Cyclosporine for the dog – also spelled cyclosporine – is an active ingredient given to dogs with atopic dermatitis
Like all active pharmaceutical ingredients, ciclosporin can be tough. Therefore, an application is only permitted after prior consultation with the veterinarian.
The following guide explains what else you need to consider with ciclosporin for dogs.
Cyclosporine for dogs: what is it and what is it used for?
Cyclosporine for dogs belongs to the group of drugs that suppress the immune system, it is a so-called immunosuppressant.
Cyclosporine is used if there is an overreaction of the immune systemfor example caused by an environmental allergy.
This can lead to atopic dermatitis in dogs. In addition, ciclosporin can also be administered for some eye diseases in dogs.
These include the so-called keraconjunctivitis, in which there is a dry cornea and conjunctiva.
Drugs with ciclosporin can also be administered to the dog in the case of nictitating skin incidents, such as cherry eye in dogs.
Furthermore, the active ingredient can be helpful in inflammatory bowel disease/IBD.
Ciclosporin is included in Atopica for dogs, Sandimmune for dogs and Optimmune for dogs, among others.
These drugs are available in different dosage forms and different ciclosporin concentrations.
Proper use and dosage of ciclosporin for dogs
The correct dosage of ciclosporin in dogs is in the case of atopic dermatitis at 5 mg per kilogram of body weight per day.
This dosage also applies if the dog is being treated with ciclosporin for chronic intestinal inflammation (IBD).
This means, for example, that a dog weighing 21.5 kilograms gets 10.75 mg of ciclosporin per day.
However, you should double-check with your veterinarian about the correct dosage and usage for your dog.
The ciclosporin-containing drug is then used once a day, ideally 2 hours before or after feeding.
Good to know
Dogs and pills are a topic unto themselves. So that there are no daily fights, the vet has special tablet syringes for particularly easy administration.
How long does it take for ciclosporin to work in dogs?
Cyclosporine is one of the substances that unfortunately does not show its effect from one day to the next – in this case only after 4 to 6 weeks.
Depending on the disease, therapy with ciclosporin can be supplemented by other medications.
It is also possible that the fur nose has to be treated with ciclosporin for life, for example in the case of keraconjunctivitis.
Good to know
If you have the impression that there is no improvement, an alternative therapy should be found for your dog so that it can experience rapid symptom relief.
What side effects can ciclosporin cause in dogs?
The side effects of ciclosporin in dogs include nausea, vomiting and mild diarrhea, which the still unknown active ingredient can cause in the first few days.
Hyperactivity could also be observed in some dogs, as well as the opposite phenomenon, lethargy and slackness.
Skin and gum lesions, swollen and red auricles, and muscle weakness and cramps can also occur as side effects.
Of course, these do not ensure that the dog has a positive experience with ciclosporin and should definitely be discussed with the veterinarian.
When should I not use ciclosporin in dogs?
It is not recommended to use ciclosporin in dogs if they are nursing bitches.
The active substance can be passed to the puppies via the milk, which should then be fed with a milk substitute.
The same applies to pregnant bitches. Again, it is likely that ciclosporin will be released to the unborn puppies in this case.
Since the drug metabolism runs via the liver and kidneys, ciclosporin should also not be used in dogs that suffer from organ dysfunction.
You should also look for a ciclosporin alternative for your dog if he has a proven overreaction to this drug.
Where can you buy ciclosporin for dogs?
Veterinary medicinal products containing the active ingredient ciclosporin are prescription drugs.
They are only available in pharmacies upon presentation of a corresponding prescription.
What such a drug costs you then of course depends on the product as well as the manufacturer and the ciclosporin concentration.
What alternatives are there to ciclosporin for dogs?
Alternatives to ciclosporin can include steroids, i.e. cortisone, which are contained in Prednicortone or Prednitab for dogs, among other things.
Please note here, however, that the long-term consequences for the health of the fur nose are actually tough stuff.
Long-term therapy is therefore not recommended, which most veterinarians will confirm.
Other alternatives to ciclosporin for dogs are medicines that contain oclacitinib. This active ingredient has anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic properties.
If these also contribute to negative experiences in your dog, the active ingredient interleukin-31 may be able to help. You can find this in Cytopoint (Lokivetmab) for dogs, among others.
Of course, the veterinarian decides which of these options can work for your dog – as well as the application and dosage.
Has your dog already had to undergo ciclosporin therapy and would you like to share your experiences? Then we look forward to reading them in our comments soon.