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Originally Posted by coco2013  I have just learned some very upsetting news regarding Apoquel. I am just discovering that it destroys the animals immune system. Little Miss Coco has been on Apoquel for months now. When the drug first came out she was put on it and it seemed to help her. Then when it became popular, many vets couldn't get it anymore and she was put on Allercept Therapy Drops. Well, several months went by and then Apoquel became available again. Tonight, I learned of a horrible incident happening to someone's precious little angel. It all stemmed from Apoquel according to a veterinarian from Cornel. This precious little guy had been on Apoquel for over a year. I wont go into any further details because it is a very very heart wrenching story. I just need to find out if any of you here have heard anything at all about this drug?
We have noticed that for the last several weeks that Coco has been scratching quit a bit. Now, we thought it was probably due to the extreme amount of rain we've been getting and the grasses are in overdrive around here. So, I called my vet and they said that rather than give her the normal dose of 1/2 tablet a day to 1/2 tablet twice a day until the itching gets back under control. Well, it hasn't. Now, we just noticed that she's been licking her girlie parts quit a bit. Didn't really give it much thought to begin with other than maybe she was itching there too. Now, upon discovering this new information I did a bit of reading and bladder infection was also stated. So, my mind is on overdrive here to concern about the news I heard today and applying it to what we are noticing with her.
I do know that we are definitely taking her off Apoquel as of right now. I will give her Benadryl until I can get her something else for her itching. Please let me know if anyone here has heard/knows anything about this drug.
Thank you so very much |
Having 2 dogs w/ allergies, I feel your pain dealing with this issue - allergies are awful! My Marcel has been on Atopica for about 5 years now, and it was a miracle for him, thankfully. Our Wylie has recurrent skin infections (pyoderma) due to his allergies. I do not have him on allergy meds bc he is on so much else.
Remember that drugs are *extensively* and thoroughly tested, and it's quite rigorous. With any/all drugs/meds, there will be potential (stress,
potential) side effects or adverse reactions - it happens w/ pretty much every med known to man, in dogs and in humans. It's just the way it is, unfortunately. If I were you, I'd want to know the exact details and history of this case you've heard of. Are you totally sure it's true and not just some internet story that is making it's way around? I'd want to know exactly what "destroying the immune system" meant. I'd want to know that specific dog's health issues, if pertinent etc.
If I was currently giving Apoquel with good effects, hearing this 1 story would not in any way make me stop treating w/ it....unless there was something in the story that would make me believe this was going to affect many dogs. Apoquel has been a literal miracle for SO many allergy dogs and it works great. So if it was improving my dog's quality of life, I'd be continuing it for now.
Btw, Benadryl does not work well for most allergy dogs...also, you have to give it every 4-6 hrs to even maintain a therapeutic level as its half life is so short. A better bet is either Zyrtec or Claritin, both of which my Vet Derm recommends. I have a dosage info sheet from my Vet Derm and will share it with you if you want....just PM me.
