Similarly to the side effect of weight gain seen in humans on JAK inhibitors,
I have seen weight gain in dogs on Apoquel, not to the degree seen with steroids
. I have not had owners report an increased appetite. Perhaps they are getting less exercise from not scratching as much.
Does Apoquel affect appetite?
Apoquel remains in a patient's body for only a short time after it is administered. If we suspect that a dog has a symptom like
loss of appetite
, vomiting, diarrhea, or increased thirst due to Apoquel, discontinuing the medication should bring about a rapid resolution of the problem.
What are the side effects of Apoquel have on dogs?
- Vomiting.
- Diarrhea.
- Lethargy.
- Decreased appetite.
- Bloodwork changes (especially decreased blood cell counts)
- Increased risk of infections (UTI, skin, respiratory, demodectic mange)
- Exacerbation of existing tumors/cancer.
Does Apoquel cause increased appetite?
Why is Apoquel Better than Corticosteroids
Corticosteroids can cause polydipsia (increased thirst), polyurea (increased urination),
polyphagia (increased hunger)
, and organ damage when used long term or at high doses. While there are Apoquel side effects, they do not include potential organ damage.
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. These include: 1 dog got euthanized after 450 days of the drug.
Which is better Apoquel or Cytopoint?
The main difference is the method of administration.
Cytopoint is an, on average, once a month injection into the skin. Apoquel, on the other hand, requires daily oral dosing
. Additionally, Cytopoint was specifically created to target itch associated with atopic (environmental) allergies.
Is Apoquel and Benadryl the same?
This ingredient works to prevent and curb the inflammatory reaction, particularly for the itching sensation.
The main difference between Apoquel and Benadryl, among other allergy medications for dogs, is that it is distinctly an Immunomodulator rather than an antihistamine
.
How long should a dog take Apoquel?
HOW LONG CAN MY DOG USE APOQUEL? 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.
Why do you have to wash your hands after handling Apoquel?
Humans should make sure to wash their hands thoroughly after handling Apoquel tablets.
Apoquel is not a steroid, and so the list of possible side effects is much shorter compared to steroid drugs like prednisone
.
How long does it take for Apoquel to work?
Apoquel starts relieving allergic dog itch
within 4 hours
— and controls it within 24 hours. Apoquel is given twice daily, for up to 14 days, and then once daily for maintenance therapy.
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.
Can I just stop giving my dog Apoquel?
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
.
What is the best anti itch medicine for dogs?
- Healers Hot Spot Relief Hydrocortisone Dog & Cat Ointment. …
- Vet's Best Moisture Mist Conditioner for Dogs. …
- Vetnique Labs Dermabliss Hydrocortisone Spray Anti-Itch & Allergy Relief Soothing Medicated Dog & Cat Spray. …
- Dr. …
- Wondercide Skin Tonic Itch + Allergy Relief Dog & Cat Spray.
Is Apoquel expensive?
The lowest price for 100 tablets of Apoquel 16mg at accredited international online pharmacies is $228.99
.
Can you mix Benadryl with Apoquel for dogs?
Common antihistamines like Benadryl and Apoquel are
safe to be used together
.
Does Apoquel help with hot spots?
Cases where I prescribe Apoquel® include dogs over 12 months with first-time allergic or atopic dermatitis, during the diagnostic workup to provide itch relief,
in dogs with hot spots due to allergic dermatitis
along with antibiotics, or as a long-term treatment for chronic allergic or atopic dermatitis.
What drugs should not be taken with Apoquel?
You should not give the following drugs at the same time as Apoquel® without consulting your veterinarian:
cortisone-type medications or Atopica®
. Does my dog need to have any tests run before starting Apoquel® treatment? As long as your dog is in good health otherwise, no specific tests are necessary.
Does Apoquel work for food allergies?
When Apoquel is best.
Apoquel can be used in all these instances since it's labeled for the control of pruritus associated with any allergic disorder, including flea allergy dermatitis, scabies or food allergies
, as well as canine atopic dermatitis.
What is the difference between Apoquel and Atopica?
Apoquel is designed for acute flares of itchiness, whereas Atopica is targeted at the cause of the immune response
; Cytopoint provides relief to chronic itchiness for an extended period.
Why is Apoquel not working?
Now, if Apoquel worked in the past and suddenly is not,
there may be a secondary infection
. You should take her to the vet to rule out infection. Typically vets will do a swab of the skin or tape prep cytology to look for yeast and bacteria under the microscope.
Can dogs take Zyrtec and Apoquel together?
While
it is safe to give these two medications together
I'd check in with your vet before proceeding to make sure it is safe for Izzie specifically. Also, it may not be necessary to add in an antihistamine if the Apoquel is doing it's job.
Can Apoquel cause tumors in dogs?
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION 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
.
Does Apoquel stop itching?
APOQUEL works right at the source to stop itching and relieve inflammation
. It is a prescription medicine used for the control of itch associated with allergic dermatitis and control of atopic dermatitis.
