New drug release for allergy dogs - Apoquel
 

This is the drug my Vet Derm is proposing we try Alfie on when it is release in Uk in January.

I googled the links below, interested in your thoughts as a lot of you have a much better experience and knowledge of meds than me. I think it is similar to Atopica?


Apoquel is a veterinary medicine that contains the active substance oclaticinib. Apoquel tablets are available in three different strengths (3.5 mg, 5.4 mg and 16 mg) to cover a range of dog weights.


https://online.zoetis.com/US/EN/Prod...Apoquel_PI.pdf
European Medicines Agency - Veterinary medicines - Apoquel
NOAH Compendium of Animal Medicines: Apoquel film-coated tablets for dogs - Contra-indications, warnings, etc

Ooooo, interesting!!! Thanks so much for letting us know this finally came to market. This will be very exciting news for some doggies.

It's somewhat similar to Atopica in that it works within the immune system....Atopica works on T cells and interleukin-2, while Apoquel works on enzymes called Janus kinases (inhibits them). So, what's great about this is that if Atopica doesn't work for one dog, Apoquel may - so it opens up new possibilities. Yay!

Good to know. The atopica works great for Cali but it's good to know in case it stops working.

Got the new drugs today
 

We got Alfie's new drugs today. Prescription is 1/2 morning and evening for 2 weeks then just 1/2 per day. For the first few days we should keep him on his normal meds which is 1/2 pireton and 1/4 citerizine (sp?) every day and full prednisone every other day.

He has had his usual meds and only 1/2 Apoquel today as we only got to vets late morning.

Ummmm, I think he is very lethargic tonight. A bit zonked out with only a first small dose of meds. I will see how he is first thing and if he doesn't seem like somebody who took their mothers Valium to Woodstock, then I may give him another 1/2 as prescribed. He has not followed me or my husband anywhere since taking new meds, but did get very showy offy with my grandsons when they came earlier, like look how I can growl and shake this squeaky toy which is ok normal.

I need to give these meds a chance and they are new, so I will also be keeping in touch with my vet derm (Pat)

I will be considering this option very closely (obviously, it's for my best buddy) he should have a fun life chasing balls, not a long life not able to chase balls.

Also, saw a few new rashes today before he got any meds and in a place (back of shoulders) that I don't think he can lick or bite, however borderline area.

Will keep you all up to date. Just looked over and he is zonked,

I don't know much about it, but our vet derm is already using it for her patients and and brochures in her office. My dog does very well on Atopica. I'm sorry he is zonked -- maybe he needs some time to adjust to the meds? Keep us posted on your little one.

I was given the choice of this drug or a topic a from the derm vet, he explained that his med works quicker in the beginning, studies have show this is an everyday forever treatment, while the Atopica might take a little longer to show results, most dogs can be weened to a weekly dose. I chose the Atopica and Milo is doing great! If you are concerned maybe you can ask about the Atopica.

I hope your pup feels better

Oh wow, didn't realize that this newer med was now available in the US. Cool! :thumbup:

Did your vet mention whether or not he's seeing good results yet w/ the newer drug? What was the price of the Apoquel vs Atopica, did he say? That would be interesting to know since Atopica def is not cheap.

I did not ask, I am not big on pharmaceuticals, I would rather go a natural route when possible so I went with the Atopica, so far so good he is off the prednisone*and not licking or scratching, we go for our follow up tomorrow night.

Alfie has been on Apoquel for just over a week now, still weaning off prednisone but I am seeing a really great improvement. He has been bare naked for most of this past weekend, the longest time in more than a year.
Still gets his Jammie's on when we go to work, I still don't trust he won't scratch when we are not around and he can rip his skin apart pretty good in seconds.

So far it is looking really promising.
I was a little worried as he was a bit zonked on day 1 and 2 but he seems fine again now.

He should get his last dose of pred on Wednesday then at the end of this week we cut his Apoquel down from half twice daily to half just once a day.

I will update again next week.

Before the release my vet derm said it would be cheaper than atopic a. However we haven't paid for his first lot yet as the vet hadn't priced it up when we collected.

