Ratliff itch update and question!
Submitted by RattyFat87 on October 18, 2012 - 10:26amSo i had to switch vets in order to get Ratliff some help with the itching. We are on a temp steriod to allow his skin to heal so we can begin diagnosing the problem. He put ratty on a veggetarian food, thinking it might be the protien source causing the itching. Everything was good for about a week and now we are back to itching, even with the meds.
The vet gave me 2 options: go see a vet dermetologist or try out this non-steriodal drug called Atopica. Has anyone heard of it? i did a little bit of research online and it seems to have pretty good reviews so far. It tends to be a little expensive. I have not seen anything stating long term negative affects like that with steriods. I guess I am just trying to decide if it would be worth goin to the derm. for the allergy test, or to just put him on this medicine for life. opinions?
Also, ratty if officailly off cyclosprin for his eyes unless they look dry!! this means he wont smell like corn oil anymore!! lol! The vet did recommend buying over the counter dry eye solution, like for contacts for his eyes when they need a little extra help. Anyone do this for their bullies, and if so what do you use?? He does however need to see an eye specialist for hair removal on his bottom lids. Apparently the hair curls in and irritates his eyes which explains the goopy eyes he gets all the time. so surgery will be in his future.
Ratliff and his mom Kael
"Rescues are better than children!"
Atopica
From what I've read, Atopica can have serious side effects. Please check it out carefully before buying. That said, I've read postings from people on this forum saying it brought their Bulldog relief when nothing else could.
Please use an over the counter ointment/gel/drops for dry eye or severe dry eye like Genteal, do not use a solution for contacts. This will soothe his eyes and perhaps keep him from needing the surgery--it sounds like he may have entropian, and if it's mild might be maintained with lubricating ointment.
Good luck!
Entropian or Distichia
the are different depending on his condition. Entropian is where the eyelid rolls inward causing the hair on the lid to rub on the eye. If he has Entropian he will likely need surgery so he doesn't get eye ulcers. It is like an eye lift, they make a small incision on the lid taking some skin out and resuturing. Distichia is where eye lashes grow inward on the inside of the lid and rub on the eye. If there are a couple stray eyelashes those can be plucked...but if there are lots of eye lashes then they need to be lasered. They may have to laser a couple of different times to get all the follicles.
A heavily wrinkled overdone dog is likely to have entropian troubles.
I would opt for a specialist .... then jumping to a drug for the longterm health of your dog.
Maybe your dog is allergic to vegtables...LOL and not the protein source, after all they are carnivores not vegetarians. Sometimes you have to try alot of different foods and proteins sources to find what works best. Maybe time for some allergy testing to help. It can also be environmental and not food related at all.
Atopica
From what I've read, Atopica can have serious side effects. Please check it out carefully before buying. That said, I've read postings from people on this forum saying it brought their Bulldog relief when nothing else could.
Please use an over the counter ointment/gel/drops for dry eye or severe dry eye like Genteal. Do not use a solution for contacts. This will soothe his eyes and perhaps keep him from needing the surgery--it sounds like he may have entropian, and if it's mild might be maintained with lubricating ointment.
Good luck!
Atopica
We had Kilmore on Atopica for a short time and it gave him a seizure. I think he had only taken two-three doses and had the seizure. That was a side effect, so we took him off and he never had another seizure again. We ended up taking him to a dermatologist and it was well worth it. They had his ears finally looking good and he had eye drops and ointment had had to take. I know others have given Atopica without any issues, but for us it didn't work. Hope you find something that works for Ratliff.
Sarah