Itchy, Allergic Dog

For the last 8 years, we have struggled to find relief for our YLF who has had worsening itchy skin and feet from allergies. For the first couple of years, we tried different diets, thinking that it might be a food allergy. Eventually we got allergy testing done, and discovered that Bonnie had food and plant allergies of many types. As a keen working upland and waterfowl dog, living in rural Saskatchewan,allergen avoidance was hard to manage.

Over the years, she was prescribed antihistamines (Benadryl, Reactine, and Claritin), cyclosporine (Atopica), and prednisone. The vet bills mounted, but we never found anything which worked really well for her. Two years ago, I heard of a new drug called Apoquel (made by Zoetis in the USA) but the drug was not available here due to supply shortages. Finally last week, our vet said it was now available in Canada, and we ordered it right away. It is a new class of drug which works in a different way than the others we had tried. In a nutshell, it inhibits the stimulation of inflammatory cells and neurons, which controlled atopic dermatitis and the itching which accompanies it.

We are now on day 5 of treatment, and it is astounding how well this stuff works. It had an effect beginning in the 3rd hour after giving the first pill, and withing 5 hours she was visibly relaxed and not scratching or chewing at her feet. I am completely amazed.

This isn't cheap. The first month will be about $250, with the loading dose period of 14 days and then dropping to the maintenance dose. Expensive, but not any more than Atopica, which worked moderately well when combined with antihistamines, but after the second year, it quit working and she had to go back on prednisone. I hope to heaven that this stuff continues to work. Right now she is sleeping like a baby, NO SCRATCHING for days.

We actually had found a vet in Montana who would prescribe and supply Apoquel in 3 month allotments. It was an 8 hour trip each way to take Bonnie there, and was our last resort, but gladly it was not necessary to go.

I have no affiliation with Zoetis, and my only reason for writing this rambling tale is to maybe help someone else who is going through the ordeal of watching an itchy dog who suffers daily, and for whom there seems to be so little relief. For Bonnie, this is a happy, happy day.

Thanks for taking the time to tell us of your findings. It is very helpful to get first hand knowledge on some of these drugs now available to our four legged companions.

It sad that most of the new advances are only available in the US and it requires us to take our pets south for help.

I see that there are a lot of potential side effects to using this drug, lots of websites with postings of problems, so be careful and aware.

http://veterinarynews.dvm360.com/apo...titis?pageID=2

Interesting....very interesting. Thanks again for sharing.

Side effects are something which have always been a big consideration. In the past, we found that antihistamines were quite sedating for Bonnie, and gave moderate control of the itch problem. Prednisone combined with antihistamines allowed us to reduce the dosages of both drugs, but prednisone used long term causes muscle weakness, fatigue, hair loss and liver problems. Cyclosporine was never enough on its own, and we combined it with antihistamines to get moderate control, but with side effects of low energy and sleepiness. The last antihistamine we tried actually gave very good control all on its own. It was recommended by the vet from Montana. It is a first-generation antihistamine called hydroxyzine, and our vets here were totally unfamiliar with it. While we still had snow cover, it worked very well for about two months, no itching, but VERY sedating. When the snow left, and the willows started blooming, Bonnie was in trouble again. We have been managing a balancing act between side effects and itch control for years. Poor Bonnie, nobody should have to live that way, and sometimes it seemed like euthanasia was looming. So far, so good on Apoquel, and we will watch for side effects. The manufacturer's website claims that is has no known drug interactions, and no longterm health fears. For Bonnie, this is the last chance.

I have had dozens of dogs in my lifetime, and never had an allergic dog. I don't know if there is an inherited factor to allergies, but I sure would not breed this dog, just in case.

Very interesting marysburg.
Glad you found something that works. Not a drug I could afford.
My setter itches from April - Oct. Vet thinks it's new grass ooze. Dog survives on Benedryl.
Switched to grain-free in March and will keep her on it until Oct. to see if it makes any difference- twice the price of what I usually feed. If I see no difference she'll go back on Pro Plan Focus.

Sharon, try Costco food and different AH - Claritin, Reactin etc.

Kirkland Domain grain free $48.00 for a 40lb bag.

our lab developed ear infections and fungus from chicken allergy, switched to lamb and dog is great now

Interesting medication marysburg, glad it works for you. Luckily our older male just has some seasonal allergies that diphenhydramine clears up. We also thought his allergies were getting worse, but it turns out he's got Asthma/Bronchitis.

I don't know where you all get your Benedryl, but if you have access to Sam's Club in the US, then I paid about $5 USD for 200 tablets two years ago.

Thanks for all the support. Sometimes during the evening, Bonnie is now showing some very slight itchiness, but it really is going well for her. I believe we will be doing blood panels every 6 months to check for elevated liver enzymes and bone marrow issues. She feels better than she has in years. She will be 12 in August, and is doing victory laps in the yard with a hump in her tail and a crazy grin on her face. Even if she gets one happy year out of this, it will wonderful. We spent a fortune on allergy tests, meds and diets over the years, and she really got limited relief. Apoquel has really changed things. Yippee!