Protopic 0.03% Ointment
Protopic 0.03% (tacrolimus) is positioned as a best-in-class topical immunomodulator because it is a well-established, pharmaceutical-grade tacrolimus ointment with consistent formulation and a documented track record of off-label veterinary use for canine dermatologic inflammation. Compared with compounded tacrolimus or topical cyclosporine options, Protopic offers manufactured consistency and broader supply chain support from a large pharma, while remaining a lower-cost, localized alternative to systemic biologics like lokivetmab.
Reduces itching
Steroid-sparing action
Reduces itching
Steroid-sparing action
Review Summary
"Owners report Protopic 0.03% often helps focal atopic lesions and reduces itching, but responses can be variable and some dogs experience initial stinging; cost and off-label/compounded sourcing are common concerns."
Spot treatment — pocket-sized magic
Tacrolimus 0.03% topical ointment used off-label to manage canine atopic dermatitis and localized immune-mediated lesions.
Spot treatment — pocket-sized magic
Tacrolimus 0.03% topical ointment used off-label to manage canine atopic dermatitis and localized immune-mediated lesions.
Increased Safety & Security
Protopic 0.03% (tacrolimus) is positioned as a best-in-class topical immunomodulator because it is a well-established, pharmaceutical-grade tacrolimus ointment with consistent formulation and a documented track record of off-label veterinary use for canine dermatologic inflammation. Compared with compounded tacrolimus or topical cyclosporine options, Protopic offers manufactured consistency and broader supply chain support from a large pharma, while remaining a lower-cost, localized alternative to systemic biologics like lokivetmab.
Reduces itching
Steroid-sparing action
Spot treatment — pocket-sized magic
Tacrolimus 0.03% topical ointment used off-label to manage canine atopic dermatitis and localized immune-mediated lesions.
Applied thinly to affected skin once or twice daily per veterinary instructions for reduction of inflammation and pruritus.
Reduces itching
Steroid-sparing action
Spot treatment — pocket-sized magic
Tacrolimus 0.03% topical ointment used off-label to manage canine atopic dermatitis and localized immune-mediated lesions.
Applied thinly to affected skin once or twice daily per veterinary instructions for reduction of inflammation and pruritus.
$80-150 CAD
Atopica Topical Solution
Atopica Topical Solution applies the cyclosporine modality in a localized topical form intended for targeted immunomodulation of affected skin areas in dogs, offering an option that limits systemic exposure compared with oral cyclosporine. Against other products in this list, it occupies a middle ground financially and technically—more specific than compounded generics and less costly and less systemically active than injectable biologics—benefiting from established veterinary brand distribution and formulation know-how.
Topical cyclosporine
Soothes inflammation
Topical cyclosporine
Soothes inflammation
Review Summary
"Users of Atopica Topical Solution note modest improvement in mild-to-moderate allergic dermatitis with fewer systemic effects than oral therapy, but many find results inconsistent and complain about the need for frequent application and expense."
Fast-drying — no greasy fur
Topical cyclosporine solution intended to modulate local skin immune response in allergic or inflammatory dermatoses of dogs.
Fast-drying — no greasy fur
Topical cyclosporine solution intended to modulate local skin immune response in allergic or inflammatory dermatoses of dogs.
Increased Safety & Security
Time-Saving Convenience
Atopica Topical Solution applies the cyclosporine modality in a localized topical form intended for targeted immunomodulation of affected skin areas in dogs, offering an option that limits systemic exposure compared with oral cyclosporine. Against other products in this list, it occupies a middle ground financially and technically—more specific than compounded generics and less costly and less systemically active than injectable biologics—benefiting from established veterinary brand distribution and formulation know-how.
Topical cyclosporine
Soothes inflammation
Fast-drying — no greasy fur
Topical cyclosporine solution intended to modulate local skin immune response in allergic or inflammatory dermatoses of dogs.
Typically applied to targeted lesions as directed by a veterinarian to reduce itching and inflammation with minimal systemic exposure.
Topical cyclosporine
Soothes inflammation
Fast-drying — no greasy fur
Topical cyclosporine solution intended to modulate local skin immune response in allergic or inflammatory dermatoses of dogs.
Typically applied to targeted lesions as directed by a veterinarian to reduce itching and inflammation with minimal systemic exposure.
$100-250 CAD
Tacrolimus 0.1% Compounded Ointment
Tacrolimus 0.1% compounded ointment is a higher-concentration, pharmacy-compounded alternative that provides customizable dosing and vehicle options for veterinarians managing focal or refractory canine dermatologic lesions. Its main advantages over branded lower-concentration tacrolimus (like Protopic) are dose flexibility and potential cost savings, but it lacks the large-scale regulatory approval and uniform batch quality of branded products, which can affect consistency and reimbursement.
Higher potency
Localized control
Higher potency
Localized control
Review Summary
"Compounded tacrolimus 0.1% ointment is frequently reported to give stronger, faster relief than lower strengths for some dogs, though irritation, variability between compounding pharmacies, and mixed long-term consistency are common remarks."
Precision dosing — micro-spot wizardry
Pharmacy-compounded tacrolimus 0.1% ointment for dogs needing higher topical potency than commercial formulations.
Precision dosing — micro-spot wizardry
Pharmacy-compounded tacrolimus 0.1% ointment for dogs needing higher topical potency than commercial formulations.
