hnhammond

New member
Aug 20, 2012
470
33
Los Angeles, CA
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USA
Bulldog(s) Names
Matilda (Tilly)
So Til's been on Atopica since February and not only is it VERY expensive, but it's not completely helping.

Normally when she gets allergies it affects her feet, wrinkles, face, tail pocket, and ears. Now it seems just to be her feet that are really itchy and she keeps gnawing them to the point of bleeding. She also had a bladder infection recently so keeping her on an immunity suppressant since she's prone to those just seems like a bad idea.

I've heard about Apoquel on here before and that it's very new, impossible to find, but a miracle drug. My vet is supposed to start getting it in a few weeks and suggested that we wean Til off the Atopica and start Apoquel. She said that it starts working immediately (instead of having to be in the system for months, like with Atopica) and she doesn't know of any bad side effects, aside that it is very new.

I'm nervous to put Til on such a new drug, but I already know putting her on steroids constantly (pred) isn't exactly good for her and gives her bladder infections, and leaving her itchy and susceptible to yeast infections isn't an option either.

Can you guys weigh in? What would you do?
 

Marine91

The New Casper
Staff member
May 15, 2013
8,698
556
Blips and Chitz
Country
USA
Bulldog(s) Names
Harlea 5/4/13 - 8/25/22
Apoquel has been on the market for a little over a year and has been back ordered pretty much since a few weeks after it came out. The company that produces it has recently increased production of it so the back order is starting to ease. We are still waiting on our vet to get it ourselves. I have several friends that have been using it since day one and the results for them were crazy. Most of them stated that within 24 to 48 hours their pups stopped scratching and licking their paws. Basically it inhibits the itch sensors. Here are a few of the side affects. The list is not all inclusive and may contain more.


  1. In clinical studies, the most common side effects observed in dogs treated with APOQUEL were vomiting and diarrhea. Other reported side effects included: lethargy, decreased or lack of appetite, skin irritation or infection, and ear irritation or infection.


I can't really speak to Atopica as I have never used it nor do I personally know anyone that has.
 

Opie CHL

Well-known member
Dec 4, 2012
4,539
635
Patchogue, NY
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USA
Bulldog(s) Names
Chumley and Hershey
Hershey has been on Apoquel since i got him from [MENTION=4706]RaRett[/MENTION]. He had a history of allergies that Rick couldn't get under control and Apoquel ended up being the miracle cure. It's still not readily available in NY so every 2 weeks I order it from Hersheys previous vet in Delaware and Rick ships it to me.
Part of me wants to wean him off it to see if his allergies were specific to his environment but then I start thinking why risk changing what is working, hershey has been allergy free for almost the entire year I've had him so far. Fingers crossed. I keep hearing it's on back order...last July they told me by the new year...then I'm told this spring..now it's almost summer and I still can't get it from my vet here in NY.
if you can get it I say go for it! There a reason it's hard to get...it works.
 

nycbullymama

Well-known member
Dec 22, 2012
5,182
476
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usa
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b and w
My new vet put Wellie on Apoquel last week. He has seasonal allergies and it wast under control by the end of the second day.

He also licks his paws and while that's definitely better, he still hasn't stopped completely. But at least now, I'm able to get it under control.

Blue's on immunotherapy and while it's definitely helping, I'm thinking of putting him on it as well since his paws are a wreck.

If you can get it, get it. I think it's much safer than Atopica which I was told is the method of last resort for allergies.
 

aprilemari

Well-known member
Community Veteran
Sep 11, 2011
1,853
101
Boston, MA
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USA
Bulldog(s) Names
Lola & Fox
We haven't tried either with Lola but we do have her on a low dose of temaril-P (vanacty-P), 1 pill per day. It's a combination steroid/anti-histamine that is usually dosed at 6 pills per day and weaned down to 0.5 pills and then nothing over the course of two weeks. Nipped her allergies completely in the bud. But they came back after the big round, and we found a low dose of 1 pill per day with breakfast is enough to keep the itchies at bay. Also, very minimal side effects (i.e., hunger, thirst, aggression) with the low dose. I can't speak to the long term effects, she's been on it for about a year straight. Sometimes we can wean her off in winter, not this winter though despite the 7 feet of snow boston got.

our vet will give us 5 months at a time, varies in price, i think we're at around .75/pill. I've seen it online for like 59c/pill.
 

nycbullymama

Well-known member
Dec 22, 2012
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476
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usa
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b and w
We haven't tried either with Lola but we do have her on a low dose of temaril-P (vanacty-P), 1 pill per day. It's a combination steroid/anti-histamine that is usually dosed at 6 pills per day and weaned down to 0.5 pills and then nothing over the course of two weeks. Nipped her allergies completely in the bud. But they came back after the big round, and we found a low dose of 1 pill per day with breakfast is enough to keep the itchies at bay. Also, very minimal side effects (i.e., hunger, thirst, aggression) with the low dose. I can't speak to the long term effects, she's been on it for about a year straight. Sometimes we can wean her off in winter, not this winter though despite the 7 feet of snow boston got.

our vet will give us 5 months at a time, varies in price, i think we're at around .75/pill. I've seen it online for like 59c/pill.

One of the long term effects of steroids is liver damage. Temaril-P is a very low dosage though so who knows..
But that's the only reason I didn't go that route with Blue since his allergies are year round, and he was on either Temaril-P or Prednisone every 4 months on average.
BUT, I was also told that there's something "steroidal" (is that even a word?) about Apoquel as well. But for whatever reason, it's not considered a steroid.

