My vet put my dog on Apoquel.  What does that mean?

As we all know, occassional itching is a fact of life for dogs.

However allergies (fleas, environmental, food and contact) and the condition of your dogs skin (infection, dryness, oilyness) may sometimes cause more frequent or constant itching and scratching, with changes in skin colouration, changes to body odor and hair loss indicating a serious condition in your dog.

So what does all of this mean? Don’t fret….In Australia, itchy skin, or pruritus, is one of the most common presenting symptoms seen at veterinary clinics.

If your veterinarian has recommended APOQUEL to help control your dogs itch, your dog has been diagnosed with an allergic skin disease. 

So What Is Apoquel?

Firstly Apoquel is NOT a steroid (cortisone), antihistamine or cyclosporine.

Apoquel is a fast-acting and safe itch relief so your dog and you can return to normal.  It provides fast, long term relief from itch and inflammation without many of the side effects associated with some other treatments.*

Apoquel is an immunomodulatory drug (modulates the immune system); a unique class of medication that specifically targets the activity of cytokines (checmicals that the body produces when exposed to an allergen) that are involved in the stimulation of itch and inflammation.

Apoquel blocks the cycle of inflammation and itch that these cytokines trigger.

Apoquel also has anti-inflammatory properties and doesn’t compromise diagnostic testing while your vet is trying to determine the underlying cause of your dogs itching.

What Can I Expect When My Dog Receives Apoquel?

• Fast Relief – Apoquel starts to relieve the itch within 4 hours and effectively controls the itch within 24 hours**
• Unique treatment – Unlike other treatments, Apoquel targets a key itch signal in the nervous system and has minimal negative impact on the immune system. If you can block t he trigger, you can block the itch.
• Apoquel also allows your veterinarian to continue to diagnose the underlying cause of the itch while providing your dog with relief.

How To Give Apoquel To My Dog

Apoquel comes in a convenient tablet form and can be administered with or without food.

Administration procedures:

• Apoquel can be given to your dog twice daily for up to 14 days
• After 14 days Apoquel just needs to be administered once daily

Your vet will prescribe a specific dosing regime for your dog.

When your dog moves from twice a day dosing to once a day dosing, some owners may notice a slight increase in itching. This itching is short lived so maintain the dosing as prescribed by your vet.

And remember, if the itching becomes serious again, consult your vet.

What Should I Do If I Miss A Dose of Apoquel?

If you miss a does of Apoquel, give it again as soon as you remember.  If it’s almost time for the next dose, skip the one you missed and go back to the regular schedule.  Do not give two doses at once.

Are There Any Side Effects When Taking Apoquel?

As with any medication, there are side effects associated with using Apoquel. These include:

• Diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Anorexia
• Decreased leukocytes
• Increased lipase and cholesterol
• New cutaneous or subcutaneous lumps
• Lethargy
• Decreased globulins

In many instances, most of the listed detrimental side effects eventually disappear on their own.

Furthermore, these side effects are very similar to the effects that a dog would experience if they were taking steroids. Steroids are classified as anti-inflammatory drugs that help treat mild inflammatory conditions.

Can My Dog Receive Regular Vaccines And Take Flea, Tick and Wormer Preventatives While Taking Apoquel?

YES, you don’t have to stop their other medications. Apoquel works fine with antibiotics, vaccines and parasiticides (flea & tick preventatives).

How and Where Should I Store Apoquel?

Store Apoquel at a controlled room temperature between 20-25°C and keep out of reach from children.

Who Should Not Take Apoquel?

• Not for use in animals hypersensitive (allergic) to oclacitinib.
• Not for use in dogs under 12 months of age, or weighing less than 2.9kgs.
• Not for use in breeding, pregnant or lactating dogs.
• Apoquel is not labeled for use in cats.

Apoquel – A Stop Itch Treatment Option For Your Dog

No one likes to see their dog constantly itching. It doesn’t matter if your dog is suffering from atopic dermatitis, food allergies, or anything else, itching tends to only make the condition worse.

Like all medications, choosing to use Apoquel is a matter of weighing up your dog’s quality of life in the short term and the long term, and trying to make the best choice for your own pet.

Apoquel may be the itch solution your dog needs. It stops your dog’s itch fast however finding and eliminating the source of your dog’s skin allergies is the best long term solution.

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