Comments on Apoquel : Dog Drug With a Dark Side - Homeopath Vet

My 100lb boy, Rottweiler/Shepherd mix age 6, has been on apoquel for years and is incredibly itchy. When he stops apoquel his skin allergies are unbearable and his face and eyes puff up. He has already had a mast cell tumor removed, and currently we're feeling other suspicious lumps. If taken to see Dr Whitecoat, they're going to want to biopsy those lumps. Is there any inherent danger in getting a biopsy, just so we know what we're dealing with. And we're afraid to stop the apoquel completely because nothing else seems to keep his allergies in control.
Thank you.

My dog was prescribed a double dose (a 2x overdose) of Apoquel for 6 months. When the vet figured it out, they gave me a new prescription label and told me to put it over the old label. They said nothing about an overdose or any side effects. Something was fishy. My dog is having bad problems - worse than original allergies. Prescribing vet just says dermatitis and prescribes massive antibiotics. Then my dog could barely walk. Went to ER. ER vet had no knowledge of Apoquel overdose and didn't look up any information on it. My dog had swollen lymph nodes all over so they tested her for lymphoma. The ER vet gave her more antibiotics and pain meds. Finally I myself call Zoetis. The symptoms of overdose in their very limited trials (17 dogs!) sure sound like what my dog has. Zoetis filed a claim and contacted the prescribing vet, my current vet.

My current vet said she was sincerely sorry but only side effects are elevated "certain blood cells" and she didn't have any of that on their last visit. But the ER vet said she had elevated white blood cell count.

So my vet is CYA'ing. I am mad they tried to cover it up to begin with. But I just want her properly diagnosed and treated.

Zoetis does not appear concerned about receiving any information from my dog's prescribed overdose for 6 months. I told them they could study her since it is a proven prescribed 2x overdose for 6 months. They apparently told my vet they didn't think she had any problems from it. How would they know without testing her? They wouldn't. They don't want to know, in my opinion.

I love my dog. She is in misery. I hope another vet can help her. I want to cry.

our 9 year old labradoodle Ellie has had allergies her whole life starting after her vaccine requirements. Throughout the years it has gotten worse. She was prescribed Apoquel for her allergies. They talked that it was safe and less invasive so we decided to give it a try. Fast forward a year later and she was playing in the park when she started seizing. After loads of hours at the emergency vet and thousand of dollars later Ellie was told she had a tumor in her brain. The seizures were very stressful and violent. Now we are looking into radiation therapy for this poor sweet girl that has done nothing wrong and has given joy to Sssoooooo many people. THIS drug should be taken off the MARKET period! It should not be even a product! If there is a class action lawsuit I want to be a part of taking down the company that created this. Its not a miracle drug its a nightmare drug! Pure NIGHTMARE and years have been stolen from our sweet ellie. Shame on you drug owners!

We recently got a terminal cancer diagnosis on my 12 yo yorkie/pekingese mix. Of course I know that he is a senior and cancer happens more frequently in older males. However, he was on Apoquel for about a year until the diagnosis 6 months ago. The vet put him on steroids to give him a little extra time and said he didn’t need to take the Apoquel any longer. I never made the connection until a neighbor told me her dog was on it. It got me thinking and so I googled to see if there was a connection and after coming across your website I am almost certain Apoquel is taking our baby from us. I’d be enraged if I wasn’t so devastated. Please don’t let this happen to you.

It would be nice for you to cite evidenced based study instead of antidotal stories to support what you're saying. I am reading up on this drug and have spoken to two trusted veterinarians. One who really likes this drug for my dogs situation and the other not so much. Can you provide some scientific data?

My beautiful Barney was the best dog I've ever owned. He was only 4 when we realized Apoquel was killing him. Rather than treating his allergies, he was on Apoquel for 2.5 years and died from devastating cancer that is completely associated with JAK inhibition, long term. I hate myself everyday and mourn the days and years we lost. Zoetis does not care, they are greedy and know that there is an infinite supply of new dogs for their drug. It has been over a year and I am still beside myself. Dr. Micheal Barnett, PhD, Biochemistry, expert in Kinase Biochemistry.

