Ultimate Guide to Apoquel
Meet the Itchy Skin Reliever: Apoquel!
Apoquel for Dogs is a highly effective dog allergy medication designed to offer relief from the discomfort of allergic dermatitis. This medication is specifically formulated to address the symptoms of allergies in dogs, including itching, inflammation, and other skin conditions.
Key Benefits
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Rapid Itch Relief: Apoquel works quickly to relieve itching and inflammation, offering comfort within 4 hours of administration.
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Effective Against Allergies: Ideal for treating atopic dermatitis and other allergic reactions, providing relief from common symptoms.
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Veterinary Dermatology: Apoquel is a trusted name in veterinary dermatology, and vets recommend it for its efficacy and safety profile.
Dosage and Administration
Apoquel tablets are available in multiple strengths, including 3.6 mg, 5.4 mg, and 16 mg, allowing for precise dosing based on your dog's weight and severity of symptoms. The medication is administered orally and is typically given twice daily at the start of treatment, followed by a maintenance dose.
Indications
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Allergic Dermatitis: Effective for dogs suffering from allergic dermatitis, reducing itching and skin irritation.
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Atopic Dermatitis: Provides relief from chronic atopic dermatitis, a common condition in adult dogs.
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Other Skin Conditions: Also beneficial for treating other skin conditions that cause itching and discomfort.
Safety and Side Effects
Apoquel is known for having few side effects compared to steroids and other common medications used to treat skin conditions in dogs. However, some potential side effects include:
It is important to note that Apoquel may exacerbate neoplastic conditions. Therefore, regular blood work is recommended to monitor your dog's health during treatment. In rare cases, long-term use of Apoquel can affect the immune system, leading to immune suppression.
Precautions
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Breeding Dogs: Not recommended for use in breeding dogs.
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Cats: Apoquel is not intended for use in cats.
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Neoplastic Conditions: Caution should be taken if your dog has a history of neoplastic conditions, as higher doses can exacerbate these issues.
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Interaction with Other Drugs: Always consult your vet before combining Apoquel with other medications to avoid adverse interactions.
For dogs that cannot tolerate Apoquel, alternative treatments are available, including other dog allergy medications, steroids, and dietary changes to manage food allergies. Always consult your veterinarian to determine the best course of action for your pet.
Apoquel is a powerful and effective treatment for dogs suffering from allergic dermatitis and other skin conditions. Its fast-acting formula and minimal side effects make it a preferred choice among vets and pet owners alike. Ensure to monitor your dog's health with regular veterinary visits and blood work to maintain optimal well-being while using Apoquel.
Apoquel is the veterinarian-approved and FDA-approved dog medication that is used to control a dog 's pruritus (i.e., itchiness) from skin disease caused by allergic and atopic dermatitis. Apoquel is a twice-daily, oral tablet for up to 14-day skin therapy to guarantee your pup 's comfort.
What is Apoquel?
Apoquel is a medication that treats a dog 's skin disease which causes intense itching. Pruritus is the medical term for itching and scratching in dogs that is commonly associated with skin disorders from flea dermatitis and other allergic skin diseases.
What causes skin disease in dogs?
Skin disease is most often caused by dermatitis or other allergens, in which dog owners need to seek veterinary care.
Flea allergy, atopic, and contact (e.g., soaps and perfumes) dermatitis are very common causes of skin disease in dogs. Additionally, seasonal environmental allergies, food allergies, and sarcoptic mange from mites cause skin disease and irritation in pups.
How does skin disease appear?
Skin disease appears as red, inflamed areas of skin may lead to a common bacterial skin infection in dogs called pyoderma. If severe enough, the dog may develop hair loss, scabs, and bleeding skin from self-trauma.
Is it easy to treat skin diseases?
It can be very challenging and frustrating for both dog owners and veterinarians to treat skin disease. To diagnose the specific cause of itching on a dog, several tests and treatments are necessary for weeks to months. The tests may be skin scrapings and skin cytology to look for mites (e.g., mange), other insects, or various infections.