Atopica is most definitely a pharmaceutical, is not natural, and majorly affects the immune system. So, is your kiddo actually on something else that is not a pharmaceutical / is natural? Maybe it has a similar name to Atopica? I'm confused.

Apoquel
 

My vet called this morning to let me know about this new drug Apoquel, just becoming available in NH, that may work for Tyrone, who has severe environmental allergies. He does very well 3 seasons of the year, but as soon as we are shut in for the winter, his skin erupts. He's been on Atopica for 10 months, but still has flare ups that are so difficult to deal with. Anyway, my vet has high hopes for this med, and said it's been great in studies, and does not have the possible long term bad effects that can happen with Atopica, never mind the steroids. Also, the cost is about 70.00 for a 180 day supply for Ty who is 10 pounds...huge savings. I'm keeping my fingers crossed on this...the pills won't be in for 6-8 weeks...so it's Atopica till then, and hopefully it will be spring and we'll be outside more :)!

My fourteen yearold Yorkie has been having a terrible itch for almost 3 years.
I have tried to find the answer but can’t .
He has had a skin scrap and i was told it was under lying Bacterial infection.
He is on Betamox as he won’t take tablets, and I wash him every other day in Malaseb Shampoo
He has had steroid injections which really help but i know they aren’t good for his kidneys.
Should i let him have injections so he is comfortable

I am in Dungannon so i am quite near you

My fourteen yearold Yorkie has been having a terrible itch for almost 3 years.
I have tried to find the answer but can’t .
He has had a skin scrap and i was told it was under lying Bacterial infection.
He is on Betamox as he won’t take tablets, and I wash him every other day in Malaseb Shampoo
He has had steroid injections which really help but i know they aren’t good for his kidneys.
Should i let him have injections so he is comfortable

Atopica
 

do any of these come in liquid , I can't get a tablet into Ben

Is this atopic dog skin disease?
 

My fourteen yearold Yorkie has been having a terrible itch for almost 3 years.
I have tried to find the answer but can’t .
He has had a skin scrap and i was told it was under lying Bacterial infection.
He is on Betamox as he won’t take tablets, and I wash him every other day in Malaseb Shampoo
He has had steroid injections which really help but i know they aren’t good for his kidneys.
Is this atopic dog skin disease?
Should i let him have injections so he is comfortable

I am in Dungannon

As far as I know, Apoquel is a tablet. The vet said Tyrone would take a half tablet each day, so it's probably not a gel cap. I just put his meds on the back of his tongue and he swallows it. He used to try to hide when he saw me opening the package, but he's resigned to it now....just sits and waits lol....

New drug release for allergy dogs - Apoquel
 

I have tried tablets even hiding it in melted cheese. He just wriggles and it pops out. I am afraid the other 2 Yorkies will get it.

I have a second 14 year old Yorkie with Cushings and a 3rd 4 yearold who just wants hugged all the time.

Sounds like atopic dermatitis...I think that's a cover term for the skin reaction they get from allergies. You can spend alot on testing and still not know the cause?...Ty is only two, and the allergies started early....would not want him on steroids as they would certainly shorten his life, even though they work like a dream. In an older dog, I guess it's a choice about quality of life...As far as I know, Apoquel is a tablet. The vet said Tyrone would take a half tablet each day, so it's probably not a gel cap. It has been available in the UK for awhile now. I just put his meds on the back of his tongue and he swallows it. He used to try to hide when he saw me opening the package, but he's resigned to it now....just sits and waits lol....hello to Ireland!!! (I've been there 5 times...)

New drug release for allergy dogs - Apoquel
 

Hello to the US,

thank you for all the help. Yes at 14 years old its all about Ben having a good life. He has been through ligament operations and had his knee pined. all his teeth have gone.

But he is still a naughty little man.

Poor baby, have a look at my albums to,see what a terrible state Alfie was in before I took him to a vet dermatologist, he lost most of the hair on his hips and scratched until he bled. My Vet Derm ( Pat in Cedar Grove, Belfast) has been great. I don't think you current vet is doing enough to treat this little one. If you have insurance it should cover treatment for a year which will be enough time to get scrapings and allergy testing done. If not the first consult may be a bit expensive but worth it to find a suitable long term treatment.

