Apoquel

[M.F.]

Snowie has just started on Apoquel. Started on Tuesday evening—1 tablet after supper. The loading dose is 1 tablet twice a day for 14 days, but our vet said we can reduce it at any time once the itching stops, and stop altogether any time if he’s no longer itchy. Well, this tablet is magic!! No longer scratching non-stop under his armpits or furiously licking and nibbling his groin area. Or rubbing his snotty nose on everything.

Today is the 2nd morning but we’ve not given him a morning dose. Will stick with the evening dose and see how it goes. He’s been very sleepy, but that might just be because he’s so relaxed now.

I realise all drugs have consequences, good and bad. But we feel his quality of life is more important now at 10 years old. The vet said side effects include vomiting and diarrhoea. Thankfully neither. She gave me the insert to read. I’m sure there are other side effects after long term use. I haven’t read it yet (frightened to!).

 

[MellowYellow]

I agree - quality of life now. Fingers crossed the apoquel continues to work so well for him, and also that you can reduce or stop it totally once he stops itching.

 

[kateincornwall]

Sam had this for the last year of his life as his lymphoma caused awful itching , it worked like a dream with no visible side effects, so good luck to Snowie xx

 

[SwampDonkey]

Rory has used it with no side effects.

 

[M.F.]

Snowie has not scratched all day. So we didn’t give him any dose today. Will see how it goes. He has been very sleepy at home, but yet on his walks he is very lively. He did have a very energetic morning on the beach this morning with a lot of time barking at me while I was in the sea. He won’t go deeper than he can stand, but when a wave comes, he ends up surfing into shore. I think this is pretty exhausting.

 

[Naya]

Harry is on Apoquel too and it has been great. No side effects and it stopped the itching. My OH forgot to give it to her Thursday night and by last night she was itching again.

 

[M.F.]

@Naya I ended up giving him a tablet last night. We were getting ready to go to sleep and he started scratching under his armpit. Didn’t want to take a chance that he’d start his nighttime furious licking of his groin area. But I think tonight we’ll halve the tablet and see how that goes rather than not giving it all. I remember when he took ordinary prednisone that he needed such a tiny amount to see an effect. The vet was amazed how low the effective dose was. Hopefully now his skin will heal quickly and he will feel less itchy altogether.

 

[Naya]

Sounds like a good plan to reduce the dose as much as possible. Harley was on 2 a day, now just the 1. I will try and reduce the dose over the next week too. I am glad it is helping Snowie

 

[M.F.]

I gave him half a tablet last night and he hasn’t scratched at all. Such relief for all of us!!

I hope Harley is feeling less itchy, too. xxx