You might have seen your dog scratching or licking its fur or paws intensely. If you feel uncomfortable while seeing your four-foot friend biting its own tail, just imagine what your animal love must be going through!
Itchiness, persistent licking, and rashes; all these signs indicate that your canine is suffering from skin allergy, also known as dermatitis. Allergic dermatitis is the most common form of allergy in dogs. Persistent itching and skin irritation leave your pet miserable. Allergens such as grass, dust, dust mites, and parasites such as fleas and ticks may cause such allergic reactions.
The good thing is there is a product that is capable of providing your dog relief from all allergic skin conditions. Apoquel is a popular product that is widely used to treat a variety of skin conditions in dogs.
This blog explains the role of this product in treating skin allergies in dogs. Read through to learn more:
Apoquel – Overview
Apoquel is a vet-recommended, fast-acting oral treatment to relieve dogs from itching, swelling, and other symptoms caused by allergic and atopic dermatitis.
Apoquel is indicated for use in puppies and dogs from 12 months of age.
Apoquel and Skin Allergy
Apoquel stops itching before it starts by targeting the itch signal in your pet’s body, thus treating itching and inflammation.
Apoquel suppresses the activity of various pro-inflammatory and pruritogenic cytokines such as Janus kinase (JAK1 and JAK3) which are connected to dog allergies. By suppressing this function, Apoquel lowers the cause of itching and inflammation at the root level. This is why, dogs taking Apoquel comparatively itch less and inflammation caused by skin allergy in such dogs is also reduced.
Apoquel – Product Benefits
Apoquel has been recommended to more than 10 million dogs worldwide. This treatment ranks #1 in vet and pet parent satisfaction. Here are some of the many benefits of Apoquel:
- Fast-acting
Apoquel acts quickly. It is known to begin controlling allergic itching within four hours after administration.
- Reduces swelling
Apoquel has shown a remarkable reduction in allergic dermatitis-induced skin inflammation.
- Effective in various allergies
Apoquel is indicated for treating allergic itching in,
Apoquel – Dosage and Administration
- Apoquel should be administered orally, with or without food.
- The standard recommended dosage of Apoquel (oclacitinib maleate) is 0.18 to 0.27 mg/lb (0.4 to 0.6 mg/kg).
- Apoquel should be administered twice daily for up to 14 days. Thereafter, once daily as a maintenance dose.
Follow the dosage table below for accurate dosage administration:
Dog Weight (Lbs) | Number of Apoquel Tablets to be Given (3.6mg Tablets) | Number of Apoquel Tablets to be Given (5.4mg Tablets) | Number of Apoquel Tablets to be Given (16mg Tablets) |
| 6.6-9.9 | 0.5 | – | – |
| 10.0-14.9 | – | 0.5 | – |
| 15.0-19.9 | 1 | – | – |
| 20.0-29.9 | – | 1 | – |
| 30.0-44.9 | – | – | 0.5 |
| 45.0-53.9 | 0.5 | – | 0.5 |
| 54.0-59.9 | – | 0.5 | 0.5 |
| 60.0-89.9 | – | – | 1 |
| 90.0-129.9 | – | – | 1.5 |
| 130.0-175.9 | – | – | 2 |
Apoquel – Short-term & Long-term Use
Apoquel is recommended for short-term use in a sudden outbreak of allergic itching.
Apoquel is also indicated for use in the long-term management of skin allergies. It is known to control environment-induced long-term inflammatory skin conditions such as atopic dermatitis.
Apoquel – Safety Guide
- Apoquel is not recommended for dogs less than 12 months of age.
- Avoid using this treatment in puppies and dogs with serious infections.
- The safe use of Apoquel has not been evaluated in pregnant, breeding, and lactating dogs. Do not use this treatment in such dogs.
- Apoquel has been safely used with other common treatments such as antibiotics, vaccines, and parasiticides.
Apoquel – Common Questions
Q. What does Apoquel do for my dog?
A. Apoquel effectively relieves itching in skin allergies such as atopic dermatitis. This oral formula controls pruritus associated with allergic dermatitis and reduces inflammation and pain caused by hypersensitivity of the skin.
Q. How does Apoquel work?
A. Once administered, Apoquel obstructs Janus kinase, which is an itch signal that causes itching and inflammation, hence reducing itching from its source. The formula also diminishes inflammatory signals in the dog’s body and as a result, reduces swelling caused by allergies.
Q. How long my dog should take Apoquel?
A. Apoquel is recommended for both short-term and long-term use. Talk to your veterinarian to decide Apoquel treatment plan for your dog.
Q. How Apoquel is different from other allergy treatments?
A. Apoquel reduces itching from its source by inhibiting itch signals, responsible for itching and inflammation. Likewise, it also decreases allergic inflammation. No other allergy treatment has shown a similar mode of action.