Dogs and Dermatitis

Do you have a dog that suffers from seasonal allergies or other allergies that cause your furry friend to constantly scratch and chew to try and relieve itching?

Many dogs suffer from constant itching and, in order to help soothe the skin and reduce the itching, we are advised to give them medicated baths, usually containing oatmeal. Some pups that have serious issues are often prescribed medications containing steroids, such as Prednisone, or an antihistamine.

A client of ours whose pup was scratching and chewing himself to the point of making his skin raw was recently taken to another vet for help and was prescribed a drug called Apoquel.

Unlike other drugs prescribed by vets, this drug tends to have milder side effects compared to drugs like Prednisone and Cyclosporine. This drug can start to work in as little as four to twenty-four hours to reduce your pet’s itching.

Your pet must be at least one year old to take this particular medication and, as with any medication, can cause some side effects.

This medication is given orally as a pill and is generally prescribed to be given twice a day for two weeks and then reduced to once a day to maintain its benefits, or can be given seasonally as needed. Unlike steroid drugs, it can be stopped immediately without weaning it off.

So, if your four legged friend has allergies that cause excessive itching and chewing, check out Apoquel. As with any medication for your pet, look into the pros and cons with your vet first before starting something new. Our client has had great success with her pup since using Apoquel and hopefully you may find it will help your pet as well.