Apoquel can be used with immunotherapy so I probably will do it until we get his paws under control. There's also no weaning period, you can take them right off.
 
OP
hnhammond

hnhammond

New member
Aug 20, 2012
470
33
Los Angeles, CA
Country
USA
Bulldog(s) Names
Matilda (Tilly)
  • Thread Starter
  • Thread starter
  • #7
Hey guys! Til has been on Apoquel for two weeks now... already looks so much better! It looks like this is going to work out for us :)
 

santinomom

New member
Jan 22, 2013
242
14
Rochester, New York
Bulldog(s) Names
Santino
Santino has been on apoquel for about 9 mths and it truly IS a miracle drug !!!!! He is 8 yrs old and has suffered with allergies most is his life and now he looks the best he's ever looked with no side effects! It's worth every cent! We tried atopica and temeril-p, and allergy shots as well and nothing worked ! Apoquel is truly the way to go!


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TyTysmom

Moderator
Nov 4, 2014
5,474
392
Katy, TX
Country
USA
Bulldog(s) Names
Tyson aka "Ty-Ty"
Santino has been on apoquel for about 9 mths and it truly IS a miracle drug !!!!! He is 8 yrs old and has suffered with allergies most is his life and now he looks the best he's ever looked with no side effects! It's worth every cent! We tried atopica and temeril-p, and allergy shots as well and nothing worked ! Apoquel is truly the way to go!


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Ugh I wish our vet had it!


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BodiesMom

New member
Feb 18, 2014
252
18
Eastern NC
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USA
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Bodie
Well, my Bodie has had bad allergy issues since he turned 1. He's 5 1/2 now. His manifest in itchy, scaly, red, sores ALL OVER HIS BODY! Basically a secondary bacterial infection caused by the allergies. He'll then get yeasty on all paws, nose rope, eye/tear stain areas, cheeks, chin, neck, and tail/tail pocket. Bodie has allergies/sensitivities to: grass, dust mites, storage mites, pollen, molds, latex, fragranced candles and air fresheners, slight sensitivity to cotton! Then for foods: Turkey, all fish, carrots, gluten gum paste, duck rye, grains, corn, and cows milk! So basically, everything!!!!!
He was on Atopica for 8+ months, with no results. He was still breaking out while taking it. So, we discussed with the vet, and took him off of it, no weaning was req'd. When the vet(dermatology specialist) told us our options, there were 2. One was Atopica, which has a 98% success rate; other was immunotherapy, which has a 50% success rate, with both options having the same end result, remission. So, of course we went with the 98% success rate, Atopica. Then after it didn't help, a year or so later we were told about a "new miracle drug" called Apoquel. But, at the same time, was told that it was on back order, so we couldn't get it. A while later, our vet started to get small shipments, every other month. So, each vet at the facility could only have 1 patient prescribed on Apoquel, luckily, our vet chose Bodie because she said he has the "worst case" she's ever encountered. Just within the last 2-3 months, our vet now gets full stock monthly, so all vets should be receiving full supply shortly if they haven't already! But...as for Bodie, Apoquel has only decreased his itchiness about halfway. But, any relief for our baby is worth it. But it has not been a "miracle drug" by any means...unhappy face...
 

NicosMom

Member
Jan 23, 2015
141
7
Michigan
Country
USA
Bulldog(s) Names
Nico & Lexi (RIP Tia 6/08-5/19)
My pups along with licking paws have the red and watery eyes, will Apoquel help with that or is it just he itchy skin?
 

nycbullymama

Well-known member
Dec 22, 2012
5,182
476
Country
usa
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b and w
My pups along with licking paws have the red and watery eyes, will Apoquel help with that or is it just he itchy skin?

It will help with the paws if they're licking because it itches. So if you put them on Apoquel, you'll still need to keep the paws clean and free of yeast and bacteria. If you can do that, the licking should stop.
Don't think it will help the eyes though.

Just so you know, it does not help all dogs. You'll know by the 2nd day if it works for yours though.
 

punky

New member
Mar 19, 2010
732
41
washington, west virginia
Country
usa
Bulldog(s) Names
porkchop, abbey, gucci and rocky,
my abbey is on apoquel 5.4 mil and it is amazing.. she acts like a whole different dog.. i can tell she feels better.. although, it isnt cheap either... i pay $100 dollars here where i live for 60 tablets.. she has to take 2 a day so that is only a one month supply.. i have been researching to find it cheaper but no luck yet.. i am hoping that she will be able to gradually go down to just 1 a day and then none.. HOPING anyway.. good luck..i havent tried atopica but i am very happy with how the apoquel has helped her..
 

punky

New member
Mar 19, 2010
732
41
washington, west virginia
Country
usa
Bulldog(s) Names
porkchop, abbey, gucci and rocky,
my abbey is on apoquel 5.4 mil and it is amazing.. she acts like a whole different dog.. i can tell she feels better.. although, it isn't cheap either... i pay $100 dollars here where i live for 60 tablets.. she has to take 2 a day so that is only a one month supply.. i have been researching to find it cheaper but no luck yet.. i am hoping that she will be able to gradually go down to just 1 a day and then none.. HOPING anyway.. good luck..i haven't tried atopica but i am very happy with how the apoquel has helped her..oh.. and my vet said it was safer then the steroids.. she hasn't had any issues from the pill at all.. i will also call it the miracle drug.. just wish it was cheaper..
 

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