{"id":19734,"date":"2023-06-07T14:11:00","date_gmt":"2023-06-07T13:11:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thelabradorsite.com\/?p=19734"},"modified":"2025-06-19T11:11:57","modified_gmt":"2025-06-19T10:11:57","slug":"apoquel-for-dogs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thelabradorsite.com\/apoquel-for-dogs\/","title":{"rendered":"Apoquel For Dogs &#8211; A Guide To Apoquel Uses, Side Effects And Dosage"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>Apoquel for dogs is a brand name that the drug Oclacitinib Maleate is sold under. It is prescribed by veterinarians to stop the itching sensation caused by dermatitis. Apoquel stops your dog scratching by changing how the immune system acts. When Apoquel enters the bloodstream it blocks particular enzymes, called Janus kinases. They&#8217;re the real troublemakers when it comes to the itchiness and inflammation associated with atopic dermatitis. When these enzymes are blocked, the amount of itchiness and inflammation decreases. This can help dogs by stopping them from damaging their skin with repeated itching or rubbing. Apoquel comes in three different doses, and the one your veterinarian gives your dog will depend on their body weight. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Contents<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><a href=\"#use\">Apoquel uses in dogs<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#safe\">Safety and side effects?<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#dose\">Dosages and methods of administration<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#work\">Does Apoquel always work?<\/a><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"1500\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thelabradorsite.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/Apoquel-for-Dogs-LS-tall.jpg\" alt=\"apoquel for dogs\" class=\"wp-image-29783\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.thelabradorsite.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/Apoquel-for-Dogs-LS-tall.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.thelabradorsite.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/Apoquel-for-Dogs-LS-tall-200x300.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.thelabradorsite.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/Apoquel-for-Dogs-LS-tall-683x1024.jpg 683w, https:\/\/www.thelabradorsite.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/Apoquel-for-Dogs-LS-tall-768x1152.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.thelabradorsite.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/Apoquel-for-Dogs-LS-tall-696x1044.jpg 696w, https:\/\/www.thelabradorsite.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/Apoquel-for-Dogs-LS-tall-280x420.jpg 280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"use\">What is Apoquel Used for Dogs?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Veterinarians prescribe Apoquel to control the itching associated with allergic dermatitis and atopic dermatitis. Dogs with these conditions often have itchy, inflamed skin that can become sore and broken with excessive scratching. When a dog suffers from allergies or sensitivities that cause dermatitis, there are two parts to treating them:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Identifying the allergen so they can be protected from it in future, and<\/li><li>Relieving the discomfort of their symptoms in the meantime.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p>Vets use Apoquel for the second part \u2013 relieving the discomfort of itching. Apoquel manipulates the enzyme which causes inflammation and itching. This should make the<a href=\"https:\/\/www.thelabradorsite.com\/temaril-p\/\"> symptoms of your dog&#8217;s allergy <\/a>much more tolerable. Since scratching the area frequently makes dermatitis exponentially worse, suppressing the need to scratch gives the skin a chance to heal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In a small study at Montgomery Animal Hospital in 2017, vets also reported promising evidence that Apoquel can help to treat dogs with outer ear infections caused by allergic skin disease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"650\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thelabradorsite.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Apoquel-for-Dogs-LS-long.jpg\" alt=\"apoquel for dogs\" class=\"wp-image-26963\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.thelabradorsite.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Apoquel-for-Dogs-LS-long.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.thelabradorsite.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Apoquel-for-Dogs-LS-long-300x163.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.thelabradorsite.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Apoquel-for-Dogs-LS-long-768x416.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.thelabradorsite.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Apoquel-for-Dogs-LS-long-1024x555.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.thelabradorsite.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Apoquel-for-Dogs-LS-long-696x377.jpg 696w, https:\/\/www.thelabradorsite.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Apoquel-for-Dogs-LS-long-1068x579.jpg 1068w, https:\/\/www.thelabradorsite.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Apoquel-for-Dogs-LS-long-775x420.jpg 775w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"safe\">Is Apoquel Safe for Dogs?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Apoquel is the latest in a line of drugs used to help dogs with itchy skin caused by allergic or atopic dermatitis. Zoetis released it in 2013. They are the animal medicine arm of pharmaceutical giant Pfizer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So far no anti-itching drug (including Apoquel) has been created which is completely effective or completely free from side effects. But, in the first clinical trials of Apoquel, 279 dogs benefited from receiving it. Following that trial, they were permitted to continue receiving it directly from the manufacturer until it became commercially available. This was under the FDA&#8217;s Long Term Compassionate Use rules.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Zoetis developed Apoquel as an alternative for dogs who didn&#8217;t benefit from earlier drug therapies or who couldn&#8217;t tolerate their side effects. So, for many dogs it is a safe and effective drug.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe title=\"The World From a Labrador&#039;s Point of View\" width=\"720\" height=\"405\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/7zSW1XVP2_4?