Comments on Cytopoint Injection: High Tech Answer to Itchy Dogs?

My dog Winston developed immune-mediated Thrombocytopenia, had no platelets and low red blood cells. He almost died as a result. I was told it was probably related to cancer. We consulted an oncologist and had his spleen removed only to find out there was no cancer at all. He still has the condition though. He's responding well to the immunosuppressant therapy but for how long I don't know. All of this happened shortly after receiving two injections of Cytopoint, six weeks apart. The company denies that their medication was the cause but the Dermatologist who administered it is no longer doing so just in case. The company said there is no reported incidents of this condition following the use of their medication but did offer to pay me $500 for some of the treatment. It hardly put a dent in the expenses though.

Our Shiba Inu, RUby, is 15 years old. The vet says she has early signs of kidney disease and her diet was recently changed to Hill's K/D in order to reduce the protein and help prolong her health. Other than this diagnosis, she has some reduced strength in her rear legs, her vision is getting cloudy, and she seems to do a lot of staring off into space. All this stuff is pretty much par for the course at her age. HOWEVER, when she began to start itching and scratching and essentially trying to gouge her own eyes out, we knew we had a serious allergy problem. She also began getting hot spots on her legs and gnawing the fur off. Clearly she was in distress.
We got her to the vet, and that's where we learned about Cytopoint. The diagnosis and the first shot came out to around 150 dollars, and she is eligible for much less expensive boosters for the rest of the year as this initial shot wears of in 6 to 8 weeks.
We count ourselves lucky that she is no longer itching, her eyes are no longer under attack from her front paws, and she has resumed a lot of her playful good nature, since no longer being in constant torture from itching.
We will take the author's caution against increased vulnerability to infection under advisement, bit for Ruby, her quality of life was a major issue here, and we could neither keep her suffering, nor was offering temporary relief with small doses of benadryl ground up into cheese every 4 to 6 hours going to be a long-term solution.

My 4 yo english bulldog was itching for the past couple of years so badly she absolutely had to be on something - so I put her on a recommended allergy shot from her Dermatologist which made her vomit, foam at the mouth and swell up in her lips at first dose. Really hated giving her that. After almost a year of no progress, I took her off the shots and got her on daily Atopica pills. She hated them and they're super expensive.
I have already changed up her diet to about 80% raw meat and veg w some cooked veg, fruit, coconut oil, etc. Great improvement in her coat but the itching was still happening if she missed even one day of that stupid pill. She would bite herself until she bled and scratch so loud it would wake me up and in the middle of the night most nights, I'd end up massaging her legs and scratching her to help her go back to sleep.
A month ago she had surgery to help her breathing, and that vet suggested the cytopoint shot. They gave it to her after surgery and after she recovered from the drug haze from the operation meds, I noticed within days her itching was obsolete. It was the first time I could remember her not itching and chewing her feet and ankles most of the night.
I still hate the idea of shots but for now, I've completely taken her off those pills and she's itch free. I'll see how it goes - the only thing I've noticed was almost directly after the surgery she got another one of those interdigital cysts between her front toes - probably the biggest and baddest one she's gotten thus far. No idea if it's related, but I wouldn't doubt anything.
I'll look through this page again - seems to be some other good suggestions. I wanted to try Homeopathy, but I was afraid she'd be itchy and suffering while I waited for yet one more thing to work.
Thanks all.

Have 2 problems. We rescued a 3 month old pup running the streets.He is now 7 months. Gave him 1st shot of Cytopoint 9 weeks ago and he is just showing symptoms of needing the next shot
Constant itching, scratching biting, etc. Next is French Mastiff, age 3 years bought at 4 months from lousy back yard breeder. On Apoquel due to cost. It works but I would rather get him off it.

Had to put my 5 1/2 year female boxer down after cytopoint injection went into anaphylaxis shock and developed a brain tumor paced for hours on hours would not sit or lie down on floor only couch. Then vet put her on prenisone 30mg which didnt help much. Lawsuit next for vet Banfield and german manufacturer. Thanks for killing my bright pride and joy.

I have a standard Dachshund with mild allergies, well they were mild until I allowed him to have cytopoint injections. He had three. The first two seemed to work wonders, no more licking of feet or doing minor scratching. His allergies were so mild I should NEVER have allowed him to have cytopoint. After the third one, within a week, he developed bumps all over his back. Medicated shampoo seemed to work and clear those up. Then he started developing black patches on his body and losing hair. He was on antibiotics for a week with medicated bath and medicated foam twice a day. It did not improve. Next step was to do a full blood panel, although it has not even been a year since the last one. I will get those results back tomorrow. If there are no abnormalities, the Vet wants to do a biopsy. He is 8 years old and never had anything like this before. I suspected the cytopoint had something to do with it. The timing was there for strong correlation. Of course when I mention this to his Vet I get no response. I am looking at over $1000 now in Vet bills. I am livid. He is developing new spots. I would post a picture if I could. I have five other dogs. No one else has any issues.

