Atopica for itchy cat

Hi Everyone!
 

I have made a separate topic for atopica.  My vet has suggested this as a possible option to help treat my little kitty who continues to have itchy skin.  We are currently treating her with 1/2 claratin 2x per day.  it helps some but she still seems itchy.  We have already tried steroid prednisone and also the depo Medrol injection.  The injection helped some but didn't seem to last long.  We did a full skin biopsy and culture and that came back as long term allergic skin ( lots of other big diagnostic words that I can't type ).  Wondering if anyone is using atopica for a similar situation and what your results have been?  I'm concerned that it's an immunosuppressant - I don't want to trigger cancer within her because of using this but I also understand in some cases it's been extremely helpful.

I also came across a product called Calm Coat - I might try that as well and see, seems the reviews for those using it with a kitty with allergic issues seems to work well.

Since no one has responded so far, I found this thread where some people DID respond and gave their opinions (or not).  http://www.thecatsite.com/t/287988/liquid-medicine-atopica-prednisone-for-imha  That thread is a couple of years old now, but it's better than nothing.

Just as an aside, if nothing else works, and it improves your furbaby's quality of life, it might be worth the risk of what "might" happen down the road, IMHO.  Of course, that's just one person's opinion.

Thank you!

I haven't been here since I last posted - took quite awhile to figure out the correct diagnosis.  Finally took her to the dermo and did a blood panel and it said her major triggers were dust mites and storage mites.  We treated with almost 2 months of prednisolone 5mg and also atopica 25 mg capsules for dogs.  She is truly like a new cat!  Licking and making sores has completely stopped!  I agree, sometimes for quality of life you have to make a choice to use a medication like this.  I'd rather her have 10 or whatever peaceful years of no itching than 15+ miserable years with open sores on her body!

What a wonderful update   I'm so glad things have worked out for your little one.  Thanks for sharing.  It may be very helpful for someone else to know about this .