Alfie is still doing well on Apoquel which is much better long term than steroids.

Hope you can get something. To help.

Loving all these Irish yorkies ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️!!!

Not sure, but you might be able to crush and dissolve in water to feed him meds through a medicine syringe, your vet should be able to,advise. ImhudebAlfies in a nice smelly bit of cheese.

Apoquel
 

I kept on with the bathing of Ben every other day and his antibiotics. Shampoo was £20 every time.

Yesterday we got Apoquel (he becomes a monster with tablets) but he has had 2 tablets and he is doing better already.

He has been through the wars with his bad legs and this skin problem. he has to take 2 tablets daily for 2 weeks and then 1 tablet so i just hope he keeps letting me give it to him.

My other Yorkie has cushings and comes looking his tablet, I am still having his blood tests done until we get the right dose.

They are both 14 and spoilt rotton, their little sister is 4 and thankfully no problems yet.

I love Yorkies and would do anything for these little dogs:animal36

Thank you to everyone who helped

Georgaline

That is just GREAT that you're already seeing some results w/ the Apoquel - I'm hearing such great things about this med!

Just fyi, my Wylie has Cushings too - and it does take a while to get the Cushings med titrated correctly, so I feel for what you're going thru w/ your other dog.

hi,
my yorkie doesn't have any allergies at all, but I have a 3 1/4 pound Chihuahua who is around 4 years old, who has very bad allergies. I took her to the Vet yesterday for her yearly check up and the Vet told me about Apoquel. he told me he was expecting it in any day. he just called me yesterday. he got the Apoquel in and i'm going to pick it up this morning and start Latte on it today. he said 1/2 pill 2 times a day for 2 weeks. then he wants to see her back...
I am very excited and hopeful about this new med

Apoquel
 

Hello Mom of Three:)! I am puzzled after reading your post...I am only 100 miles north of you, and my vet is being told by Zoetis, the manufacturer, that Apoquel is backordered until possibly summer 2015! Tyrone is still on expensive Atopica, and it doesn't work that great for him, so I am anxious to get the Apoquel....have been trying to get it from England, where it has been available for years. Anyone else having trouble getting it? Would love to know what's going on!😬

It's out of stock EVERYwhere here too.

I guess I am very lucky. my Vet has been waiting to get the apoquel for a long time. it finally came in yesterday. he has never had it before. I don't think he could get a lot of it and my little Chihuahua has very bad allergies . she only weighs 3 pounds 1 ounce. he said cause she doesn't weigh much, she wont need as much and she will be the first dog he is putting on this medication. I just started her today. she gets 1/4 of a pill twice a day for 2 weeks. then he wants to see her back. i'm very excited to try her on this. It seems like I've tried everything for her. she scratches her skin so bad it bleeds. so, I've been keeping her skin covered so she doesn't harm it. she wears all in one outfits all the time.
at her visit on Tuesday, he did give her a shot of ( I forgot the exact name ) a steroid and told me it would only last a few days. it helped her so much and I think is still helping her today ( Saturday ).
so, I just gave her her first 1/4 pill. its a very tiny pill and so hard to cut in quarters. its easy to cut in half but the half is so tiny , its hard to quarter. it crumbled in pieces, so, I just pressed some soft cheese onto the crumbled quarter to get it all up and she Loves any food , so she gobbled the cheese with the crumbled pill right up.

also forgot to mention that I paid 15 dollars for 10 pills. ( but , like I said before , she only gets 1/2 pill a day .. 1/4 in the morning, 1/4 in the evening ) and that's for 2 weeks and then I think the dose will get cut in half to once a day .
so, 15 dollars for more than 20 days worth of pills for a 3 pound 1 ounce dog.
I don't really care about the cost.. whatever it costs is fine with me. of course i'd like to save money ,but , if it works ... its worth any price to me. i'm hoping this will work for her