Apoquel Treatment For Dogs Allergies
Say No to Apoquel and Cytopoint
Let’s explore the reason you need to avoid Apoquel or Cytopoint and consider better options!
Your dog will thank you for choosing more natural options, and better food first.
Apoquel Allergy Treatment For Dogs
Nope, still not a vet so I cannot give you medical advice and tell you not to use this drug. But I can give you some resources that may help you make your own decision with the information that may differ from your vet. I can tell you why I would never use it.
I can advise you to do your research to reinforce my opinions.
Apoquel actually doesn’t cure anything. Apoquel was meant to be a temporary use product for relief of severe itching. The FDA approval documentation even says “until the core reason could be found”. But it’s been highly misused.
Apoquel “numbs the nerves” of animals. This means your dog simply does no FEEL the itch, but the underlying symptoms are there and the root cause is not addressed.
Apoquel Side Effects
Vomiting, diarrhea, anorexia
behavior changes including aggression & hyperactivity
liver failure, bone marrow suppression
seizures
immune suppression, infections, poor wound healing, viral papilloma, demodex
urinary tract infections (UTI)
bacterial infections in the ears
skin infections
unsafe for dogs under 12 months of age
unsafe for dogs with Cancer or with an infection.
May cause Cancer.
Read This Article from Dr. William Falconer, an animal naturopath: Apoquel: Drug with a Dark Side
Apoquel is an Immunosuppressant & Neuro-Inhibotor
This rx medication is in basic terms a neuro-inhibitor (Jak1 and Jak3). Said to “stop the itch”, it does so by numbing the nerves of your pet to trick the brain into believing it doesn’t itch.
It does nothing to address the root cause of the inflammatory response. The root cause is perhaps damaging your dog’s immune system and overall health. Not to mention the unknown effects of the prescription long-term.
I have had pet parents tell me in no uncertain terms that they would rather see their dog’s life reduced by years, than see them suffer in the misery of allergies another day.
Apoquel is an Immunosuppressant
Yes, that means it suppresses your dog’s immune system. That may be a problem when your immune system needs to be strong to fight off illnesses, receive vaccines, and deal with the aging process.
Apoquel Allergy Shot Warning
From the manufacturer’s website:
Important Safety Information: Do not use APOQUEL in dogs less than 12 months of age or those with serious infections. APOQUEL may increase the chances of developing serious infections and may cause existing parasitic skin infestations or pre-existing cancers to get worse. APOQUEL has not been tested in dogs receiving some medications including some commonly used to treat skin conditions such as corticosteroids and cyclosporine. Do not use in breeding, pregnant, or lactating dogs. Most common side effects are vomiting and diarrhea. APOQUEL has been used safely with many common medications including parasiticides, antibiotics and vaccines.
For more information, please see the full Prescribing Information.
INDICATIONS
Control of pruritus (itching) associated with allergic dermatitis and control of atopic dermatitis in dogs at least 12 months of age.
“Apoquel affects kinases (essential signaling compounds that the body’s cells use to communicate with each other) which can cause intolerable low white and low red cell count, stunted growth and can increase the dog’s risk of cancer. Don’t take our word for it... it’s listed on Apoquel’s website.
According to the site, it’s known to cause neoplastic conditions. A neoplasm is an abnormal growth of tissue that can be benign (noncancerous) or malignant (cancerous). Benign tumors usually grow slowly and don’t spread. However, malignant tumors (cancerous neoplasms) grow rapidly and invade other parts of your body.
Like other immunosuppressants, the use of Apoquel can lead to secondary skin infections caused by bacteria or fungi. Cytopoint is a type of non-drug treatment that contains bioengineered antibodies that target and neutralize one of the main proteins in your dog’s body that causes itching. Despite excellent results for some dogs, the effectiveness of both medications often wanes over time. Most importantly, the underlying cause is often unidentified and the itch persists. ”
CytoPoint Allergy Treatment
Is Cytopoint Safe For My Dogs
Cytopoint doesn’t prove to a better option. Many will tell you it’s less harmful than Apoquel, but that’s not saying much. It is not harmless. It too dysregulates the immune system. Thus, causing issues similar to those of immunosuppressants. Cytopoint works by suppressing the immune response, there is a theoretical risk of increased susceptibility to infections or reduced ability to fight off certain diseases.
One of the primary risks associated with cytopoint is the possibility of adverse reactions or side effects. You may notice severe allergic reactions / anaphylaxis or lesser reactions such as vomiting, diarrhea, and lethargy. It's crucial to closely monitor your dog after receiving a Cytopoint injection and seek immediate veterinary attention if any concerning symptoms arise.
We also know that Cytopoint may work for a while and then become ineffective. So you’ll be right back where you started AND likely have contributed to other immunity issues or health concerns for your dog.
Dr. Judy Morgan tell us:
If your pet is going to respond to a Cytopoint injection, it will be within 1 day. It is labeled as a once per month injection, though it lasts 4-8 weeks. They do advise to try a second injection even if the first one doesn't work. The problem is, their body can make antibodies to this synthetic antibody injection. If you've been getting repeat injections and you notice the "positive" effects wearing off, that means it is no longer working.
Before you choose to give your dog Cytopoint or Apoque — it’s worth taking a little extra time to explore food changes, natural products, and other ways to help your dog heal — not just suppress the symptoms.
Call me!
Dog's Naturally Magazine Article on Cytopoint
Blog from Dr. Will Falconer on Cytopoint
(I hope you will all soon be questioning what “safe” means when combined with other medications, vaccines & antibiotics.
Cytopoint Side Effects
vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy
behavior changes, excitability, arousal
urinary incontinence
auto-immune disease, immune suppression
Liver damage, clotting
allergic reactions, shock
will stop working after a few injections
not for use under 8 pounds, breeding bitches
Alternative To Apoquel & Cytopoint For Allergies
We love our pets and we cannot bear the suffering. And I agree we have to find relief for them, but there are options you should explore.
I have discussed this topic and allergies, in general, many times with holistic veterinarians and resources who specialize in nutrition and wellness for dogs. I have also seen a significant number of people find a resolution to their dog’s allergies with all-natural solutions.
Many dogs have been able to wean off these prescriptions. I hope you will try to be one of them too
So are you wondering what your alternatives are? Great — I have quite a few. They begin with Nutrition. Supporting the healing process from the inside and out — supplements & topical soothers from essential oils and ointments. We may even look at a detox protocol for your dog.
Food First Always… but if you are not sure about what foods or products your dog may be triggering on, consider a Glacier Peaks Test. Schedule time with me to review and customize your dier!
More and more I am seeing good results when using CBD, Mushrooms, therapeutic levels of Omega 3, and essential oils to stop the itch. But remember we still need to find the root cause with foods, seasonal allergies, or other environmental allergies and address that too!
CBD and Dog Allergies
CBD oil contains cannabinoids that can effectively alleviate allergy symptoms by complementing the body's natural endocannabinoids. Essentially, these cannabinoids act as a support system for your dog's endocannabinoid system. This interaction is particularly valuable in addressing contact allergies on the skin, offering a promising target for therapeutic intervention while we work on resolution from the inside out.
The good news — is people who have worked with me and followed the suggested changes for their individual pets — have never had to go back to these shots.
Schedule Time With Me Today to start using natural options and food to relieve your dog’s allergies.