Varied treatments, such as Apoquel, can aid in relieving skin irritability, pain, and development from a dog 's self-trauma.
How does Apoquel work?
Apoquel targets a key itch signal in the dog 's nervous system that allows your veterinarian to diagnose the underlying cause of itch while providing your dog with relief. Brand Apoquel 's active ingredient is Oclactinib, its trade name.
Oclactinib inhibits the activity of signal transducer JAK (Janus kinase) that causes inflammatory diseases. This then prevents the expression of inflammatory cytokines under the skin that causes skin disease and itchiness.
How is Apoquel for dogs administered?
Apoquel is an oral pill administered twice a day. Apoquel dosing provides 3.6 mg, 5.4 mg, or 16 mg of oclacitinib per tablet, and each manufactured bottle is packaged with 20 counts or 100 counts of scored tablets. See the dosage chart below where the size of the tablet is perfectly suited for your dog 's size:
Body Weight
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Apoquel 3.6 mg
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Apoquel 5.4 mg
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Apoquel 16 mg
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6.6 to 9.9 lbs.
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Half (0.5 tablets)
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10 to 14.9 lbs.
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Half (0.5 tablets)
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15 to 19.9 lbs.
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One tablet
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20 to 29.9 lbs.
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One tablet
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30 to 44.9 lbs.
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Half (0.5 tablets)
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45 to 53.9 lbs.
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Half (0.5 tablets)
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Half (0.5 tablets)
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54 to 59.9 lbs.
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Half (0.5 tablets)
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Half (0.5 tablets)
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60 to 89.9 lbs.
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One tablet
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90 to 129.9 lbs.
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One and a Half (1.5 tablets)
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130 to 175.9 lbs.
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Two tablets
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What are the precautions to which you should be aware?
Apoquel is not for use in dogs that are:
- Less than 12 months of age.
- Breeding
- Pregnant
- Lactating
- Suffering from serious infections
- Susceptible to infection
This product is for oral use in dogs ONLY, not for humans or children. This also means that you must wash your hands immediately after administering pills.
Taking Apoquel in combination with systemic immunosuppressive agents medications has not been evaluated yet. However, Apoquel for dogs has been safely used in conjunction with antibiotics, parasiticides, and vaccinations.
What are the Apoquel side effects of which you should be aware?
Apoquel 's most common adverse reactions reported are vomiting and diarrhea. Dogs should be monitored for the potential development of infections, such as neoplasia or demodicosis.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What is the Apoquel dosage?
The dosage of Apoquel tablets should be 0.18 to 0.27 milligrams per pound. Apoquel should be given twice daily for up to 14 days of therapy. The medication can be taken with or without food. However, the product can be taken for the short term or long term, according to your veterinarian.
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What do the Apoquel reviews say?
Apoquel reviews rate at 5 out of 5 stars. Most reviewers say that Apoquel is a miracle worker because it reduces and eliminates their dog 's itchiness and improves their dog 's quality of life.
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Is Apoquel for puppies?
Apoquel can be administered to young dogs that are at least 12 months of age and are at least weighing 6.6 pounds.
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How long does it take for Apoquel to work?
After administration, relief starts taking effect after four hours and then is fully controlled after 24 hours.
Concluding Thoughts
The most important thing that you should know about Apoquel is its power to improve your dog 's quality of life as it relieves intense itching, scratching, and painful developments on the dog 's skin.
DISCLAIMER: FDA law restricts Apoquel only on order or prescription of a licensed veterinarian for the best pet health care advice. Ask your veterinarian or consult with one of our pet care specialists at 1-800-844-1427. This informative article is not meant to substitute for the diagnosis, treatment, and professional advice from your veterinarian or other qualified professionals regarding a medical condition. Ask your veterinarian if you should keep using the veterinarian product.