The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not placed any time restrictions on the use of APOQUEL. You can continue to treat your dog with APOQUEL for as long as your veterinarian recommends. In studies, dogs were treated with APOQUEL for more than 2 years.
Can I give my Dog Apoquel?
Apoquel is an anti-allergy drug that’s often prescribed by vets. It’s touted as being “a fast-acting and safe treatment for the control of acute and chronic canine pruritus.” Pruritus means itching. When your dog is itchy, you get desperate to make him feel more comfortable. Nobody wants to be itchy and constantly scratching.
Can Apoquel be used to treat pruritus in dogs?
Pruritus means itching. When your dog is itchy, you get desperate to make him feel more comfortable. Nobody wants to be itchy and constantly scratching. Apoquel can ease your dog’s itching in as little as 4 to 24 hours. Dog owners do say it relieves their dogs’ itching.
How many dogs have been euthanized from Apoquel?
Zoetis, Apoquel’s manufacturer, conducted a long-term (two year) study examining 247 dogs and the side effects of Apoquel they experienced. Of the 247 dogs studied, 26 were removed for unknown reasons and 18 were euthanized.
Is Apoquel safe for long-term use?
The manufacturer quotes a study that says it is safe for long-term use … but the study results say something different. 1 dog got euthanized after 450 days of Apoquel. The dog had developed abdominal ascites and pleural effusion of unknown etiology.
Can you suddenly stop Apoquel?
For dogs, there is a new product on the market called Apoquel, that is successful in treating acute and chronic skin allergies. Unlike steroids, (that patients must be weaned off slowly over a number of weeks), Apoquel can be stopped suddenly then restarted again at a lower dose.
Can a dog have withdrawal from Apoquel?
Your dog is not likely to experience any sort of withdrawal symptoms when she gets off of Apoquel, but the likelihood for her allergy symptoms to reappear is high within hours of stopping the Apoquel.”
What happens if my dog stops taking Apoquel?
If Apoquel works for your dog, symptoms should subside as long as he's on the drug. Unfortunately, if and when you stop giving Apoquel to your dog, his itchiness and inflammation will return.
How long does it take for Apoquel to get out of a dog's system?
Apoquel works rapidly, usually within 24 hours, to diminish itching. It is very rare to have GI upsets with Apoquel like we can see with cyclosporine. The antipruritic effects of the Apoquel wear off quickly, within 12-24 hours, so the medication needs to be given daily in most cases.
What is a natural alternative to Apoquel?
Yucca and quercetin are also great natural alternatives to Apoquel. Yucca has an effect similar to steroid drugs without the harmful side effects. Quercetin is a plant derivative that acts as a natural antihistamine and is a great option for dogs whose itching is reduced by Benadryl.
How do you wean off allergy medicine?
In general, wean gradually by 25-50% of the daily dose every 1-4 weeks. If reason for deprescribing is serious adverse effects, wean faster or cease immediately. Provide advice to patient/carer on self-monitoring and what to do if symptoms re-occur.
Does Apoquel shorten a dog's life?
A safety study by Apoquel manufacturer Zoetis reported there were no fatalities and abnormal health events in a 28 day study. But abnormal health events were reported in 11 of 179 dogs post-study.
Can I give my dog Benadryl instead of Apoquel?
Many pet owners use Benadryl to treat their dogs' atopic dermatitis instead of Apoquel. Benadryl (generic name Diphenhydramine) is a staple in most home medicine cabinets and first-aid kits. Due to this, it is sometimes more convenient to stop an itch than other medications.
How bad is Apoquel for dogs?
Do not use APOQUEL in dogs less than 12 months of age or those with serious infections. APOQUEL may increase the chances of developing serious infections, and may cause existing parasitic skin infestations or pre- existing cancers to get worse.
What can I use instead of Apoquel?
Alternatives to Apoquel include Cytopoint® injections, Atopica® pills, Temaril-P® pills, prednisone and other corticosteroids. Immunotherapy injections, allergen avoidance and frequent bathing are effective non-drug alternatives. An upgraded diet, fish oil and lifestyle modification to decrease stress can also help.
Can Apoquel be given as needed?
It may be given with or without food, but giving it with food may reduce the chances of GI side effects. Apoquel can be used long-term at maintenance doses or seasonally as needed. Unlike steroids, it can be stopped without tapering.
Which is better Apoquel or Benadryl?
Not only is it safe, but it also doesn't need a hefty dosage to be effective. Essentially your dog can use it and stop it without any withdrawal symptoms. If your furry friend has any long-standing allergies that affect them occasionally or throughout the year, then Apoquel is by far the better option.
How long does it take for a dog to be euthanized after taking Apoquel?
Here are some of the serious side effects noted: 1 dog got euthanized after 450 days of Apoquel. The dog had developed abdominal ascites and pleural effusion of unknown etiology. This means that he had a fluid-filled abdomen and chest. They euthanized another 6 dogs because of suspected malignant neoplasms.
Why is Jak2 important for dogs?
And it’s needed to destroy invading parasites, fungi, bacteria and viruses. JAK2 is central to the production of bone marrow stem cells. These cells then become red and white blood cells and platelets. Your dog’s antibody system (B cells) and its killer-cell system (T cells) need JAK3 to work properly.
Why is cyclosporine used in dogs?
