An antibody called immunoglobulin E (IgE) is produced when the body detects an allergen, says Samuel White, PhD, a professor of equine science at Nottingham Trent University, in England, known for his research on allergen identification and diagnostic development in the horse. Gonzales AJ, Humphrey WR, Messamore JE, et al. In the first 2 randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trials, it was shown that oclacitinib, given at a dose of 0.4 to 0.6 mg/kg q12h, induced a rapid reduction in pruritus and treatment success in 62.3% to 67% of treated cases within 7 to 14 days. Her allergies have reared their ugly heads again - no jowl pyoderma, but ears itching. There are a few medication protocols for horses with Equine Asthma. 2. You'd do anything for your pet. . 20. The powerful network of cells and antibodies known as the immune system can recognize dangerous invaders and disarm them before they hurt the host. She adds, however, that some horses allergy signs are so dramatic that corticosteroids are the most logical choice, at least initially. One of my horses was tested at New Bolton (he has since passed away) and I was told that a serum wasnt possible or effective for most of his food-bourne allergies. Alternatively, your veterinarian may be able to show you some techniques. During this period, the drug is administered twice daily, with an interval of 12 hours. Cats have been reported to drink more water while receiving this drug and also experience be- havior changes while receiving hydroxyzine. Each dosage is sold per tablet, in 20 count, or 100 count bottles. Saridomichelakis MN, Olivry T. An update on the treatment of canine atopic dermatitis. Its an easy and cost-free strategy you can do yourself. Dosage Chart To overcome its delayed effect, cyclosporine is often initially combined with other drugs such as prednisolone to accelerate the anti-inflammatory and antipruritic effects. Dexamethasone: EZ Dose Micro Transdermal Gel, Dexamethasone: Twist-a-Dose Transdermal Gel, Discussion Guide for Pet Owners and Veterinarians, Medication Information for Pet and Horse Owners. My Docs are among the first in the country to use this drug on itchy and wheezy horses. Oclacitinib was well tolerated in both studies. One of the things the trials found on using apoquel with horses is that they need a relatively small dose. Then reintroduce each, one by one, while monitoring for hives or other signs of allergies. But Im not sure how much the long term cost will be yet. J Vet Pharmacol Ther 2014;37(3):279-285. Topics. Not really cheap any way you shake it, but considering that she was on zyretc, dex, smarthbreathe ultra, respi-free previously. They result in the production of antibodies that block the allergy-causing IgE from recognizing the allergen, thus preventing the associated symptoms.. This drug has been used in dogs with some pretty fabulous results. This includes dietary supplements, shampoos, liniments, fly sprays, coat conditioners, etc. J Vet Pharmacol Ther 2014;37(4):317-324. Aymeric E, Bensignor E. A case of presumed autoimmune subepidermal blistering dermatosis treated with oclacitinib. BMC Vet Res 2019;15(1):137. Researchers have proven flaxseed reduces skin lesions in IBH horses (ONeill et al., 2002). Even though the drug is currently labeled for use in dogs (with allergic dermatitis), initial studies show that horses absorb it well, Fultz says. This site is intended for US animal healthcare professionals. Oclacitinib should not be given in dogs younger than 12 months of age due to an increased risk for activating demodicosis, bacterial pneumonia, and other serious infections. Do not use in breeding, pregnant, or lactating dogs. Because many respiratory allergies come from the dust in hay and bedding, veterinarians generally recommend maximizing fresh-air time through turnout. She would be a scratching mess without it. The tablets come in three dose sizes: 3.6mg 5.4mg 16mg Always give the dose prescribed by your veterinarian. Most recently, it was suggested that the treatment strategy for canine atopic dermatitis might need to be adjusted. Equine Nutrition FAQ Series, sponsored by Purina Animal Nutrition. Administer it orally in the mouth of the or mix it in the dog food. I often recommend switching your Asthma horse off of regular hay and trying a period of hay-replacement to see if it helps. According to the manufacturer's dosage chart, a large breed weighing between 130 and 175lbs should take two Apoquel 16mg daily. Binding of these cytokines to their receptors activates the JAK-STAT (signal transducers and activators of transcription) pathway, which leads to further cytokine production. How Should It Be