Dog with allegies?

ceewash

After much deliberation we have decided to adopt a dog from the rescue centre. Having chosen our dog we now find that she is on expensive medication for allergies to "everything". The centre will continue to pay for the tablets and are going to try her on something different and cheaper before she is rehoused. If this doesn't work then they will put her back on the original tablets which I think are steroids.
My dilemma is financial. Could the tablets cause other conditions such as kidney problems. I was told insurance won't cover conditions arising from allergies or side effects. I am going to speak to the vet tomorrow but just wondered if anyone else has a dog on long term medication for allergies and if it effects other aspects of its health.
I know this sounds heartless but I know how expensive vet bills can be.

joansgirl

Sorry, can't offer any practical advise, just wanted to say that I don't think you're being heartless, I think you're being sensible. Much better to be prepared for all eventualities than take on an animal that you find you can't afford to keep further down the line and then have to re-home them again.

Good luck, hope everything works out ok.

ceewash

Thanks. The dog has already been returned to dogs home as owners could not afford medication. The centre has offered to pay for tablets but we are worried about long term use of steroids.

Jalapee

My parents dog is also allergic to 'everything' as has been on the steroid medication for over 5 years, well on and off, she doesn't need to take it as much in the winter time as we use cream instead of the steroids for her ears and body etc.

it hasnt effected her at all

Jalapee

well, i mean, the treatment has helped her alot, but the steroid themselves have not effected her!

GoldenShadow

What medication is it? Need to know specifics, really.

Jalapee wrote: »

My parents dog is also allergic to 'everything' as has been on the steroid medication for over 5 years, well on and off, she doesn't need to take it as much in the winter time as we use cream instead of the steroids for her ears and body etc.

it hasnt effected her at all

Well, my golden retriever has been on and off steroids all of his life but after more regular dosing (still not daily but a few weeks at a time in a tapering off dose) for approximately six months he came down with pancreatitis. I now have to make sure he has a diet not overly high in fat and be on the look out because he is more likely to get it again having had it the once. Some vets dispute it, but other vets agree there is a positive correlation between pancreatitis and the use of corticosteroids.

ETA: I always wanted mine off steroids if possible and he is mostly off them thankfully. Its not an option for everyone though and he is going through a rough patch at the moment. Steroids are miracle drugs but they do have their downsides too, sadly. Rupert gets withdrawal a few weeks after coming off them too where he gets very itchy and uncomfortable. Coincides with them leaving his system those few weeks down the line.

Misty_Blue

What is the expensive medication the dog is already on?

One of my dogs is very allergic and we took him off steroids because of the side effects for long term use, although they were very inexpensive. He's now on a much more expensive medication, but it has worked wonders with none of the side effects associated with steroids.

Edited to add - My dog's insurance has always covered every single issue arising from his allergies, including the long term used of expensive medication. The problem will be taking out a new policy when the dog has an existing condition.

GoldenShadow

The only expensive 'medication' I know of for allergies is Atopica. That is the very last resort for my lad. As in, when nothing else works and only when nothing else works. Luckily we are not yet at that point. He is 5 and gets very ill very quickly if I'm not careful but we manage to keep him ticking along OK most of the time.

Misty_Blue

GoldenShadow wrote: »

The only expensive 'medication' I know of for allergies is Atopica.

That's what my dog is on, and it really has worked miracles for him. The last resort for us after that if it hadn't worked was an injection that had to be made specifically to order for him, and imported from France.

He has been on the Atopica for about 2 years now.

ceewash

Thanks for all this advice. I need to find out more. I have an appointment with vet. Obviously this is quite common. We really want to adopt this dog so trying to be positive about it.

clairey_em

My furry boy is allergic to 'everything' and he has just started atopica. He's had several bad bouts of dermatitis and several rounds of antibiotics, special shampoo, stuff for his ear infections you name it. He is covered by the insurance and I know that the atopica can have bad side affects but we have to try. I have heard lots of good things about it too though so I'm keeping my fingers crossed. Poor thing having to be rehed because the owners couldn't afford it. Personally I think you do have to weigh up the risks and the financial costs.