An allergic dog is one of the most frustrating things for an animal owner and for the treating vet. It is something that is never cured but needs constant management to keep the dog comfortable.
Most often, the only thing that provides the dog comfort is cortisone. Cortisone definitely has its role in both human and animal medicine and, if used correctly, can have a positive effect on many conditions.
Cortisone, however, can have side effects. The most common side effect that pet owners will observe is excessive thirst and urination, as well as hunger, which, if uncontrolled, can lead to obesity.
Other conditions that can results from excessive cortisone use are Cushing’s disease, which affects the endocrine system, and liver disease.
Apoquel has been used in other countries for a long time but has been recently been introduced to the South African market. It is different to cortisone in that it is not a steroidal anti-inflammatory. It is the first medicine specifically designed to target canine allergic itch and inflammation and works differently from steroids and cyclosporine. Apoquel targets specific cytokines. Cytokines are a group of signalling molecules made by cells. These signals affect other cells. Apoquel acts on the cytokines that cause itch and inflammation, relieving symptoms of allergic skin disease with minimal impact on the immune system.
If your dog is scratching, licking, or chewing, you should provide fast, effective relief. Apoquel starts relieving allergic dog itch within four hours and controls it within 24 hours. By stopping the itch, you stop scratching, which causes inflammation and the continued cycle of itching and scratching.
Apoquel can be used long term or short term. Initially, it is given twice a day for the first two weeks, and thereafter only once a day.
The downside of Apoquel is that it is a costly drug. New drugs incur a lot of cost and companies need to recoup this money. Over time, we hope this drug will become more affordable. If your pocket allows, it is definitely worth trying. It is a safe drug: The most common side effect is the possibility of vomiting or diarrhoea, but these are not very common.
It is effective for flea allergy, food allergy, contact allergy, and atopic dermatitis, and is safe to use from twelve months onwards. It can be used with many other medications, including non-steroidal anti-inflammatories and antibiotics. It shouldn’t be used in dogs with serious infections or in breeding, pregnant, or lactating dogs.
Chat to your vet if you think Apoquel may be an option for your pet. It has dramatically changed the lives of many pets and their owners for the better.