If you ’ve get an itchy barker , Apoquel just might be the life - changing medicament that your effective booster needs .

If your frump has allergies that make her itchy , then you are all too familiar with the routine : Constantscratching and manduction . crimson , riled cutis . Frequenttrips to the vetfor treatment that may or may not assist . Repeat . It ’s heavy to view your pup experience this kind of discomfort .

Enter Apoquel for dogs , a veterinary drug that can relieve itching due to allergy . Like most drugs , Apoquel has some side effects in dogs , but they are typically milder than the side force of other drugs used for allergic reaction . If you have an itchy frump , here ’s how Apoquel can help .

dog sleeping on owner’s lap

Photo: Anita Kot / Getty

What Is Apoquel for Dogs?

Apoquel is the brand name of oclacitinib , a dog medication designed to relieve itching colligate withallergies in dogs , particularly canine atopic dermatitis . Unlike some otherallergy medicines for dogs , Apoquel is neither a steroid hormone ( likeprednisone ) nor an antihistamine ( likediphenhydramine ) . Instead , Apoquel is a selective Janus kinase inhibitor and the first of its kind on the veterinary market . Apoquel is made byZoetis .

Janus kinase ( JAK ) are enzymes that work with protein called cytokines to signalise the dead body ’s cells to facilitate essential bodily function , including immunity , the production of blood cells and platelets , inflammation , and pruritus ( itchiness ) . Apoquel selectively inhibits the cytokine involved in supersensitized reaction with relatively minimum impingement on the immune arrangement and rip cell production .

Apoquel Uses in Dogs

Apoquel is often prescribed by veterinary surgeon for treat allergies in frankfurter because it tends to have milder side effect compared to steroids and immunosuppressive drug like prednisone and cyclosporine . It can start up act to thin itchiness in as fiddling as four to 24 hours .

I used to have a dog with seasonal allergy . There were times when Chloe would keep me up all Nox with chewing and scratching and my ticker broke for her woe . We tried every medication uncommitted at the time and gave her regular medicated baths to soothe her hide , but we could just scarce keep her itching at true laurel during flare - ups . Many years after she cross the rainbow bridge ( at the ripe honest-to-goodness years of 17 ) , Apoquel emerged on the veterinary market . As I watch this drug provide relief to so many of my fidgety patient role , all I could remember of was my poor Chloe . If only we had Apoquel back then !

If you have an itchy dog , it ’s deserving make aconversation with your vetto determine if Apoquel is a sound option .

Apoquel Side Effects in Dogs

All medications have likely side effects , and Apoquel is no different . Dogs on Apoquel may feel the chase :

Gastrointestinal side effects are the most common in blackguard and may be relieved by pass the medication with food . Your veterinarian may advocate mundane ancestry tests to see if Apoquel is impacting roue mobile phone production or organ function . Apoquel may make some dogs more prone to infection because of its outcome on immune mapping . It can also worsen cancerous tumors and should not be used in dogs with a history of cancer .

Apoquel Dosage for Dogs

Apoquel is usable as an unwritten tab in three strengths : 3.6 , 5.6 , and 16 mg . The recommended dose range is 0.18 to 0.27 mg per British pound , so the smorgasbord of strong point makes precise dosing sluttish for dogs of most sizes . Zoetis provides veteran with a convenientdosing chartas a guideline . Your veterinarian will urge the appropriate dosage for your dog based on her body weight and medical history .

Apoquel should be given orallyto your frump as a pilltwice day by day for the first 14 Clarence Day , then reduced to once daily for alimony . It may be yield with or without food , but giving it with intellectual nourishment may reduce the chances of GI side outcome . Apoquel can be used long - term at care battery-acid or seasonally as take . Unlike steroid , it can be stopped without sharpen .

Some dog will react well to the initial higher Lucy in the sky with diamonds , but experience itch again when the dose is reduce to criminal maintenance story . Your vet can define how to align the dose from here , but recollective - term treatment at eminent disk operating system is not in the main recommended . Do not exchange your dog ’s Apoquel dose without first consulting your vet .

Many vets and veterinary dermatologists prescribe Apoquel along with other treatments to manage allergic reaction in dogs . Your sensitized frank may receive topical , injectable , or other unwritten medicinal drug along with Apoquel . The initial two - week point of higher dose render superscript itch ease while other treatments can set off catch to play at the source of the itching .

Can Dogs Overdose on Apoquel?

It is possible for dogs to o.d. on Apoquel , so keep it and all other medications out of reach of your dog . Contact a veterinarian for advice aright away if your dog take in more Apoquel than order . Call your local vet or animal emergency nub , or contact a pet toxicant control service likeASPCA Animal Poison ControlorPet Poison Helpline . The vet may tell you toinduce vomitingif the overdose take place within the last 60 minutes . Your dog will in all probability want veterinary treatments and supportive attention to preclude toxic effects and to manage symptoms .

Apoquel (Oclacitinib) Drug Interactions and Warnings

Apoquel is conceive safe to use along with some medications like antihistamines , antibiotics , and NSAIDs . Some medications should be used with caveat , such as steroids and immunosuppressive drugs .

Apoquel is intended for hound age 12 month and old . Its safety has not been evaluated inpregnantor breast feeding dogs . Apoquel should not be commit to dogs with a chronicle of cancer .

Be sure to recount your vet about all other medicine and supplements your dog is accept before starting Apoquel . In addition , thoroughly discuss your dog ’s medical account with your vet .