Just read this message. Is it possible that we are now in a position to aid these poor dogs?
“I have a Westie with atopic dermatitis. Have just started on Cytopoint – 2nd injection last week. First one lasted 6 weeks. on several Facebook groups, along with other Westie members, have been defamed. I was told last week, “Well, it’s up to you if you want your dog to become blind. ”.
After 5 years my boy has found relief. Tried Atopica and Apoquel. Lots of steroids and antibiotics. Diet. Raw. Grain free. Hypoallergenic. Elimination. Malaseb. Baking soda. Iodine. Tee Tree oil. Oatmeal shampoo and conditioner. Sox. Bootees. Sandals. Onesies. Everything except the cone of shame. ”.
Cytopoint is undoubtedly a significant advancement, and incidents like this are actually occurring. But a vet must be critical as well, just like with any new product.
The most recent treatment for canine skin allergies is Cytopoint® or lokivetmab. It’s a monoclonal antibody designed to bind and deactivate IL-31, a messenger involved in inflammation. Dogs with atopic dermatitis have high levels of this cytokine, but healthy dogs do not. It is the first medication of its kind ever developed for use in animals.
Every four weeks, a skin injection of Cytopoint is administered. It cannot be administered orally because the gut will destroy it, just like any protein or peptide. But once administered, it remains in the bloodstream for a very long time.
The market for canine atopic dermatitis medications is becoming pleasantly crowded, and Cytopoint is the newest entry. The majority of dog itching remedies have already been covered here, but let’s contrast a few similar ones.
Similar to Cytopoint, the medication Apoquel® inhibits the production of IL-31 rather than just blocking its activity. However, in addition it blocks four other inflammatory cytokines. As a result, even though Apoquel may be more effective for some types of inflammation, it is also less specific.
Less specific medications typically have higher rates of side effects, and we have also found that to be the case. Although Cytopoint is still superior to what came before, Apoquel is significantly safer than it was.
Apoquel is also much shorter-acting. The medication should only be administered once daily, but my dog Loki was a typical case in that it had an early onset of side effects. I switched him to Cytopoint once he arrived for both effectiveness and safety reasons.
There is no need to switch if your dog is already responding favorably to Apoquel. It’s usually effective and well-tolerated. You can read more about Apoquel’s side effects, price, and dosage here.
The medication Atopica® was once the best available, but that was a very long time ago. Nowadays, if all else had failed, I would only try it on an atopic dog. Read more about Atopica here.
The negative effects of an immunosuppressive are also more significant. It commonly causes vomiting, plus gum and coat changes. Atopica will continue to be a very effective treatment for many autoimmune diseases. Of course, if it’s helping your atopic dog, there’s no need to change it if it’s working well.
Ironically, prednisolone was not charged against the poor woman who was initially accused of hurting her dog with Cytopoint. Although the good ol’ “pred” has always played a significant role in veterinary medicine, that doesn’t mean it is safe.
Prednisolone and prednisone are synthetic analogues of the hormone cortisol that have a stronger anti-inflammatory effect, according to the USA. Corticosteroids like these are very effective at controlling itch. Prednisolone may be beneficial for your dog for the following reasons:
Side Effects & Safety Of Cytopoint
An advantage of using antibodies as medicine is that they are extremely specific and already present in the body. This means we expect minimal side effects. So far, this seems to be true for Cytopoint.
Possible side effects include:
It honestly would surprise me if there were any additional safety concerns. Be extremely cautious when people claim correlations or associations without providing evidence (like blindness!). If you’re interested in reading more, I wrote about a similar safety discussion with Bravecto.
Cost is probably a bigger drawback for most people.
The response will depend on how your veterinarian decides to set up their fees. For dogs weighing 3 kg to 40 kg, Cytopoint injections are priced between $111 and $130 in our Adelaide clinic. There will, however, be a consultation fee each time because the first two injections must be administered by a veterinarian.
Once we are confident that it is the best course of action for your dog, a nurse can administer additional injections to lower the cost.
Following a Cytopoint injection, the itching should go away in 24 hours and return gradually between 4 and 8 weeks later. In order to achieve the greatest impact, Cytopoint is registered for 4-weekly injections.
Some dogs respond well, but they do not experience relief for four weeks. I advise testing whether the effect will last longer with additional doses for these.
I am happy for good responders if an owner waits to come in again until they can see the effects of the injection wearing off. The wearing off is gradual and reasonably harmless. Future injections can then be administered just before the itch would typically have returned.
I must emphasize that since this is an off-label use of Cytopoint, side effects and effectiveness may differ from what is currently known.
What is Apoquel and why is it one of today’s more popular treatment options for allergic itch?
The nonsteroidal and quick-acting nature of the oral medication Apoquel is one of its benefits. Specific cytokines (proteins) that cause itch and inflammation are what Apoquel targets. It comes in tablet form, is taken every day, and lasts for 24 hours. Dogs under the age of one, those who are breeding, pregnant, or nursing cannot use Apoquel. Although Apoquel side effects are said to be uncommon (less than 1 dog out of 10,000 treated), they could include nausea, diarrhea, lethargy, anorexia, or changes in blood tests. Other common medications, including antibiotics, parasiticides, and vaccinations, can be safely taken with Apoquel. Your veterinarian can decide whether Apoquel might be appropriate for your pet with your input.
How will my vet know what itch treatment plan is right for my scratching pet?
Years ago, topical creams, antihistamines, benadryl, and steroids were frequently used to treat pruritus (the medical term for itch), but modern treatments can be more efficient, long-lasting, and free of steroids’ unfavorable side effects. Today’s medications—both oral and injectable—are made to target the body’s immune response, which results in swelling and redness in addition to relieving itching.
FAQ
Does Cytopoint have to be given by a vet?
Apoquel (oral) and Cytopoint injections are two well-liked treatments that offer long-lasting relief from skin allergies. Only a veterinarian can prescribe them, and only they can decide which course of action is best for your pet.
Who can administer Cytopoint?
Your veterinarian administers Cytopoint, a tiny, painless injection similar to a vaccination, under your dog’s skin. The itch typically goes away a few days after the injection, and the effect lasts for four to eight weeks.
Can you do Cytopoint at home?
Only a veterinarian should be trusted to administer the prescription drug Cytopoint.
Can you give your dog allergy shots?
When it comes to environmental allergies, dogs can receive immunotherapy through allergy shots. In fact, one of the best ways to treat dog allergies is with allergy shots. Thanks to allergy shots, up to 80% of dogs will experience a great deal of relief.