Given? Equine Asthma- yep, that's the new name for "heaves," "RAO," "COPD" or whatever else we've called it over the years! Preventing bites is key, because itching-inflicted injury to hair follicles and skin can take months to heal. Zyrtec: The human antihistamine may be beneficial in a small proportion of horses with Equine Asthma. J Biol Chem 2007;282(28):20059-20063. That's why dosage is usually tapered down to the lowest effective dose. We. In this study, 70% of the study population receiving oclacitinib showed improvement in pruritus compared with 75% in a group receiving methylprednisolone.18 Based on this study, a higher dose with a longer induction period seems to be the key to successfully treating feline pruritus with oclacitinib. Apoquel Dosage in Dogs Apoquel tablets for dogs comes strengths of 3.6mg, 5.4 mg and 16mg of oclacitinib per tablet. However, the twice-daily use must not last for more than 14 days. Option 4 is an oral tablet called Apoquel. The recommended dose of Apoquel for dogs is 0.18 to 0.27 mg per pound of body weight. Even though the drug is currently labeled for use in dogs (with allergic dermatitis), initial studies show that horses absorb it well, Fultz says. The Janus kinases (Jaks). Your veterinarian might also prescribe corticosteroids such as dexamethasone or prednisolone, which provide fast and effective relief from immune-mediated conditions such as allergies because of their immunosuppressive properties. and unfortunately grass and dust are the main culprits. For more information, please see the full Prescribing Information. More studies are necessary to confirm oclacitinibs effects in non-allergic diseases and what other immune-mediated mechanisms may be involved. Like most treatments, this medication will not be successful in every horse, but if it does work, it avoids the risks associated with steroids. Dosing Chart Warnings The American company "Zoetis Inc" created the drug Apoquel, which deservedly occupies a leading position among drugs for eliminating itching in dogs, regardless of its etiology. The most common side effect is lethargy, dry mouth, and urinary retention. Oclacitinib, a Janus kinase inhibitor, has become an important drug in the management of allergic pruritus. Allergies primarily affect the immune, respiratory, and integumentary (skin) systems and, if unmanaged, can seriously impact an animals performance and well-being. Panteri A, Strehlau G, Helbig R, et al. Dexamethasone is a synthetic corticosteroid hormone used to manage inflammation in diseases or conditions in which the immune system has a significant role. 15. Vercelli A, Cornegliani L. Use of oclacitinib for the treatment of acral lick dermatitis in a dog: a case report. Dr. Nao Hensel obtained her doctor of veterinary medicine degree from Colorado State University in 2010. 9. Im hoping those are things I can stop giving, so that will help some with overall cost. 11. It's touted as being "a fast-acting and safe treatment for the control of acute and chronic canine pruritus." Pruritus means itching. Pros and cons of oclacitinib therapy. Apoquel Overdose Information Dogs that received overdoses in safety studies had side effects that included one or more of the following: vomiting, diarrhea, cysts between the toes, skin inflammation, papilloma's (warts), pneumonia, enlarged lymph nodes, and decreased blood cell production. Apoquel can only be obtained with a prescription; it is available as film-coated tablets and chewable tablets in different strengths to cover a range of dog weights. Apoquel is typically administered in tablet form at 0.4-0.6mg per kilo of body weight, or 0.18-0.27mg per pound of body weight, every 12 hours or twice a day. Because its essentially impossible to predict these events, its important to keep records of your horses previous reactions and communicate them to your veterinarian. Nobody wants to be itchy and constantly scratching. It is no surprise we see this omega-3-rich plant with anti-inflammatory and antioxidative properties in many skin and allergy supplements. These reports suggest the potential use of oclacitinib in other diseases; however, it cannot be stressed enough that the use of oclacitinib in these diseases is an off-label use. She reports choosing Apoquel over corticosteroids in several of her allergic patients that are also at risk for developing laminitis. Oclacitinib is available in 3 different tablet sizes: 3.6, 5.4, and 16 mg. Now divide the 10,000 mg by the 500 mg in the concentration. Read on below! But I had my mare tested last year, she also came up allergic to some foods (flax being one) for which I was told serum was not an option. Apoquel. Bursatti, Leeches) in Dogs, Cats and Horses. The recommended Apoquel dosage for dogs is 0.18 to 0.27 mg per lb of body weight (0.4-0.6 mg/kg) once a day. Milder cases of asthma are still associated with coughing, airway inflammation, mucous production, and poor performance.. Vet Dermatol 2014;25(6):512-518. These might include antihistamines such as cetirizine, which you can buy over the counter as Zyrtec from any drug store or pharmacy, or hydroxyzine, which requires a veterinary prescription. 