Apoquel

[Nancy and Georgia Brown]

Has anyone tried this for allergies?

My dermatology vet is excited about this drug but it is in such short supply they aren't giving it to new patients just yet.

[BG and Gavin]

Now that this drug has been on the market two years, what are your opinions F and Karen. I just picked this up to give to Gavin for ragweed season. I thought it would be better than going the Pen-V steroid route as I have heard often enough how hard the steroids are on them.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I think that for short term use, it should be okay. It's important to keep in mind that Apoquel is still a powerful immunosuppressant, with side-effects of its own, and I'm not sure that 2 years is enough time to know what kinds of effects there may be down the road. 

[F, Calla & Luca]

Personally I would prefer short term, low dose steroids if need be. Corticosteroids have been used forever and when used as I mentioned they are fine.

[BG and Gavin]

Son of a gun! here I was all smug and thinking I was doing the right thing. "My DK friends are going to be proud of me

[F, Calla & Luca]

We are always proud of you and your derm vet should be the one to really discuss it with :-)

[BG and Gavin]

Lol F. :)  He said overthe short term the side effects of both are minimal and that he was confident that it would be the standard for treatment.

[Niki & Jasper]

I am curious about this drug as well. My vet recommended this for Jasper this year instead of the usual vanactyl-p. She said it was a safer option. I would love to hear your opinions.

[BG and Gavin]

So far he has shown a gradual decrease of symptoms and is relatively symptom free at day 5. No noticeable side effects like appetite or water intake increase, but I understand the concern is more for long term side effects (cancer being one).