What Is Apoquel For Dogs? Apoquel is an anti-allergy drug often prescribed by vets. It’s touted as a fast-acting and safe treatment for controlling acute and chronic canine pruritus. Pruritus means itching. When a dog is itchy, owners get desperate to make them more comfortable. Nobody wants to be itchy and constantly scratching. A dose of this medication can ease a dog’s allergic itch in as little as 4 to 24 hours. Dog owners say the drug works to relieve their dogs’ itching. Sounds like something you might want to try, right? Well, not so fast…
How Does Apoquel Work? Apoquel affects the body’s kinases. Kinases are signaling compounds that cells use to communicate with each other. In the 1980s, an Australian chemist discovered some new ones, known as JAK1, JAK2, JAK3 and TKY2. With the growing epidemic of dog allergies, pharmaceutical companies saw an opportunity. They developed a drug that would stop these JAKs. The kinase inhibitor Oclacitinib maleate, under the brand name Apoquel, stops JAKs from doing their job.
Apoquel, a drug used for canine dermatological conditions, has been associated with various severe side effects. This article delves into the reported issues and their implications.
In a study, several dogs experienced fluid-filled abdomens and chests, leading to the euthanasia of six dogs due to suspected malignant neoplasms, cancers that spread easily but remain undetected due to immune suppression.
Two dogs developed Grade II mast cell tumors after 52 and 91 days, while one developed low-grade B-cell lymphoma after 392 days. Additionally, two dogs developed apocrine gland adenocarcinomas—one dermal and the other in the anal sac—at 210 and 320 days on Apoquel. Another dog developed a low-grade oral spindle cell sarcoma, a painful oral cancer, after 320 days.
Zoetis Inc, the manufacturer, claimed no fatalities or hospitalizations due to health events during the study’s initial phase (day 0–7) and continuation phase (day 8–28). However, the study’s duration was a mere 7 days, with a continuation phase from day 8 to 30. During this phase, six dogs were withdrawn due to abnormal health events, and 11 out of 179 oclacitinib-treated dogs reported post-study issues such as diarrhea, vomiting, fever, lethargy, cystitis, and other symptoms, indicating about a 6% occurrence rate within 30 days.
The FDA has raised concerns about Apoquel’s safety, citing ‘False Or Misleading Risk Presentation’ in promotional materials. The manufacturer states that Apoquel is safe for long-term use, but the study results suggest otherwise.
Apoquel is restricted for use in dogs over 12 months old. A safety study on younger dogs was halted due to bacterial pneumonia and demodectic mange infections. The company warns against using Apoquel in dogs under 12 months or those with serious infections, as it may increase the risk of developing serious infections and exacerbate existing parasitic skin infestations or pre-existing cancers.
In the study on 12-month-old dogs, side effects included papillomas, interdigital furunculosis with related dermatitis symptoms, edema of feet, pneumonia, and lymphadenopathy in peripheral nodes.
Dog owners often seek alternatives to Apoquel due to its side effects, which include skin diseases and a reduction in white and red blood cell count. These side effects can also impact lymphatic tissues such as lymph nodes and bone marrow.
Is there an alternative to Apoquel for dogs? therapies like acupuncture and homeopathy can help dogs with environmental allergies. Acupuncture results tend to be short term and may need repeating every couple of weeks. Homeopathy works well but it can be a slow process. Your homeopath will usually need to prescribe a series of remedies until you find one that works for your dog. Here are 5 natural alternatives to Apoquel for dogs you can try, that won’t cause the most common side effects: 1. Topical Solutions: Use a topical product that works to calm the source of the itchy skin and skin inflammation. Your dog’s skin has 10 times more mast cells than humans do on their skin. So it’s no surprise they’re constantly scratching. But scratching increases the intensity of the itching, because it activates more mast cells. If you can nip the first itchy spot in the bud, you’re way ahead of the game. Itching begets scratching, and if we can handle the first set of itches, we may win the battle. Here are some things you can use to help the itch: Derma Drops by Spa Diggity Dog – Apply to itchy spots as soon as you can. Zymox – This comes in a spray-on or cream formula. It’s excellent for itchy hotspots. You can find it on Amazon. Make sure you get the one without hydrocortisone which is a steroid. Baking Soda – You can make a poultice and slurry it on the area. NuStock – A great dependable product to nip itching in the bud. Remember, many dogs have seasonal allergies. You can give these products during the common allergy seasons, the spring and fall. Another important point is that it’s difficult to get dogs off of Apoquel, so you need something on hand. Read about more topical solutions for itchy dogs… 2. Chinese Herbs: Zhu Dan Tablets from Seven Forests can help with the itch. I recommend giving these with a meal. Dosing: ½ pill to 1 pill twice a day for a smaller dog, 1 pill two to three times a day for a medium dog, 2 pills two or three times a day for a large dog. 3. Histoplex by Biotics Research: Histoplex is a blend of herbal extracts shown to help regulate the immune systems. I find it works well for our dogs also. Dosing: A small dog can get ½ pill twice a day, Medium dog 1 pill twice a day, A large dog can have up to 3 pills twice a day while 2 pills twice a day usually suffices. 4. Betathyme: Betathyme is a naturally formed steroid that can help to stop that itch. Follow the directions on the label. 5. Atronex by Standard Process: This is a very nice product that helps to curb the itch. Like Betathyme, follow the directions on the label.Apoquel once seemed like a miracle for dogs with allergies and their owners watching them itch. However, it turned out to be far from it. The negative effects of this drug and other conventional drugs are now well known. Fortunately, the patent on Apoquel doesn’t expire until 2026, so it will be a while before generic versions flood the market. Over my many years of experience with holistic modalities, I’ve found that these methods work best.
They are non-invasive, non-toxic and help create a stronger immune system that can fight off cancer and disease. Unlike Apoquel, which stops itching at a high cost, including a low white cell count, a low red cell count, stunted growth, and increasing the risk of cancer. When I became a veterinarian, I vowed to protect the health of our pets and help them live longer and happier lives. Sometimes, with all these new and confusing drugs that pet owners rush to, I feel like I’m swimming upstream. References: Cosgrove S, Wren J, Cleaver D, Martin D, Walsh K, Harfst J, Follis S, King V, Boucher J, Stegemann M. Efficacy and safety of oclacitinib for the control of pruritus and associated skin lesions in dogs with canine allergic dermatitis. National Center Of Biotechnology Information. 5, July 2013. Cosgrove S, Cleaver D, King V, Gilmer A, Daniels A, Wren J, Stegemann M. Long-term compassionate use of oclacitinib in dogs with atopic and allergic skin disease: safety, efficacy and quality of life. National Center Of Biotechnology Information. 26, June 2015.