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Apoquel Side Effects in Dogs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>In 2015, Zoetis published the long term experiences of the dogs in the first clinical trials. Some of these dogs had been using Apoquel for nearly two years by that point. The most common adverse effects were:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>urinary tract infections<\/li><li>pyoderma (a bacterial skin infection)<\/li><li>otitis (ear infections)<\/li><li>weight gain<\/li><li>vomiting and diarrhea<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"1260\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thelabradorsite.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Apoquel-for-Dogs-LS-tall.jpg\" alt=\"apoquel for dogs\" class=\"wp-image-26964\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.thelabradorsite.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Apoquel-for-Dogs-LS-tall.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.thelabradorsite.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Apoquel-for-Dogs-LS-tall-143x300.jpg 143w, https:\/\/www.thelabradorsite.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Apoquel-for-Dogs-LS-tall-488x1024.jpg 488w, https:\/\/www.thelabradorsite.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Apoquel-for-Dogs-LS-tall-200x420.jpg 200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Some less common side effects also include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>pneumonia<\/li><li>cysts between the toes<\/li><li>demodex mange<\/li><li>lethargy<\/li><li>tremors<\/li><li>blood abnormalities<\/li><li>tumors<\/li><li>seizures<\/li><li>aggression<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>If you notice any adverse side effects, don&#8217;t hesitate to contact your vet. Always stick to the recommended dose. This will usually reduce the likelihood that your dog will have a bad reaction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">A Note About These Effects<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>When a drug is new, it takes time and carefully controlled trials to work out whether the health problems dogs experience whilst taking the drug are because of it. Or whether they would have suffered them anyway. So the term \u201cadverse events\u201d was used in the 2017 Apoquel trial, instead of side effects. This is because it was hard to say whether their frequency in dogs taking Apoquel was higher than in the ordinary dog population.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In a review of her experiences with Apoquel for Pet Dermatology Clinic website, vet Melissa Eisenschenk agrees that incidences of ear infections, weight gain and urinary tract infections are higher in dogs on Apoquel. But, she notes that dogs with allergies tend to be more prone to urinary tract infections anyway. And the weight gain was less than usually seen with other anti-itching drugs. Eisenschenk also reported bone marrow suppression in 1% of dogs taking Apoquel and recommended monitoring to identify these patients.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"819\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thelabradorsite.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/scratching.jpg\" alt=\"Using apoquel for dogs that are scratching\" class=\"wp-image-19743\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.thelabradorsite.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/scratching.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.thelabradorsite.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/scratching-293x300.jpg 293w, https:\/\/www.thelabradorsite.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/scratching-768x786.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.thelabradorsite.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/scratching-356x364.jpg 356w, https:\/\/www.thelabradorsite.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/scratching-696x713.jpg 696w, https:\/\/www.thelabradorsite.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/scratching-410x420.jpg 410w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Does Apoquel Make Dogs Sleepy?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>One of the less common apoquel side effects in dogs is lethargy. So, there is a chance that apoquel will make your dog feel sleepy and cause lower activity levels. If this happens to your dog on apoquel and you are concerned, it is always best to contact your veterinarian to ensure that your dog is not having a bad reaction to the medication. They may suggest a different course of treatment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"dose\">How is Apoquel Given?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Apoquel comes in tablet form only. The tablets come in three dose sizes:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>3.6mg<\/li><li>5.4mg<\/li><li>16mg<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Always give the dose prescribed by your veterinarian. If you struggle to get your dog to take tablets, you can try hiding it in their food, or wrapping it in a tasty piece of meat. Alternatively, your veterinarian may be able to show you some techniques.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"1200\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thelabradorsite.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/apoquel-for-dogs-pin.jpg\" alt=\"apoquel for dogs\" class=\"wp-image-20574\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.thelabradorsite.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/apoquel-for-dogs-pin.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.thelabradorsite.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/apoquel-for-dogs-pin-200x300.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.thelabradorsite.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/apoquel-for-dogs-pin-768x1152.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.thelabradorsite.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/apoquel-for-dogs-pin-683x1024.jpg 683w, https:\/\/www.thelabradorsite.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/apoquel-for-dogs-pin-696x1044.jpg 696w, https:\/\/www.thelabradorsite.