What is Apoquel for dogs?
Apoquel is one of the best medications for treating dogs that have allergies or atopic dermatitis. Dogs with these diseases typically suffer from dry and inflamed skin that usually causes your dog to be very itchy. In more serious cases, sores can form on top of the skin. For many cases, Apoquel is seen as a “miracle cure,” as it relieves symptoms of certain diseases that currently don’t have a cure.
How does Apoquel work?
Apoquel works by disrupting pathways in your dog’s immune system that trigger inflammation responses. By blocking these pathways, apoquel greatly reduces skin inflammation as well as itchiness.
While Apoquel certainly helps treat skin conditions, it can come with a cost. Since Apoquel alters your dog’s immune system, there is the possibility that your dog will develop side effects.
Main side effects of Apoquel
Around 5% of dogs will experience side effects when taking Apoquel. The main side effects of Apoquel include vomiting and diarrhea, as your dog’s immune system tries to acclimate itself to the chemical balance caused by the medication.
In more serious cases, Apoquel can cause ear infections, and even pneumonia. Some people have claimed that Apoquel can accelerate the growth of a tumor in your dog, but these claims have yet to be verified.
Is there an alternative to Apoquel for dogs?
Yes, there are plenty of alternatives to apoquel for dogs. We recommend testing out a couple alternatives in order to find out which medication works the best for your dog’s skin condition. Below is our list of our favorite alternatives to apoquel.
Puriya is a great substitute for apoquel if your dog is suffering from itchy or inflammed skin. This cream is plant based and provides lasting itch relief, reduces redness and swelling on the skin, and also moisturizes the skin. You can purchase Puriya here.
This medication is perfect for treating your dog’s Eczema or other itching problem. This oral medication cures your dog’s itching problem from the inside out, and specializes in treating scaling, itching, and inflammation. This option is a lot easier to give your dog, as a pill is much more convenient than regularly applying a cream or lotion to your dog’s skin. You can buy this Eczema pill here.
Atopica works great if your dog is suffering from allergic dermatitis. This oral medication relieves many symptoms associated with dermatitis, including dry and red itchy skin. While there are possible side effects with this medication, they are less severe than Apoquel. The most common side effects associated with Atopica is vomiting and diarrhea. You can buy Atopica here.
Why use an alternative to Apoquel?
There are many reasons why you might want to switch to an Apoquel Alternative. Your dog may be experiencing adverse side effects, or the price of Apoquel may be out of your budget. If your dog is suffering from a chronic skin disease, they will likely have to take Apoquel for the rest of their life. If your dog has a tick infection, you should check out my article on the best flea prevention for dogs.
Therefore, saving a couple dollars per prescription can go a long way if you choose a cheaper alternative. It is important to remember that Apoquel requires a prescription. You should never buy any Apoquel online from a vendor that doesn’t require a prescription, as this usually means that the drugs are not regulated or FDA Approved.