Dr. William, always incredibly well done ???? I absolutely love your content. Encountering you was like striking gold, one I’ve long been seeking for others who are likeminded and leading edge within the DVM field after many years of butting heads with outdated or super rigid practitioners who believe in pharmaceutical religion. I left the decision of a DVM pursuit in favor of a PHd in Ethology. I’ve had to deal with many idiots (sorry, not sorry, when you choose to not know or be open to knowing any better) within the profession that sometimes it can be quite the patience teacher. I’m always incredibly humbled and humored by your content, as a behavior scientist and animal naturopath by science major I truly appreciate those who are helping merge the necessary overhaul we need within an industry gone mad over cognitive dissonance with nature, hyper vigilant regulation, profiteering on isolated or synthetic constituents for patent control and causing madness or suffering to brew within those who are completely clueless about natural health and well being. Thank you for being incredible. Love -DFW: (Dr.) Rachelle D. Reed

We took on a 10year old Minature Poodle that was on apoquel for 6 years for foot biting, & never assessed by a vet. It was not having any effect. I ceased giving it to her. Put her on probiotics for gut health. She began to cry with leg pain when chasing a ball. The Vet said, 'inflammation in joints' plus, when told I'd ceased apoquel, she agreed it wasn't effective. This little dog had a skin problem & foot biting was all because of her distress Vet put her on half macrolone medication, caused loss of hair on her shoulders, but she left her feet alone at last. I also found circupet-k9 for dogs at a health shop. We enjoyed her for a few months then she broke down, resisted walking, stopped eating & is no longer with us. Sadly missed. Almost 12 years old.

my dog just started Apoquel about 2 weeks ago and goes back for a vet in a week. I noticed a poplitiel left note today so these articles alarm me. He has horrible allergies and is 13 years old. He has always had tumors, but everyone of them is biopsied. Has always come back benign so far. I have every faith in my veterinarian.

A friend and I were talking about my dogs, current itchy, skin, biting feet situation. I told her that I had just received this drug from the vet called Apoquel. She told me that her dog died after being on it for two months of cancer. She referred me here and I am desperate to find a natural way to at least make him comfortable. I am shocked with the amount that I have read not just here, but in other places how this drug is killing dogs. How is it allowed to stay on the market?

My beautiful 9 year old poodle terrier mix died on 24 August. He was taking Apoquel for months due to itch. The vet never informed me of the risks. My baby pup had a large cancer mass on his liver and pleural effusion and tumors in his lungs. He started to show signs of being ill on Thursday and he was sleeping by Saturday. I had him from the time he was 10 weeks old and he was never sick, never ill. Just had the bout of allergic itch, which seemed to clear up when he took this poison, and then came back. I need to know if there is anyone with a lawsuit going, because I want this off the market so no other dogs or cats meet this fate.

My 8 year old Westie has been on Apoquel off and on for at least a couple of years. Since then she has had major skin break outs. We are dealing with one right now. She gets cytopoint injections every month. Before taking Apoquel on a continual basis, she didn't have this awful skin condition. Only recently did I become aware that Apoquel can cause this. I am taking her off this pill. She has extremely itchy front paws but the Apoquel hasn't helped that situation at all. I'm still looking for the cause and remedy. Thank you for sharing your knowledge about Apoquel.

My female got sick and was throwing up and diarrhea. Took her to vet and she was diabetes butshe had a large mass in her . So was to sick to save her and was caused bu apaquel . That's all she took . We miss our baby girl. My wife is still very upset would love them pay for what they did to our baby girl . It's not fair

My 10 year old Shia tzu had allergies. He had been on and off Apoquel a couple times and developed a few bumps on his body. I’m just realizing after reading all these testimonies that my Sullys bumps were probably from this horrible drug. He woke up dead one morning. I don’t know what exactly took him but he was on Apoquel when he died. And he still was itchy.

My dog 11 yr old was on it for 3 1/2 months until he had a seizure, first in his life. His liver and gallbladder functions are off the charts, I read online this is common with apaquel…although the doctor said not possible , right!

Our Dog just started her second bottle of Apoquel when I noticed a bump near her left arm pit, watched it for a few weeks before taking her in thinking it was a fat deposit. This bump would shrink and then come back. She has been diagnosed with a mast cell tumor that needed to be removed and now we are waiting for our appointment with an oncologist specialist to learn next steps.
I can’t believe this drug is still on the market!
I have looked for a class action lawsuit but can’t find one, if you know of one please let me know.
Thank you for this article, hoping we are not too late.

My schnauzer has been on apoquel for quite some time. Seems to not be working as well anymore. Still chews paws a lot. I'm very concerned after reading these comments. I don't want to harm my baby.

My dog 2 year old , perfectly healthy lab 100lbs, was having either yeast or allergy issues. Biting her paws all the time. I tried Benadryl, Epson salt soaks, itch creams, etc... Nothing helped. Went to the vet n vet put her on Apaquel n then tried cytopoint shot. Her torso became full of hives n she lost all the fur on both her entire thighs!! She looked like she had chicken legs all plucked!! It was horrible for months.

I’m in shock. All of the information I read on line said what a great medication it was for dogs itching. No side effects, which I also did find difficult to believe and that they could be on it all their lives. A friend just told me that her dog died after two months of taking it and now all of these testimonials. I’ve tried holistic alternatives and nothing worked. I will read on and hopefully find some kind of solution. other than this drug.

My doxie Griffin took apoquel for one year. Died 2 months ago from lymphoma. I'm heartbroken