Max's hair Update 1/26/14

[mamabear]

One is called Derma 3 the other is Alenza.
I read up on them, they are good for the skin, but I don't see such a higher quality in those products then some of the less expensive ones out there. I want Max on a good one but there really is no need for me to buy what the dr is pushing.

We were able to figure out exactly what she wanted for his antibitoics and then I was able to go to the pharmacy and buy them. It cost me $21 to buy all the antibiotics for him. Certainly better than the $120 she wanted for them. It didn't take much to ask her for a prescription so I'm glad I did.

She still didn't get back to me on the atopica medicine.

I need to find out about the temaril P, I need to know if this is a drug he can stay on. She gave it to him for a short course so the atopica can start to work but if it's cheaper and it works just the same why am I paying for the atopica?

I hate not knowing and being stuck trying to figure it out. I mean if I knew other brands than I would be able to compare but I have no clue.

I wouldn't mind the testing. IF the test costs me $150 and I know right away what the issue is then that is still cheaper than the $60 per week I have to spend on an allergy medicine I might not need.

I am sure skin testing is ideal so yes i agree the skin test would be better off doing than the blood work.

This vet didn't say he had any deficiencies. She didn't want to do blood work either. SHe just said here is what he will need and it will be good for him.

[Traci]

The Temaril P was probably chosen by the vet to target directly any pruritus, and also has anti-inflammatory effects, and would maybe work quicker than the Atopica. Your vet probably saw an immediate need for skin/itch relief when she chose this.

But, both it and the Atopica can cause immunosuppression, in different ways, so neither is really designed for long-term use. Additionally, Max's bloodwork, particularly kidney and liver enzymes should be tested before and sometime during the course of the Atopica.

The Temaril P needs to be dosed and adjusted (tapered down) much like prednisolone. I would ask the vet if maybe a couple weeks break from it before starting Atopica would be wise. It could be that Max might even respond to the Temaril P before considering starting Atopica, in which, if the skin starts looking better, and Max feels better (no more itches, etc), then tapering to a low dose for a little while might be all that's necessary. Although, this is a YMMV sort of thing.

As for the Derma 3, it's virtually the same as omega 3/omega 6 combination found in fish oil, so if you want to compare prices, I'd suggest Welactin for Dogs - you have to puncture or twist off the tips of the caps on the gel caps and squirt it on food. (I use Welactin for two of my cats, I like it, they like it and I trust the brand - I get mine at entirelypets.com).

As for the Alenza, it sounds like a hyped up commercial, but yet, it claims to have antioxidant properties which may not be a bad thing. The "proprietary blend" however, doesn't exactly lend to any credibility, since no one knows what the blend is, they could be hyping the product. I would drill the vet on what her experience with Alenza is, and if she's seen any research studies on it to imply it's better than anything else.

So, your main concerns are with the Temaril P and Atopica, both meds need to dosed cautiously and judiciously, and probably shouldn't be used together, unless in very low dosing, but I'm not familiar with this combination to even suggest using both at the same time - bloodwork will be necessary to monitor liver and kidneys while on both if this ends up being used for a certain time frame. I'm actually hoping the Temaril P does a better job without even having to use the Atopica, but no one can say for sure - Max's next recheck will determine where to go from there. Please, though, don't let her proceed with the Atopica without testing liver and kidney enzymes first.

In the immediate sense, ask her what's so special about the Alenza and if it's really necessary at this point, or if there's a more simpler, safer antioxidant supplement without the hype and additives.

[mamabear]

thank you.

as of right now she still hasn't returned my email regarding the atopica, so I am not going to cotinue it while he is on the temaril p.

Temaril p dose is
3 tabs twice daily for 3 days
2 tabs twice daily for 2 days
1 tab twice daily for 2 days

[Traci]

I didn't mean to imply you should change the treatment on your own - keep him on her suggested protocol until you can get ahold of her to discuss.

[mamabear]

I deffinately wont be changing the termaril.
She sent an email back now saying it might be scabies. She ddint do a scrapping but said it could be.
Ummm wouldnt we have been affected by itching too if he had scabies? She said its called mange.
I know what scabbies is and i think at least i would have noticed itching in me if he had it.
She said ivermetin or the other one i forget now but three doses two weeks apart. If still itching then a true allergy and he should be tested.
Then he can go on atopica.
Or i see the derm and get him tested.
Either way she wants me to check in with her on his progress

[Traci]

Well that sounds like an abrupt 180! Sheesh, then why didn't she do a skin scrape when you were there? Can you get Max in for one?

[mamabear]

Yeah it does sound odd. Here she was all gungho about the atopic and because I questioned it and the Termaril together she is now saying she was thinking about scabbies as well.

I'm not a vet and haven't been a tech in 20 years but I think I would have figured out scabbies a long time ago.

The other vet took skin off of him last year and found nothing. But that vet also said he didn't have any yeast growth either. Clearly max has some yeast and deffinately staph at this point.

I think right now I'm going to continue the medicine as per directed, except the atopica. Then I will see her again in 2 1/2 weeks. It's been 5 days since I've seen her and is next appt should be in 3 weeks. Then I will go from there.

I find it off that once I question her about this being a bandaid fix and getting to the heart of the matter she changes what she is saying.

This isn't about the money, I can always find these brands cheaper somewhere else, I wont spend more than I have too but it's really not about the money. It's about spending money that I might not have to spend if we know what the issue is.

She clearly knows I know more than most people knows that I will look anything up.

Not sure she is liking the fact that I am calling her out on her bandaid fix with the itchy skin. I know a client who swears by her because of the fact that their dog doesn't scratch anymore. I think that is great but what was the underlying cause of the itch in the first place. That's my concern.

No different than knowing giving meds for fluid around the heart and then finding out what caused it in the first place.

I'm not upset about this just trying to figure it out. very odd..

[mamabear]

update, so at this point, when I brush him, Max doesn't even lift his leg to try to scratch with me. I think he is doing so much better.

BUT his skin is still so flaky so not sure if I should bathe him again so soon. It's been about 3 weeks

[Traci]

What are you using to bathe him with?

[mamabear]

The groomer was using a medicated shampoo but i dont know what it is.
I dont mind getting something and doing it myself. I dont mind speninding the money if it will work well for him😃