Cyclosporine is an immunosuppressive drug that is used to treat allergic processes and immune-mediated diseases that affect various devices and systems. It is a drug with high efficacy and safety, which is usually associated with mild and reversible side effects. However, its high cost means that it is not usually used as a drug of first choice in immunosuppressive therapies.
If you want to know more about cyclosporine for dogs, don't miss the following article on our site in which we talk about its dosage, uses and side effects.
What is cyclosporine?
Cyclosporine, also known as cyclosporine A, is an immunosuppressive drug, that is, a drug used to reduce the response of the immune system. Specifically, it is a selective immunosuppressant that acts specifically and reversibly on T lymphocytes
This is a highly effective and safe drug for use in dogs, although it has a economic cost notably higher than others immunosuppressants, such as corticosteroids.
Currently, it is available on the market in three different presentations:
- Soft capsules for oral administration
- Oral solution
- Ophthalmic ointment
What is cyclosporine used for in dogs?
As we have explained, cyclosporine is a powerful immunosuppressant. It works by binding to T lymphocytes and inhibiting the production of interleukin-2 (IL-2) and other cytokines involved in activating the immune system. For this reason, cyclosporine is used as an immunosuppressive treatment in those pathologies that require a modulation of the functioning of the immune system, as is the case of allergic processes and immune-mediated diseasesIn the next section, we will talk more specifically about the uses of cyclosporine in dogs.
Despite the efficacy and safety of cyclosporine, it is not usually a drug of first choice in immunosuppressive treatments due to its high cost. In medium-large dogs, treatment with cyclosporine can range between €180 and €600 per month (depending on the dose), which means that many caregivers cannot afford the therapeutic cost. For this reason, cyclosporine is often used in patients who do not tolerate or respond to other more affordable immunosuppressive drugs, such as corticosteroids.
Uses of cyclosporine for dogs
As we have pointed out in the previous section, cyclosporine is used as a treatment for pathologies that require immunosuppressive therapy. Specifically, cyclosporine in dogs is used in:
- Allergic processes: it is especially indicated to treat chronic atopic dermatitis in dogs.
- Immune-mediated diseases: this group includes diseases of a very diverse nature that affect many devices and systems. Some of the most frequent are: immune-mediated hemolytic anemia, inflammatory bowel disease (or IBD), perianal fistulae, immune-mediated stomatitis, immune-mediated hepatitis, immune-mediated meningoencephalitis, lupus erythematosus, immune-mediated conjunctivitis, keratitis, and uveitis.
Dog Cyclosporine Dosage
Dose of cyclosporine in dogs depends on several factors:
- Route of administration.
- Pathology to be treated and its severity.
- Patient Response.
Dog Oral Cyclosporine Dosage
The recommended dose of cyclosporine taken by mouth (both capsules and oral solution) is 5 mg/kg of body weight. It should always be given at least 2 hours before or after meals.
Specifically, the dosage of oral cyclosporine is as follows:
- Initially, the treatment should be administered daily until clinical improvement of the animal is detected, which usually happens within 4 weeks. If after 8 weeks no improvement is detected, treatment should be discontinued.
- Once the clinical signs are controlled, the drug can be administered on alternate daysas a maintenance dose. During this period, the veterinarian should make regular checks and adjust the dose based on the observed clinical response.
- When the symptoms are controlled, the veterinarian may prescribe the treatment every 3 or 4 days.
- When the disease is controlled, you can stop treatment. Should clinical signs reappear, treatment can be resumed with a daily dose.
Dog Ophthalmic Cyclosporine Dosage
Before applying the ophthalmic ointment, the eye should be cleaned of possible traces of dirt and exudates using non-irritating solutions. After that, apply 1 cm of ointment to the affected eye and repeat the application every 12 hours.
The duration of treatment with cyclosporine ophthalmic ointment depends on the severity of the process and the response obtained.
Cyclosporine side effects for dogs
Cyclosporine is a safe drug In fact, its data sheet indicates that adverse reactions are usually mild and transient, and occur on rare or very rare occasions. In addition, they usually do not require discontinuation of treatment and usually regress spontaneously after completion of therapy.
However, like any drug, cyclosporine is not exempt from side effects. The most frequent adverse reactions associated with its administration are:
- Gastrointestinal disorders: anorexia, vomiting, mucous or loose stools and diarrhoea.
- Lethargy or hyperactivity.
- Gingival hyperplasia: Most dogs treated with cyclosporine develop growths on their gums. However, they are not usually bothersome and disappear when the treatment is withdrawn.
- Hypertrichosis: excessive hair growth.
- Redness and swelling of the pinna.
- Weakness or muscle cramps.
- Diabetes mellitus: It has been observed very rarely, mainly associated with the west highland terrier breed.
- Eye redness, blepharospasm (eye closure due to eye pain), conjunctivitis and eye irritation.
Contraindications of cyclosporine for dogs
Despite the efficacy and safety of cyclosporine, there are certain situations in which its use may be counterproductive. Next, we highlight the main contraindications of cyclosporine in dogs:
- Allergy to cyclosporine or to any of the drug's excipients.
- Puppies less than 6 months old old or weighing less than 2 kg.
- Dogs with a medical history of malignant tumors.
- Vaccination: No vaccines (either live or inactivated) should be administered during treatment or in the two weeks before or after treatment, as the drug may interfere with the effectiveness of the vaccination.
Cyclosporine crosses the placental barrier and is excreted in milk. Therefore, the use of this drug is not recommended in pregnant or lactating bitches However, when considered necessary, treatment with cyclosporine may be started in breeding bitches following a positive risk/benefit assessment by a veterinarian.
Cyclosporine overdose or intoxication in dogs
Cyclosporine overdose or intoxication in dogs can be caused by accidental ingestion of the drug or by errors in administration by handlers. Although the adverse reactions associated with overdose are not very serious, it is important to detect them in time and go to the veterinarian to establish the most appropriate treatment.
Specifically, the reactions that can be observed in cases of intoxication due to doses 4 times higher than the recommended dose or due to overdosing for 3 months are:
- Hyperkeratosis in the auricle.
- Callous lesions on the footpads.
- Weight loss or decreased weight gain.
- Hypertrichosis: excessive hair growth.
- Increased erythrocyte sedimentation rate and decreased number of eosinophils.
Whenever you detect any of these symptoms, do not hesitate to go to your trusted veterinarian. Although there is no specific antidote for cyclosporine, symptomatic treatment can be instituted to control the signs of cyclosporine intoxication in dogs. Symptoms are usually reversible within 2 months.
In any case, remember the importance of keeping any medicinal product away from your animals and carefully following the guidelines established by your veterinarian. This will be the easiest way to avoid cases of overdose or intoxication by cyclosporine.