15. A follow-up study assessed the long-term safety, efficacy, and quality of life of oclacitinib-treated dogs. I had a cat on it years ago and it was $$$$ but it was the only thing that worked for her. Anecdotal reports indicate that oclacitinib is not very effective in managing recurrent and/or chronic otitis and interdigital furunculosis associated with allergies, and a sudden loss of efficacy is often associated with bacterial or. Most commonly, horses develop an allergy to the saliva of biting insects (e.g., gnats, black flies, stable flies, horn flies) known as, While relatively safe for use in most horses, these potent anti-inflammatory drugs can cause a serious potential side effect in some individuals: an increased risk of developing the debilitating hoof disease. Apoquel starts relieving allergic dog itch and inflammation due to skin allergies within 4 hours and controls it within 24 hours. I am not saying it is a cure all, but that and some generic Zyrtec make my mare a whole lot more comfortable. Apoquel may increase the chances of developing serious infections, and may cause existing parasitic skin infestations or pre-existing cancers to get worse. A blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled trial of the efficacy and safety of the Janus kinase inhibitor oclacitinib (Apoquel) in client-owned dogs with atopic dermatitis. Oclacitinib maleate is used twice daily for two weeks and then dropped to a maintenance dose of once daily. It generally reduces itching very quickly within 24 hours and is felt to be as effective as corticosteroids. For this first stretch, thats not going to get me too far since I need the loading dose up front. Intradermal allergy testing is the gold standard for this and involves a veterinary dermatologist subcutaneously injecting very small quantities of potential allergens into a clipped patch of the horses neck. Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA (known as MSD outside of the US and Canada) is dedicated to using the power of leading-edge science to save and improve lives around the world. All dogs itch sometimes, but when you notice it happening more and more, it could be a sign of a medical condition. The Janus kinases (Jaks). At that point, the treatment can be changed to oclacitinib. Log in to fill, refill or renew the medication prescribed by your veterinarian. Immunotherapy, also called hyposensitization therapy, is a strategy used to gain allergen-specific immune tolerance, says Fultz. 3. If the patient remains stable and other controlling measures-such as allergen avoidance, allergen immunotherapy, and preventive topical therapyhave been implemented, the use of oclacitinib can be limited to flare control.16, Although oclacitinib is licensed for use in dogs, it has been reported to be effective to treat pruritus in allergic diseases in other species, including cats.17-20 shutterstock.com/Thrithot, Although oclacitinib is licensed for use in dogs, it has been reported to be effective to treat pruritus in allergic diseases in other species, including cats.17-20. Apoquel is a prescription medication used to treat itching and inflammation in dogs. Powered by Discourse, best viewed with JavaScript enabled. This content is intended for counseling purposes only. Cochet Faivre N, Degorce-Rubiales F. Clinical eosinophilic popular dermatitis associated with histological eosinophilic granuloma rapidly responsive to oclacitinib in an adult Labrador retriever. While efficacy was comparable to that observed in the previous studies, significant positive effects on the dogs quality of life were observed in >91.5% of cases after 630 days. Licorice Roo t (Glycyrrhiza glabra) This sweet and soothing herb has been used medicinally for over 3,000 years. Vet Dermatol 2017;28(5):485-e113. 