I have reported on some of the side effects from the miracle drug Cyclosporines used to treat dog atopy ..  but there’s much more you need to know ..

You can’t take it if you are using any drugs (prescription or over the counter for) allergic reactions, arthritis, asthma.  Curiously this is exactly why you would be using this drug for your dog !

So if you take this you probably cant use anti histamines for your dog.

“Do not eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice while you use cyclosporine.”  Fortunately dogs don’t usually like citrus.

Other Cyclosporine precautions for dogs taking it

Your dentist needs to know (ie no radiology on your dog while taking this course)

Cyclosporine may increase your risk of skin cancer. So dogs are limited with outdoor playing

Cyclosporine may lower the ability of your body to fight infection – which could increase teh chance of kennel cough, parv virus etc.

Do not get your dog vaccinated while taking the course.

Cyclosporine may reduce the number of clot-forming cells (platelets) in your blood. So your dog might bleed out.

Cyclosporine may affect your blood sugar or give you poor blood pressure

the mild side effects include:  Acne; dizziness; headache; increased hair growth; mild diarrhea; nausea; runny nose; sleeplessness; stomach discomfort; vomiting.

Other complications when given to your dog

• Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; shortness of breath.  wheezing; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue);
• black, tarry stools; severe or persistent diarrhea;
• burning, numbness, or tingling;
• change in the appearance of a mole;
• chest, jaw, or arm pain;
• confusion; decreased coordination; mental or mood changes (eg, depression);
• fast or irregular heartbeat;
• gum disease or overgrowth; mouth sores or swelling;
• muscle aches, cramps, pain, or weakness; unusual tiredness or weakness;
• ringing in the ears or hearing loss;
• seizures; tremor;
• severe or persistent headache or dizziness;
• stomach pain;
• sudden unusual sweating;
• symptoms of infection (eg, chills, fever, increased or painful urination, sore throat, severe or persistent cough, warm or painful skin);
• symptoms of kidney problems (eg, change in the amount of urine produced, difficult or painful urination, blood in the urine);
• symptoms of liver problems (eg, dark urine; pale stools; severe or persistent nausea, vomiting, or loss of appetite);
• unusual bleeding or bruising;
• unusual lumps; unusual swelling; unusual thickening or growth on the skin;
• vision changes (eg, blindness);
• vomit that looks like coffee grounds; yellowing of the skin or eyes.

NOW I DON’T WANT TO ALERT YOU, But, this is NOT a complete list of all side effects that may occur.

CONCLUSION

I would have to say upon reading this, that there are very good reasons why this expensive drug is rarely prescribed for dogs atopy.  It might be very good at treating it, but it seems can have many other fatal complications …