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/apoquel-for-dogs-pin-280x420.jpg 280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Apoquel Dosage for Dogs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>No matter what it is treating, the Apoquel dosage for dogs is based on weight:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<table id=\"tablepress-51\" class=\"tablepress tablepress-id-51\">\n<tbody class=\"row-hover\">\n<tr class=\"row-1 odd\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">Dog\u2019s Weight (lbs):<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">3.6mg Tablet:<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">5.4mg Tablet:<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">16mg Tablet:<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-2 even\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">6.6 - 9.9<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">0.5<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">-<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">-<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-3 odd\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">10.0 - 14.9<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">-<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">0.5<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">-<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-4 even\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">15.0 - 19.9<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">1<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">-<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">-<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-5 odd\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">20.0 - 29.9<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">-<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">1<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">-<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-6 even\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">30.0 - 44.9<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">-<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">-<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">0.5<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-7 odd\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">45.0 - 59.9<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">-<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">2<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">-<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-8 even\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">60.0 - 89.9<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">-<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">-<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">1<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-9 odd\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">90.0 - 129.9<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">-<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">-<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">1.5<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-10 even\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">130.0 - 175.9<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">-<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">-<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">2<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n\n<p>So for the most common Labrador weights:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>45 \u2013 59.9lb, a single dose is two 5.4mg tablets<\/li><li>60 \u2013 89.9lb, a single dose is one 16mg tablet<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Your veterinarian will likely start your dog out at two tablets a day for 2 weeks and then reduce it to 1 per day for a duration thereafter. If you miss a dose, speak to your vet about what to do, don\u2019t just double up without their approval.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Every dog is different. Whilst the doses listed here may be the best place to start, your veterinarian might recommend tweaking the dose for reasons specific to your dog. So, if your vet advises a different dose, always follow their advice. They should be happy to discuss their reasoning with you!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How Long Can Dogs Take Apoquel For?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Veterinarians may prescribe Apoquel for short term for dermatological flare ups. Or, they may prescribe it for the long term alongside other medications. This would be in cases of atopic dermatitis or other conditions. If it is no longer needed, Apoquel can be stopped quickly, without needing any gradual tapering off.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Apoquel usually begins to work within a couple of days. And the consensus among vets who have used it is that if it isn&#8217;t working within two weeks, then it isn&#8217;t going to work at all. After the first two weeks, the treatment is usually reduced to one dose a day. This is described as \u201cmaintenance therapy\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Apoquel for Dogs &#8211; Precautions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Apoquel is NOT safe or suitable for your dog if they:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>are less than a year old<\/li><li>have a serious infection<\/li><li>are being used for breeding<\/li><li>are pregnant or nursing puppies<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>In safety studies before Apoquel was released onto the market, puppies under one year old experienced an increased rate of bacterial pneumonia and demodex mange. Your vet might advise against using Apoquel if your Labrador has certain infections. Since it works by suppressing part of the immune system. Your vet might also advise against using Apoquel if your dog has had any kind of tumor in the past.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Drug Interactions<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>A great advantage of Apoquel is that it can be taken at the same time as anti-parasitic drugs or topical ointments for bacterial and fungal skin infections. And it doesn&#8217;t interfere with allergy testing. In fact, current studies have not reported any specific drug interactions with Apoquel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But, it\u2019s important to keep an eye on the most recent research and make sure your veterinarian is aware of any other medication your dog is on. And, your dog should not be taking Apoquel if they fit into any of the categories mentioned in the previous section of this guide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What to Do in Case of Emergency<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Your vet will monitor your dog while they are taking Apoquel for any sign that he&#8217;s not responding well to it. This should include taking blood samples to check bone marrow function. But, like virtually all effective drugs, Apoquel is not without side effects. And because it&#8217;s so new to the market there