Atopica®
Is Atopica for cats a steroid-based medication?
No, Atopica for cats is not a steroid-based medication. The active ingredient in atopica for cats is cyclosporine, which works by suppressing the immune system and reducing the production of mediators responsible for causing inflammation and itching and therefore treating allergic skin disease.
Do you have to taper off Atopica in cats?
No, you do not have to taper off atopica in cats when planning to discontinue. When used long-term and under the direction of your veterinarian, tapering the lowest effective dose is advised and most cats can transition to a twice-per-week dosing schedule when used long-term.
What is an alternative for Atopica for cats?
Veterinarians do not recommend using generic cyclosporine in cats due to limited absorption. When treating skin disease in cats, and when Atopica is not possible due to cost or side effects, consider using a steroid-based medication such as prednisolone to help provide relief of allergy symptoms.
Atopica for cats is an effective medication to treat skin allergies in cats with minimal side effects. When side effects do occur, the most common are vomiting, decreased appetite and weight loss. Atopica should be administered orally either directly into the mouth or mixed with a very small amount of food, 1 hour before or 2 hours after meals. When used long-term and under the direction of your veterinarian, atopica can transition to a twice-per-week dosing schedule. If atopica isn't possible due to cost or side effects, consider using prednisolone as an alternative treatment option. In any case, it's important to discuss all options with your veterinarian so that you make the best decision for your cat's health and well-being.