Increased Safety & Security
Time-Saving Convenience
Tacrolimus 0.1% compounded ointment is a higher-concentration, pharmacy-compounded alternative that provides customizable dosing and vehicle options for veterinarians managing focal or refractory canine dermatologic lesions. Its main advantages over branded lower-concentration tacrolimus (like Protopic) are dose flexibility and potential cost savings, but it lacks the large-scale regulatory approval and uniform batch quality of branded products, which can affect consistency and reimbursement.
Higher potency
Localized control
Precision dosing — micro-spot wizardry
Pharmacy-compounded tacrolimus 0.1% ointment for dogs needing higher topical potency than commercial formulations.
Used under veterinary supervision for refractory atopic dermatitis or immune-mediated skin disease with tailored dosing.
Higher potency
Localized control
Precision dosing — micro-spot wizardry
Pharmacy-compounded tacrolimus 0.1% ointment for dogs needing higher topical potency than commercial formulations.
Used under veterinary supervision for refractory atopic dermatitis or immune-mediated skin disease with tailored dosing.
$70-160 CAD
Cyclosporine 2% Ophthalmic Ointment
Cyclosporine 2% ophthalmic ointment is a specialized topical immunomodulator formulated for ocular surface conditions in dogs, designed to maximize corneal and conjunctival retention while minimizing systemic absorption. Compared with dermal topical agents, it is technically optimized for the eye and therefore occupies a niche, often premium-priced position in veterinary practice; it is not a direct substitute for broader-cutaneous topical therapies but complements the treatment portfolio for ocular immunologic disease.
Protects eyes
Reduces ocular inflammation
Protects eyes
Reduces ocular inflammation
Review Summary
"Cyclosporine 2% ophthalmic ointment is widely praised for improving tear production and comfort in dogs with dry eye (KCS), with most owners reporting clear benefit though some note occasional stinging and need for ongoing treatment."
Long-lasting lubricity — blink-friendly balm
Cyclosporine ophthalmic ointment formulated to treat canine keratoconjunctivitis sicca (dry eye) and ocular surface inflammation.
Long-lasting lubricity — blink-friendly balm
Cyclosporine ophthalmic ointment formulated to treat canine keratoconjunctivitis sicca (dry eye) and ocular surface inflammation.
Increased Safety & Security
Time-Saving Convenience
Cyclosporine 2% ophthalmic ointment is a specialized topical immunomodulator formulated for ocular surface conditions in dogs, designed to maximize corneal and conjunctival retention while minimizing systemic absorption. Compared with dermal topical agents, it is technically optimized for the eye and therefore occupies a niche, often premium-priced position in veterinary practice; it is not a direct substitute for broader-cutaneous topical therapies but complements the treatment portfolio for ocular immunologic disease.
Protects eyes
Reduces ocular inflammation
Long-lasting lubricity — blink-friendly balm
Cyclosporine ophthalmic ointment formulated to treat canine keratoconjunctivitis sicca (dry eye) and ocular surface inflammation.
Applied to the affected eye(s) as directed, commonly once or twice daily, to improve tear production and ocular health.
Protects eyes
Reduces ocular inflammation
Long-lasting lubricity — blink-friendly balm
Cyclosporine ophthalmic ointment formulated to treat canine keratoconjunctivitis sicca (dry eye) and ocular surface inflammation.
Applied to the affected eye(s) as directed, commonly once or twice daily, to improve tear production and ocular health.
$60-150 CAD
Lokivetmab Injectable Solution
Lokivetmab (Cytopoint) injectable solution is a monoclonal antibody targeting a key pruritus mediator and is the market-leading systemic option for controlling canine itch due to its robust clinical data and long duration of effect from infrequent dosing. While not a topical immunomodulator, it is included here as a market leader in veterinary immunotherapy: its technical advantages include predictable systemic control and strong owner compliance, but those benefits come with higher per-dose cost compared with topical products.
Rapid itch relief
Long-lasting dose
Rapid itch relief
Long-lasting dose
Review Summary
"Lokivetmab (Cytopoint) injectable solution is highly rated by dog owners for rapid, substantial itch relief and minimal side effects, with many reporting dramatic, repeatable improvements lasting weeks per injection."
One-shot comfort — couch-approved nap
Lokivetmab (Cytopoint) is a canine monoclonal antibody injected subcutaneously to neutralize IL-31 and rapidly reduce itch.
One-shot comfort — couch-approved nap
Lokivetmab (Cytopoint) is a canine monoclonal antibody injected subcutaneously to neutralize IL-31 and rapidly reduce itch.
Increased Safety & Security
Time-Saving Convenience
Lokivetmab (Cytopoint) injectable solution is a monoclonal antibody targeting a key pruritus mediator and is the market-leading systemic option for controlling canine itch due to its robust clinical data and long duration of effect from infrequent dosing. While not a topical immunomodulator, it is included here as a market leader in veterinary immunotherapy: its technical advantages include predictable systemic control and strong owner compliance, but those benefits come with higher per-dose cost compared with topical products.
Rapid itch relief
Long-lasting dose
One-shot comfort — couch-approved nap
Lokivetmab (Cytopoint) is a canine monoclonal antibody injected subcutaneously to neutralize IL-31 and rapidly reduce itch.
Administered by a veterinarian every 4–8 weeks depending on dog size and clinical response for maintenance control.
Rapid itch relief
Long-lasting dose
One-shot comfort — couch-approved nap
Lokivetmab (Cytopoint) is a canine monoclonal antibody injected subcutaneously to neutralize IL-31 and rapidly reduce itch.
Administered by a veterinarian every 4–8 weeks depending on dog size and clinical response for maintenance control.
$100-300 CAD