may be long term side effects which we don&#8217;t fully understand yet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If your dog experiences any minor side effects, report them to your veterinarian. But, if your dog is experiencing more serious side effects, or your vet isn\u2019t available, you may need to go straight to an emergency veterinary clinic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to Store Apoquel for Dogs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Apoquel only comes in tablet form. This means it is easy to store, and usually won\u2019t spoil. Keep it shut away out of your dog\u2019s reach so they can\u2019t consume more than their normal dosage. And out of reach of any children. A dry, dark cupboard is ideal. Keep the tablets away from any water which could seep into the packaging. The packaging of each prescription will have more information on storage, including a potential use by date. On average, shelf life for Apoquel is around two years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"work\">Apoquel for Dogs &#8211; Evidence of Effectiveness<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>In <a href=\"https:\/\/www.apoqueldogs.com\/apoquel_pi.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Zoetis&#8217; own tests<\/a>, 186 out of 216 dogs with allergic or atopic dermatitis (86%) showed an improvement in symptoms within 30 days of taking Apoquel in a blind trial. Veterinary feedback is also quite positive. For instance, <a href=\"http:\/\/vetgirlontherun.com\/veterinary-continuing-education-apoquel-use-allergic-pruritic-dogs-vetgirl-blog\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">vet Nicole Heinrich&#8217;s describes giving Apoquel to 250 dogs<\/a> on the VetGirl blog. Heinrich concludes that it is a promising replacement to steroids. But also stresses the importance of monitoring patients for blood abnormalities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Apoquel is most suited to being used alongside carefully planned immunotherapy to isolate the cause of the itching and build up an appropriate immune response instead of an allergic one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>More recently, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.frontiersin.org\/articles\/10.3389\/fvets.2021.631443\/full\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">a 2021 study compared Apoquel<\/a> to other anti-pruritic therapies in dogs with allergic dermatitis. It found that dogs treated with Apoquel were less likely to need additional antibacterial treatment than those treated with alternative anti-pruritic therapies. And, <a href=\"https:\/\/onlinelibrary.wiley.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1111\/vde.12660\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">in 2018, a study into 10 Beagles with atopic dermatitis<\/a> found that Apoquel delayed the development of dermatitis (itchy, inflamed skin) when an allergen was applied to the area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you have the time and inclination, you can <a href=\"http:\/\/onlinelibrary.wiley.com\/doi\/10.1002\/9781119278368.ch7.2\/pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">read even more feedback from vets<\/a> at a workshop on the pros and cons of Apoquel therapy (including side effects) in 2017.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Is There an Alternative to Apoquel for Dogs?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>So, is there an alternative to Apoquel if it doesn\u2019t help your dog\u2019s symptoms? If Apoquel isn&#8217;t working for your dog, you should contact your vet first. They may be able to prescribe a steroid alternative. Or, they may undergo trials with you to find exactly what is causing your dog\u2019s itching and deal with the problem at its root.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">When Apoquel for Dogs Doesn\u2019t Work<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Remember, Apoquel does not <em>by itself<\/em> cure allergies or dermatitis. Vets usually prescribe Apoquel to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Treat the discomfort of itching while they find and remove the cause of allergic dermatitis<\/li><li>Protect a dogs skin during summer if they get seasonal allergies<\/li><li>Or treat chronic atopic dermatitis over the long term if they never find the cause<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Sadly, atopic dermatitis has a genetic component and is inheritable. <a href=\"http:\/\/veterinarymedicine.dvm360.com\/canine-allergic-dermatitis-pathogenesis-clinical-signs-and-diagnosis?id=&amp;pageID=1&amp;sk=&amp;date=\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Labradors are particularly predisposed to it<\/a>. Apoquel will usually only help ease your dog\u2019s discomfort if they are suffering from atopic or allergic dermatitis. You may need to undergo further tests and trials with your veterinarian to determine the cause of the problem. For instance, moving your dog onto a limited ingredient diet.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Apoquel for dogs is a brand name that the drug Oclacitinib Maleate is sold under. It is prescribed by veterinarians to stop the itching sensation caused by dermatitis. Apoquel stops your dog scratching by changing how the immune system acts. When Apoquel enters the bloodstream it blocks particular enzymes, called Janus kinases. They&#8217;re the real&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":28,"featured_media":29782,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_kad_blocks_custom_css":"","_kad_blocks_head_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_body_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_footer_custom_js":"","_kad_post_transparent":"","_kad_post_title":"","_kad_post_layout":"","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[23],"tags":[221],"class_list":["post-19734","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-labrador-health","tag-fetch"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v23.1 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Apoquel For Dogs - Apoquel Uses, Side Effects And Dosage Explained<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"A guide to Apoquel for dogs. Learn how your pup&#039;s medicine works, and how to give it safely, including the dosage and side effects.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thelabradorsite.com\/apoquel-for-dogs\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Apoquel For Dogs - Apoquel Uses, Side Effects And Dosage Explained\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"A guide to Apoquel for dogs. 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