1800PetMeds is your online pet store offering discount prices on pet supplies, medications, vitamins and supplements for your pet. But the immune system is not a perfect one. Like other medications in its class, it may also be used off . Freedom of Information Summary NADA 141-345 Oclacitinib in feline nonflea-, nonfood-induced hypersensitivity dermatitis: results of a small prospective pilot study of client-owned cats. Its expensive, but its working. Cosgrove SB, Wren JA, Cleaver DM, et al. Hay replacement consists of any of the following: a complete pelleted diet, soaked alfalfa cubes, hay pellets, or possibly a bagged forage product like Chaffhaye. Vet Dermatol Dawn M. Cleaver, DVM Associate Director, Regulatory Affairs Acupuncture: It appears that some horses with Equine Asthma can benefit from acupuncture to help with breathing function. Apoquel delivers onset of relief within 4 hours and effectively controls itching within 24 hours. In the first pilot study, oclacitinib (0.4 to 0.6 mg/kg, q12h for 14 days, then q24h for 14 days) was used to treat pruritus in cats with non-flea, nonfood-induced hypersensitivity dermatitis. Oral . Dosing Chart Contraindications Blood was collected prior to drug administration and at 15 min, 30 min, 45 min, 1, 2, 4, 6, 8 . As a result, muscles relax and cause heavy sedation, notes DailyMed. I havent noticed any abnormal side effects. While this is a very important strategy for some types of Equine Asthma ("classic" RAO), it may not be as important when managing those with Summer-Pasture-Associated disease. Thereafter the dose should be reduced to once daily for maintenance. So new drugs such Atopica and Apoquel are prescribed routinely, to help dog owners find a quick fix for dog allergies. This product came to the market in the US in Fall 2020. Banovic F, Tarigo J, Gordon H, et al. Clenbuterol dilates the airways, and may improve air flow, but it doesn't treat the inflammation associated with the disease. Search term . All product and company names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders. Stay up-to-date on the latest news about your horse's health with FREE newsletters from TheHorse.com. Find out more. Interestingly, the results suggest that oclacitinib has immunosuppressive properties, but only at a higher dosage than that approved on the label.30. A blinded, randomized clinical trial comparing the efficacy and safety of oclacitinib and ciclosporin for the control of atopic dermatitis in client-owned dogs. He stayed on as a faculty member until 2013, when he decided to move back to Switzerland to open his own dermatology clinic in his hometown of Basel in 2014. Dosage options starting at $0.25 per dose. This option has somewhat fewer risks than option 1, has a higher initial cost ($1,000 for the nebulizer mask), but a lower monthly cost- $20-$40/month. 29. Submit Office Orders & Patient Prescriptions. My mare started on 5 pills every day and then we were able to move her down to 5 pills every other day. Allergies are generally managed based on the severity of clinical signs. Most common side effects are vomiting and diarrhea. These can be severe and lead to a life-threatening, airway-blocking, whole-body reaction called anaphylaxis. Therefore, the recommended initial dosage for dogs 6.6-9.9 lbs is of a 3.6 mg tablet twice daily. A blinded, randomized clinical trial comparing the efficacy and safety of oclacitinib and ciclosporin for the control of atopic dermatitis in client-owned dogs. Let's look at the differences between these two medications, as well as some other treatment options for your dog's allergies. The dose of Apoquel tablets is 0.18 to 0.27 mg/lb of body weight. 8. Vet Dermatol 2015;26:297 (abstract). Long term itch reduction. Pollen and other plant-based aeroallergens are the source of their distress, and they fare much better inside, Many allergens can cause skin reactions. Thank you! By blocking cytokines, Apoquel blocks your dog's skin from itching and inflammation. Because one of mine had similar food allergies and I was told the serum would not address that. Intradermal allergy testing is the gold standard for this and involves a veterinary dermatologist subcutaneously injecting very small quantities of potential allergens into a clipped patch of the horses neck. Pulsoni D, Freire A, Ferreira DR. Juvenile-onset ischemic dermatopathy. APOQUEL may be administered with or without food. The dosages of oclacitinib of 1 mg/kg and 2 mg/kg were chosen because the dosages used for dogs (0.4-0.6 mg/kg) were not shown to be very effective in cats [ 18 ], and the higher dosage range of 0.8-1.3 appeared to be more effective in allergic cats [ 22 ]. So I think cost becomes dependent on that. Oclacitinib is available in 3 different tablet sizes: 3.6, 5.4, and 16 mg. What company did you use? Vet Dermatol 2013;24(5):479-e114. Why Do Some Horses Develop Respiratory EHV-1 and Others EHM? However, these studies have shown that oclacitinib can be a good alternative therapy to treat feline pruritus, especially for patients that do not respond to other treatments or do not tolerate steroids. 