Ultimate Guide to Apoquel
Meet the Itchy Skin Reliever: 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
|
Apoquel 3.6 mg
|
Apoquel 5.4 mg
|
Apoquel 16 mg
|
|
6.6 to 9.9 lbs.
|
Half (0.5 tablets)
|
|
10 to 14.9 lbs.
|
Half (0.5 tablets)
|
|
15 to 19.9 lbs.
|
One tablet
|
|
20 to 29.9 lbs.
|
One tablet
|
|
30 to 44.9 lbs.
|
Half (0.5 tablets)
|
|
45 to 53.9 lbs.
|
Half (0.5 tablets)
|
Half (0.5 tablets)
|
|
54 to 59.9 lbs.
|
Half (0.5 tablets)
|
Half (0.5 tablets)
|
|
60 to 89.9 lbs.
|
One tablet
|
|
90 to 129.9 lbs.
|
One and a Half (1.5 tablets)
|
|
130 to 175.9 lbs.
|
Two tablets
|
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
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
