question for Mary Plummer and Traci:

[davet]

when i got back from our trip had a load of mail and one journal had a new nonsteroidal treatment for Atopy.. i though it was in
veterinary News but if may have been a mail out...Traci if you are familiar or come across it will you post it for Mary..It sounded pretty good,,,course all new drugs sound pretty good, but it mught be an answer to Mr. Blues proble...i'll keep looking but i think it ahas gone the way of most mailing sruff...

[Traci]

Yes, it's in VPN...also in this month's issue, (June 2004), page 5 with product insert.

Owners can check out Novartis' Atopica here

[Mary Plummer]

Thanks Davet and Traci! I've printed out some information here, and will talk to our vets about it. Quick question: what is "gingival hyperplasia"? They mention this as a precaution, and I don't have a clue what that means!

[Traci]

It's a condition that presents swelling or hard nodules along the gum line or pockets near diseased teeth/gums. Signs would be notable swelling/masses or bleeding gums.

[Mary Plummer]

Thanks Traci! I'm going to bring in the info I printed off the link you gave and talk to our vets, but I do have a general question. Can't it be dangerous to give a pet (or a person) a brand-new medication? I'm just wondering if it's one of those things where it would be best to wait a while, to make sure there's no unknown side effects. I know our vets will answer this too, but I'm curious.

[Traci]

Well, NO drug is without potential side effects, including Atopica. If you read every product insert sheet, you'd probably run from every known drug to man, including aspirin. Also remember, that many of the "new" drugs for veterinary use have also received a fair amount of false reporting, (especially over the net), so when you have concerns, don't rely on heresay or info on the net, but discuss your concerns in full with your vet. He has access to the product insert info, MSDS sheets, clinical data, and controlled studies info where provided.

Atopica contains cyclosporine, and does have contraindications (as with all drugs, contraindications are noted as they are discovered in field trials, doesn't mean every dog will suffer a noted side effect), so if you are interested in the product, do discuss it at length with your vet. (as you would with any other medication)

I understand your concern, and sometimes I hesitate too, but your vet is the best advocate of anyone and can discuss with you any concerns you may have as they may relate to Mr Blue in particular.

[davet]

my philodophy with new compounds was to wait 6 months and then check with my local vets to see if they had any problems.., I don't say my philophy was the best but it did keep me out of some problems