18. Apoquel can be administered with or without food. 3. Six adult horses with a mean weight of 528 kg were administered a single dose of 0.5 mg/kg oclacitinib maleate. This encourages the natural drainage of irritants, allergens, and bacteria from the airways.. 13. The dosage for dogs 15-19.9 lbs is one 3.6 mg tablet twice daily. Oclacitinib in feline nonflea-, nonfood-induced hypersensitivity dermatitis: results of a small prospective pilot study of client-owned cats. Specifically, studies in cats have used the following dosage: Initially, doses ranging from 0.4 to 1.2 mg/kg body weight, twice daily, for 24-28 days. Clenbuterol should only be used short-term, since it will stop working with long-term administration. Vet Dermatol 2019;30(2):87-90. Recently, one group has looked into immunomodulatory properties of oclacitinib by observing canine T-cell proliferation and cytokine productions in vitro. Option 2 is the Aservo Equihaler. 2: The Barn and Pasture: Horses with Summer-Pasture-Associated disease usually have less symptoms when kept in the barn during the warmer months. Fukuyama T, Ganchingco JR, Bumer W. Demonstration of rebound phenomenon following abrupt withdrawal of the JAK1 inhibitor oclacitinib. Im currently struggling with my horses allergies. Ultimately, my vet did not recommend we go down that route. Pruritus is a common clinical sign in allergic skin diseases. Noli C, Matricoti I, Schievano C. A double-blinded, randomized, methylprednisolone-controlled study on the efficacy of oclacitinib in the management of pruritus in cats with nonflea nonfood-induced hypersensitivity dermatitis. In the first pilot study, oclacitinib (0.4 to 0.6 mg/kg, q12h for 14 days, then q24h for 14 days) was used to treat pruritus in cats with non-flea, nonfood-induced hypersensitivity dermatitis. If you mix it in their food, ensure that your pet chews the treatment rather than swallowing it without chewing for effective results. While oclacitinib is a very effective and fast-acting antipruritic drug, the decision of when to use it depends on various factors. 16. Rosenkrantz WS, Bourgeois AS. Vet Dermatol 2015;26(4):235-e52. Several reports of successful use of oclacitinib to treat other diseases have been published. Collard WT, Hummel BD, Fielder AF, et al. not random, very relevant and helpful! Allergen avoidance and allergen-specific immunotherapy are measures that address the allergy itself; various drugs are available for symptomatic management. More severe ones, however, can truly take a toll on your horses health and make him miserable. This regimen may work better because oclacitinib has a short half-life of 4 hours. Oclacitinib can be given without food and may be discontinued without tapering. In many cases, symptomatic therapy alone with drugs such as oclacitinib is insufficient to control allergies long-term. That was 5-6 years ago now. . Unlike steroids, the drug has minimal impact on the immune system. But it will take me through a month if I stay at every other after the loading. Then, doses ranging from 0.4 to 1.2 mg/kg body weight once daily. That something could very well be allergy-induced asthma. Dosage and Administration: The dose of APOQUEL (oclacitinib maleate) tablets is 0.18 to 0.27 mg oclacitinib/lb (0.4 to 0.6 mg oclacitinib/kg) body weight, administered orally, twice daily for up to 14 days, and then administered once daily for maintenance therapy. Unlike some other allergy. Side effects have been rarely seen and documented, but the most common occurrences have been mild vomiting and diarrhea. The second option is serum (blood) testing. The dose range is very strict, I do not recommend going above the recommended dose due to immune suppression, below the range and it doesn't seem to work in most cases. She reports choosing Apoquel over corticosteroids in several of her allergic patients that are also at risk for developing laminitis. APOQUEL FOR DOGS DOSE. So I want to make sure she has the support she needs to acclimate to hot humid summer weather. See how Apoquel works differently from steroids and cyclosporines, Discover how Apoquel can relieve allergic itch through an 8-week food trial, Hear from your peers about why Apoquel is their first choice for allergic itch relief, Explore the United States of Apoquel to see how Apoquel has benefited veterinarians in your region, Hear real stories of allergic itch relief from pet owners, See how Zoetis Petcare Rewards can benefit your practice, Informational resources for you to download and utilize within your practice, Provide additional information about Apoquel to pet owners with these resources, Continue therapy once daily (SID) thereafter for maintenance. 