HOW TO APPLY PROTOPIC
Proper Application Increases Your Chance Of Success
By: Moderator and PF Owner, Harro
This information is especially beneficial to those new to dealing with Canine Perianal Fistulas
If you are going to try this treatment you need to know how to
apply correctly or you will not get the full benefit.
a) Butt area must be DRY, hair clipped or shaved and free from
residue from various salves or anything that may hinder
absorption thru the skin.
b) Wear surgical glove or finger cott on application hand.
c) Apply a THIN layer massaging as dog will allow.
d) Apply to ALL surrounding anal tissue & not just lesions only. Remember that you are only seeing the surface of the problem & that the inner mass may very well be elsewhere beneath the surface. Ask
your DVM where he/she feels the inner mass to help you locate
where you need to concentrate application to help shink that
inner mass but DO apply & massage in the ENTIRE surrounding anal
area.
e) A Q-tip can be used to get the ointment into the nooks &
crannies of damaged tissue.
f) Do not allow dog to lick the area for 20 min or longer after application.
g) Many find night time applications to be best when dog can settle down for the night.
h) Do NOT attempt to get this inside the anus!
i) The Protopic tube in the larger size should last approx.
3-4months. Make sure you have the formula with the highest % of
tacrolimous (0.1%)as they make milder formulas which will not be
as effective.
j) In cooler weather the ointment may be harder to spread so members have either put the tube in warm water to soften it or rubbed the tube between the hands to warm it up.
k) The usual application is once per day. The study had found that "more is not necessarily better" with this treatment & so have some members who's dogs actually got worse with additional applications.
l) If holes are oozing a lot of liquid you might try a dusting of
corn starch applied to a damp tissue. Gently rub the corn starch on the tissue to break down any clumps, then hold the tissue against the anal area for a few seconds. The corn starch will help dry the area and stop the oozing allowing the Protopic to adhere to the area where it is applied. Carol experimented with the corn starch application for three days and reported significant improvement to the fistula. The seeping has subsided and the fistula is 95% improved now that the Protopic is not being flushed out by the previously oozing hole. (GREAT idea Carol K). The area should always be clean and dry before applying the Protopic.
m) The ointment must be ABSORBED thru the outer skin layer to the inner tissues to be effective.
n) Do not be confused by the label instructions because those
instructions are for application on humans usually with scalp
problem such as eczema etc. which have nothing to do with PF
treatment for dogs.