Cyclosporine was initially developed to prevent organ transplant rejections in humans. It suppresses the immune system to prevent the body from rejecting the transplant.
Is Apoquel safe for dogs?
Apoquel is touted as being “a fast-acting and safe treatment for the control of acute and chronic canine pruritus.”. Pruritus means itching. When your dog is itchy, you get desperate to make him feel more comfortable. Nobody wants to be itchy and constantly scratching.
Is atopica still used in dogs?
You can read more about Atopica and my concerns here. Unfortunately, Atopica is still used today for some dogs. This is alarming … the FDA has 17 pages of adverse events for Atopica in dogs!
Can an allergic dog become non-allergic?
This turns the allergic dog into a non-allergic dog . Allergy elimination techniques reboot, harmonize and revitalize your pet’s immune system responses. It corrects the immune system … so it behaves properly and doesn’t overreact. Some pets will need a direct consultation to assess and go over long term skin problems.
Does Apoquel cause cancer in dogs?
APOQUEL may increase the chances of developing serious infections, and may cause existing parasitic skin infestations or pre-existing cancers to get worse.”. In the 12-month old dogs the symptoms likely related to Apoquel included: Papillomas (warts) Interdigital furunculosis (cysts) with related dermatitis symptoms.
How long does it take for a dog to stop itching from a syringe?
The drug can reduce itching in as little as 12 hours. Recommended Dosage. Note:Never give this medicine to your dog without the approval of your vet, and always follow the exact recommendations of your vet.
How to give a dog a syringe?
To safely use this medicine, we recommend following these guidelines: 1 Never use without veterinary approval 2 Contact the vet right away if your dog shows symptoms of fever or pneumonia, or develops growths or skin changes 3 Give with food when possible to help reduce the vomiting risk 4 Do not give to dogs that are under 1 year of age or suffering from a serious infection, or to dogs who are breeding/pregnant/nursing 5 Do not give Apoquel with any other medicines/supplements without approval from the vet
How to help a dog with vomiting?
Contact the vet right away if your dog shows symptoms of fever or pneumonia, or develops growths or skin changes. Give with food when possible to help reduce the vomiting risk. Do not give to dogs that are under 1 year of age or suffering from a serious infection, or to dogs who are breeding/pregnant/nursing.
Can you take cyclosporine with other medications?
Information from the sponsor states that the medicine has been used safely with other common medicines such as NSAIDs, antibiotics, vaccines, anticonvulsants, dewormers, and other drugs commonly used to treat skin conditions (e.g. cyclosporine or corticosteroids), but you should still double check with your vet.
Is Apoquel safe for dogs?
There is not yet much information about the safety of Apoquel, but it seems to be low risk for short-term use, as well as effective. The manufacturer also cites a study which claims that the drug produced minimal side effects in dogs who were treated for 2 years. Apart from this, we know that the medicine:
Short-Term Pharmaceutical
Recurrence of Symptoms
- The recurrence of symptoms is the reason we are seeing dogs on Apoquel for life. What was meant to be short-term relief while veterinarians and other professionals determine the underlying problem has become a lifelong addition to their routine. Unfortunately, this comes with side effects. The longer your dog is taking Apoquel, the higher the likelihood for them to develop seri…
Transition to Natural Remedies
- Apoquel, like most other allergy medications, doesn’t reach the root of the problem. As noted before, once Apoquel is stopped, the problem will return. Before discussing ways to help the allergy symptoms, I always stress the importance of finding the route of the problem! Check out this blogall about finding your dogs allergy source. If your dog has an allergic reaction to the env…
Transition to CBD
- CBD and the other compounds found in a full-spectrum hemp extract, like the EASE tincture, are well-known for bringing the body back to balance. There are many cannabinoid receptors throughout the body that control our dog’s immune system. Instead of turning off the immune response, like many pharmaceuticals do, CBD opens up the communication pathwaybetween ce…
Final Thoughts
- If you are considering taking your dog off of Apoquel, you don’t have to worry about withdrawal effects, but should be prepared for her allergic reaction/symptoms to return since she will no longer have an ‘allergy blocker’ for a period of time. To learn more about the transition to CBD, and other natural therapies, you can schedule a consultation ...
Recommended Dosage
Is It Safe?
- There is not yet much information about the safety of Apoquel, but it seems to be low risk for short-term use, as well as effective. The manufacturer also cites a study which claims that the drug produced minimal side effects in dogs who were treated for 2 years. Apart from this, we know that the medicine: Can reduce immune system function – This can mean your dog is mor…
Safety Guidelines
- To safely use this medicine, we recommend following these guidelines: 1. Never use without veterinary approval 2. Contact the vet right away if your dog shows symptoms of fever or pneumonia, or develops growths or skin changes 3. Give with food when possible to help reduce the vomiting risk 4. Do not give to dogs that are under 1 year of age or suf...
What Is It Used for?
- Apoquel is used to reduce the symptoms of allergic/atopic dermatitis, which includes itching and inflammation.
Side Effects
- Not much is yet known about the adverse effects of this medicine, but the following effects are possible: Most Common 1. Diarrhea 2. Vomiting Others 1. Loss of appetite 2. Increased thirst 3. Fatigue 4. Increased susceptibility to infection 5. Skin disorders 6. Growths (neoplasia) Overdose: In one study, where dogs were given 1.36 mg/lb twice daily for 6 weeks (and then once daily for …