5. If she suspects a product or ingredient to be the source of an allergic reaction, Fultz recommends performing elimination trials. The efficacy and safety of oclacitinib have been assessed in various studies. Sometimes it goes overboard and reacts in the face of a generally harmless substancewhich the body begins to recognize as an allergenand an allergic reaction occurs. We recommend Platinum Skin and Allergy or Aleira. 5. on various factors. Shes on 5 pills once a day for 7 days, after that we will drop to every other day, and then see how far we can space it out. Some allergic reactions are unexpected, as White has realized through his research. Apoquel should be shipped with extreme caution when temperature is below 35 degrees Fahrenheit. Dr. Barbara Forney is a veterinary practitioner in Chester County, Pennsylvania. Most horses in our area of North Carolina are "Summer-Pasture-Associated" asthma patients, so we recommend starting yearly treatment or management in March or April. 28. View more. One of the things the trials found on using apoquel with horses is that they need a relatively small dose. APQ-01043R3, halved to ensure that the ingredients are equally distributed. Safety & Side Effects Apoquel is safe to use in dogs one year and older. Lucile Vigouroux holds a masters degree in Equine Performance, Health, and Welfare from Nottingham Trent University (UK) and an equine veterinary assistant certification from AAEVT. Rarely, dogs on Apoquel develop new skin masses; however, a long-term study found no association between Apoquel and the development of malignant cancer. Because insects are omnipresent in the horses environment at least some portion of the year, IBH is particularly labor-intensive to manage. Banovic F, Tarigo J, Gordon H, et al. to 14 days, and then administered once daily for maintenance therapy. 17. On the label for dogs, Apoquel is used every 12 hours for the first 14 days of use, then backed down to dosing every 24 hours once a day. Apoquel is an anti-itch tablet given twice daily for the first . It is an anti-inflammatory drug from the class of drugs known as Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors. The compounded medications featured in this content have been prescribed and/or administered by prescribers who work with Wedgewood Pharmacy. When your dog is itchy, you get desperate to make him feel more comfortable. Vercelli A, Cornegliani L. Use of oclacitinib in treatment of canine idiopathic ear tip vasculitis. Her asthma had gotten so bad I thought I wouldnt be able to ride her again, but now we are back to w-t-c. She is down to every other day. The dose of Apoquel tablets is 0.18-0.27 mg/lb (0.4-0.6 mg/kg). Proc (Bayl Univ Med Cent) 2018;31(4):524-525. Apoquel has not been tested in dogs receiving some medications including some commonly used to treat skin conditions such as corticosteroids and cyclosporines. Unless my vet (and an unaffiliated nutritionist) I consulted are wrong-- I was told that allergy serum is only possible/effective for some allergies and a lot of food-based ones are not on the list. Helpful steps you can take include providing full-body fly apparel, applying fly spray liberally, avoiding turnout at dusk and dawn, and using fans in stalls to disrupt insect flying patterns. Feline idiopathic ulcerative dermatosis treated successfully with oclacitinib. After remission, some dogs were well controlled with a tapered dose of oclacitinib (0.2 to 0.5 mg/kg q24h), but some needed a higher dose (0.6 to 0.7 mg/kg q12h) to avoid relapse.28,29 The exact mechanisms of oclacitinib in these diseases are unknown; however, the need for daily administration of oclacitinib indefinitely to control the disease suggests that oclacitinib plays a role in controlling the disease. Soaking hay can be time-consuming but is vital to helping horses that are showing signs of respiratory allergy., Feeding hay at ground level offers an added benefit: To maximize respiratory health, horses should spend portions of the day with their heads down, the way nature intended, she adds. The Feed: One of the most common recommendations for managing Equine Asthma has always been to stop feeding hay. Use of them does not imply any affiliation with or endorsement by them. Vet Dermatol 2016;27(Suppl 1):100 (abstract). In fact, in our. Treatment may then be continued at the same dose given once a day. For years, glucocorticoids and cyclosporine have been used for the symptomatic management of atopic dermatitis, including the associated pruritus. Lopes NL, Campos DR, Machado MA, et al. Apoquel has been used safely with many common medications including parasiticides, antibiotics and vaccines.