When it comes to the health and well-being of our beloved four-legged companions, we all want to ensure that we are providing them with the best care and treatment possible. Unfortunately, when it comes to certain ailments and conditions, the safest and most effective treatment may not always be the most obvious. Apoquel is a relatively new drug used to treat certain types of allergies in dogs, but is it safe to use long term? In this blog post, we will be exploring the potential risks and benefits associated with using Apoquel for extended periods of time in order to better understand the safety considerations for our four-legged friends. We will review the possible side effects, recommended dosage, and other important information that pet owners should be aware of before making a decision about treatment. By understanding the risks and benefits associated with Apoquel and other drug treatments, pet owners can make an informed decision that is best for their pet’s health and safety.
What Is Apoquel?
Apoquel is an anti-allergy drug that’s often prescribed by vets. It is marketed as “a fast-acting and secure treatment for the management of acute and chronic canine pruritus.” ” Pruritus means itching. You become desperate to provide your dog with relief when he is itchy. Nobody wants to be itchy and constantly scratching.
In as little as 4 to 24 hours, a dose of this medication can reduce your dog’s allergic itch. And dog owners claim that the medication does work to stop their dogs’ itching. Apoquel for dogs seems like something you might want to try.
But hold on, Apoquel destroys vital components of your dog’s internal disease-fighting systems.
What is Apoquel & how does it work?
Oclacitinib (Apoquel) is an FDA-approved immune suppressant drug. It is used to treat dogs with allergic or atopic dermatitis who have pruritus, which is medical speak for “itchy skin.”
Itching, to put it simply, is the body’s immune response to things like allergies, insect bites, or skin conditions. The immune response is stopped by Apoquel, which lessens your dog’s itching.
However, Apoquel also hinders your dog’s ability to perform other crucial immune functions, such as fending off infections. More on that shortly .
Apoquel tablets are available by prescription only. They come in three doses: 3. 6mg, 5. 4mg and 16mg. Recommended dosing is based on your pet’s weight.
According to sciencedirect. com, “The efficacy was 66% in studies of dogs with atopic dermatitis and 49% in studies with allergic dermatitis, as assessed by pet owners and veterinarians, respectively. Apoquel was also demonstrated to have the same impact on dogs as prednisolone.
UW Veterinary Care, University of Wisconsin-Madison stated: “Our experience suggests that it [Apoquel] works great in around 50%, partially in around 30%, and poorly in 20% of dogs.”
In a 2013 information sheet, Zoetis, the pet-specific subsidiary of Pfizer and the makers of Apoquel, stated:
Without many of the side effects associated with some other treatments, Apoquel offers quick, long-lasting relief from itching and inflammation. ”.
“Apoquel gives your dog relief while enabling your vet to continue identifying the underlying cause of itching,” ”.
“Apoquel targets a critical nervous system itch signal and has barely any adverse effects on the immune system,” ”.
What Are Potential Apoquel Side Effects in Dogs?
Every drug has the potential to cause side effects, and Apoquel is no exception. The following side effects could occur in all or some dogs taking Apoquel:
Dogs most frequently experience gastrointestinal side effects, which may be alleviated by administering the drug along with food. To determine whether Apoquel is affecting blood cell production or organ function, your veterinarian may advise routine blood tests. Because of how it affects immune system function, apoquel may make some dogs more susceptible to infections. It should not be used in dogs who have a history of cancer because it can exacerbate cancerous tumors.
Apoquel is available as an oral tablet in three strengths: 3.6, 5.6, and 16 milligrams. The recommended dose range is 0.18 to 0.27 milligrams per pound, so the variety of strengths makes accurate dosing easy for dogs of most sizes. Zoetis provides vets with a convenient dosing chart as a guideline. Your veterinarian will recommend the appropriate dosage for your dog based on her body weight and medical history.
Your dog should be given a pill form of Apoquel orally for the first 14 days, then once daily for maintenance. It may be administered with or without food, but doing so may lessen the likelihood of GI side effects. Long-term maintenance dosages of apoquel or seasonal as-needed use are both options. Unlike steroids, it can be stopped without tapering.
When the dose is reduced to maintenance levels, some dogs will respond well to the initial higher doses but itch once more. Your veterinarian can decide how to change the dosage from here, but prolonged use of higher doses is typically not advised. Never alter your dog’s Apoquel dosage without first consulting a veterinarian.
To treat canine allergies, many veterinarians and veterinary dermatologists recommend Apoquel in addition to other medications. Along with Apoquel, your allergic dog may also receive topical, injectable, or other oral medications. While other treatments can begin to relieve the itching at its source, the first two weeks of higher dosages offer superior itch relief.
Apoquel can cause an overdose in dogs, so keep it and all other medications out of your dog’s reach. If your dog consumes more Apoquel than recommended, call a vet immediately for advice. Contact a pet poison control service like ASPCA Animal Poison Control or Pet Poison Helpline, or call your neighborhood veterinarian or animal emergency center. If the overdose happened within the previous hour, the veterinarian might advise you to induce vomiting. To manage symptoms and prevent toxic effects, your dog will probably require veterinary care.
FAQ
Can I give my dog Apoquel forever?
Long-term maintenance dosages of apoquel or seasonal as-needed use are both options. Unlike steroids, it can be stopped without tapering. When the dose is reduced to maintenance levels, some dogs will respond well to the initial higher doses but itch once more.
How long should a dog take Apoquel?
Apoquel, a fast-acting and secure itch relief medication for dogs, begins to soothe allergic dog itch within four hours and eliminates it within twenty-four. Up to 14 days of twice-daily Apoquel administration is followed by one daily dose of maintenance therapy.
Is there a natural alternative to Apoquel for dogs?
Yucca and quercetin are also great natural alternatives to Apoquel. Yucca has a similar impact to steroid medications without the negative side effects. For dogs whose itching is relieved by Benadryl, a plant derivative called quercetin works as a natural antihistamine and is a great alternative.
Can I give Apoquel to my dog every other day?
Since Apoquel’s antipruritic effects are short-lived (12–24 hours), most patients must take the medication every day. Dosing/Administration: The dose of Apoquel is 0. 4-0. For up to 14 days, 6 mg/kg every 12 hours, and then 0 4-0. 6 mg/kg once daily thereafter.