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.
