Apoquel for cats

Apoquel is a veterinary drug used in cats for allergic dermatitis. It effectively and quickly relieves itching and other symptoms associated with this condition. This drug was developed by Zoetis, a major American corporation specializing in the production of veterinary drugs.

General description

This is a unique medication with no equivalents worldwide. It quickly relieves itching and other symptoms just like steroids, but without adversely affecting hormonal balance or the endocrine system. It is safe, and even with a slight overdose, it does not cause side effects or adverse health effects.

Although the instructions are written for dogs, Apoquel can be given to cats, but the medication must be prescribed by a doctor. The instructions for cats do not contain any information because the drug has not been formally tested in this category of animals. However, veterinarians have long used it successfully to relieve severe itching.

The medication is available as oblong, white tablets. Apoquel is available in three strengths, differing only in the active ingredient concentration (3.6 mg, 5.4 mg, and 16 mg). Cats are typically prescribed the lowest strength. When purchasing the medication from a pharmacy, be careful not to exceed the recommended dosage.

The tablet is marked "AQ" on one side and has a dividing line on the other. This allows the tablet to be divided into two equal halves, making it especially convenient for small pets. The unused portion of the tablet can be stored in a sealed container for up to three days.

Composition and action

Apoquel's main component is oclacitinib. This substance interferes with the processes in the animal's body that cause itching due to allergies. The drug also effectively relieves local inflammatory reactions. Thanks to its mechanism of action, it effectively relieves the symptoms of allergic dermatitis, which manifest as itching, redness, and other symptoms.

Within just one hour of taking the tablets, the concentration of the active ingredient in the blood reaches its maximum. The active ingredient is almost completely absorbed (89%), and food intake has no effect on this process. Results are usually noticeable within a few hours – within 3-4 hours, the animal stops scratching and becomes calmer.

With long-term treatment, the active ingredient of the medication suppresses the immune system. The substance partially accumulates in the body. Although Apoquel is classified as a Class 3 drug, when taken at recommended doses, it has no toxic or carcinogenic effects and does not affect the functioning of internal organs or the development of offspring.

Price

The price of Apoquel tablets with the lowest concentration of active ingredients, suitable for cats, in online pharmacies is as follows:

• 20 pieces – from 1400 rub.;
• 100 pieces – from 6200 rub.

The medication is supplied to Russia in small batches, so it's not available in all pharmacies. Purchase the medication from trusted retailers or authorized manufacturers, as there are many counterfeit products on the market due to the high price.

When and how to apply

Apoquel is prescribed to cats with allergic dermatitis to relieve itching and skin lesions such as redness, irritation, and other skin reactions. The medication is effective in treating allergies caused by various factors:

• fleas and other external parasites;
• feed and food products;
• cosmetics (shampoos, lotions);
• chemicals (powder, cleaning products, etc.);
• other irritants.

The drug is often prescribed for treatment and prevention of relapses. atopic dermatitis - a disease in which symptoms appear for unknown reasons.

Since food does not interfere with the absorption or action of the active ingredient, tablets can be administered with food. They can be hidden in your cat's favorite treats or simply added to their regular diet. If this doesn't work with your cat, you'll need to force-feed the medication. To do this, place the tablet on the back of the animal's tongue and then stroke its neck to induce the swallowing reflex. Keep your pet's head elevated to prevent them from spitting the medication back out.

Apoquel should be administered to cats once daily. A single dose is 0.4-0.6 mg of active ingredient per 1 kg of body weight. Depending on the pet's size, 0.5-1 tablet is usually prescribed. Treatment is continued until the symptoms of allergic dermatitis completely disappear, but for no more than 2 weeks. To prolong remission of atopic dermatitis, Apoquel is administered once daily, but the course may be longer. In any case, it is not recommended to administer the medication for more than 14 consecutive weeks.

Important! Your doctor may adjust the dosage and treatment plan depending on the animal's condition and pathology.

It is not recommended to skip doses of the medication. This usually negatively impacts the effectiveness of the pills. If you cannot avoid missing a dose, you should resume treatment as soon as possible. The dosage and administration schedule remain unchanged.

Limitations and side effects

Although the instructions for Apoquel are written for dogs, contraindications also apply to cats. Treatment with the drug should be discontinued in the following cases:

• in case of intolerance to the components;
• with weak immunity;
• in case of excessive secretion of hormones by the adrenal glands and other hormonal disorders;
• in malignant tumors;
• during pregnancy;
• during lactation.

The medication is also not used for stud cats planning to mate with a female cat in the near future. Apoquel is contraindicated for animals under 12 months of age and weighing less than 3 kg.

Since the drug suppresses the immune system, the animal should be monitored for infectious diseases, tumors, and other health issues during treatment. If detected early, treatment is straightforward. If the initial stage of the disease is missed, various complications may arise.

Important! Concomitant use of Apoquel with immunosuppressants and anticonvulsants is contraindicated. The drug can be combined with antifungal, anti-inflammatory, and other medications, but only under a doctor's prescription.

Although the incidence of side effects is low, the animal may experience the following symptoms:

• disruption of the digestive system in the form of vomiting or diarrhea (usually occurs due to intolerance to the components);
• depressed state;
• cystitis.

If you give the drug to an animal for a long time, the following side effects occur:

• localized baldness;
• aggressiveness;
• infectious skin diseases;
• enlarged lymph nodes.

Due to the suppression of the immune system, the risk of developing infectious pathologies and tumors, as well as exacerbation of chronic diseases, increases.

It is prohibited to vaccinate during treatment with Apoquel, as well as for 2 weeks after completion of the course.

Owner reviews

Anna, owner of a 4-year-old cat:

"Our Bars suffers from atopic dermatitis. We've tried a ton of medications and treatments. Steroids help, but the side effects are endless. The vet recommended Apoquel. It's expensive, but after just two weeks of use, the cat returned to normal. After stopping the course, the itching, scratching, swelling, and inflammation returned. We resumed treatment. We've been taking the medication continuously for over six months. During flare-ups, we increase the dosage and during remission, we decrease it. For our cat, it's the only salvation."

Marina, owner of a Persian cat:

"Due to severe allergies, the cat simply started pulling out her fur. Her front paws, belly, and sides became completely bald. It was unbearable to watch. We tried Apoquel, but it didn't help at all. Chloe continued to scratch and pull out her fur. It was an expensive and useless treatment."

Veterinarian Reviews

Vladimir Petrovich, a veterinarian with 18 years of experience:

"I learned about Apoquel at a conference held in our city. Colleagues spoke highly of the drug. Before using it in my practice, I decided to learn more. I found the results of studies on cats conducted by Italian veterinarians. These studies demonstrated the drug's efficacy and safety. I now frequently use it to treat both dogs and cats. I can confirm that it relieves itching very well, but it should still be used as directed by a doctor."

Valentina, a veterinarian with 12 years of experience:

"Apoquel is a good alternative to steroids for severe itching. It works great. I often see reviews online that the pills don't work. I'm pretty sure they're counterfeits, of which there are plenty on the market. Our clinic buys the medication from trusted pharmacies, and we've never had any issues with it. Be careful when choosing a vendor."

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