After otc allergy meds and prednisone were all failures, I started my 3 year old boxer on Apoquel in April 2016. It sort of worked, but not as well as everyone claimed it would. By Spring 2017 he was taking 1 (16mg) pill in the morning and another 1/2 pill at night. This still wasn't helping, so it was suggested I try Cytopoint. One of the girls at the vet's office had tried it for her spaniel mix .... first shot lasted 4 weeks, second shot lasted 6 weeks and she was hoping the 3rd shot would make it to 8 weeks! I hemmed and hawed for about a week and then decided to give Cytopoint a try. My boy is too young to be this damned miserable (itchy ears, itchy face, itchy chin, bald spots on his torso, goop in his eyes, and puffy red skin between his toes) so his first injection was August 3rd. I was told to hold on to the Apoquel and use it for break-through itching. OK, so when is my dog supposed to feel BETTER? I found this site because, out of frustration, I started doing the research I should have done BEFORE giving him the Cytopoint! Now he's got an open sore on one hind paw (same one that he was diagnosed with open cellulitis back in April and put on a variety of pain pills and antibiotics). He already gets a grain-free diet and I try to avoid poultry products (why is 'chicken meal' used in almost everything?!) My next drastic measure will be to hire professionals to come remove the pine trees in the yard and PAVE over the entire yard!

We are at the 4 week mark of having our dog Leroy (black lab X golden retriever) on Cytopoint - and he's worse then he's ever been. He was on Apoquel for a year and half and slowly we saw it work less and less, kept him on the apoquel and switched to the royal canin hypo allergenic vet diet, didn't see much improvement so then our vet recommended Cytopoint, and he is honestly, so so bad. he also gets bathed every 2-3 days with Nizoral shampoo as he gets a lot of yeast and bacterial infections. The nizoral had helped with the yeast at one point but he still got the bacterial infection. And the amount of hair loss he has experienced in the last 4 weeks is outstanding. He has another follow up apt tomorrow and is due for his yearlies so we will be talking to our vet again about what she thinks. ( he did have a bacterial infection right before he had his cytopoint shot so MAYBE it wasn't fully cleared up )

My dog had hot spots, lick granuloma on her paws, cuts all over from scratching and inflamed ears. She was given the CADI/Cytopoint shot twice Fall 2016 and again in April and May of 2017. It worked very well and cleared up everything for about 5 weeks and then a week fade back to itching each of first three shots. The fourth one lasted 10 weeks. Only thing odd I noticed was that each time she lost weight during the first week after the shot - about 3 pounds on a 40 pound dog already at correct weight and I had to add an extra meal per day to stop the weight loss for about a month after the shot. I also felt like her fur got dry and brittle after the shots. But I would say I was thrilled to go from cones, boots, t-shirt and having her tethered to me to stop her from chewing her leg off or scratching an eye out to having a normal, happy, playful dog. However, and I really don't know if this is the Cytopoint, but she is turning gray and I'm greatly concerned about whether that represents expedited aging or some other problem. She just had her fourth birthday and over the past 9 months since the Cytopoint the fur around her eyes got gray, then most of her face, and lately her back and she looks like a senior dog. Is this a side-effect other people have experienced? Before the Cytopoint she had two years of miserable itching which included many trips to the vet resulting in three anesthesia, four months on Apoquel, two steroid shots so it could be something else causing the gray fur. The Apoquel worked wonders for a few weeks then it stopped working and she got manic crazy and wouldn't sleep at all so I took her off. The dermatology specialist told me Cytopoint has no side-effects and the regular and holistic vets said the same. But now I'm really wondering. She recently has started to itch some again. The vet says another Cytopoint (actually the vet said they should be back-to-back monthly so I'm overdue). But as I've spent some time looking for info like this site today, I'm hesitant and feeling that is a bad idea. She had a Nutriscan and I've modified her proteins accordingly, is on sublingual allergy drops, and discovering laser treatments heal lick granuloma incredibly well for her, and finding Dr. Becker's Seasonal Support Supplement have greatly improved my ability to reduce her itching without a shot. She is on a raw food diet but I really want to find a vet or nutritionist consultant to look at that and make sure what I'm doing is nutritionally sound (haven't found that person yet so any idea appreciated). I'm hoping to avoid another Cytopoint. But truthfully, if I was back where she was when she had the first shot, I probably would have chosen the shot over her suffering even if that decision seems fuzzy now. One last question: When it was CADI it was a 4 week duration and now that it is Cytopoint it is an 8 week duration. Did they change the formula?

After subjecting my 2-year-old Pitbull mix to the diarrhea side effect of Apoquel (he's crated all day-Disaster!!) prescribed by my regular vet, I took him to a dermatology veterinarian today. $623 later, he got a injection of a $267 antibiotic because he has a staph infection, his first $157 injection of Cytopoint, and a bottle of Malaseb shampoo. Now that I'm home, I'm reading up on Cytopoint and your article is making me cringe. This new vet wants to do a $650 allergen-specific immunotherapy long-term plan next. I know a Chinese herbologist who does formulations for dogs. Am I naive to think herbs could manage atopic dermatitis and/or possible infections?

I have a 13 year old 17 lb Yorkie. He has had atopic dermatitis for the past 10 years since we moved to Delaware. We tried medicated shampoo, topical steriods, sprays, etc etc to no avail. Last year we decided to tried Apoquel and his immune system was so compromised after just two days he developed Mersa (we were told this bacteria was on his body and it just bloomed) and was on a compounded antibiotic for 8 weeks. We just started using Cytopoint July 10th and received a second shot on July 26th. Two weeks after the 2nd shot of Cytopoint we noticed 2 big lumps on the leg in which he received the shot. He also has a swollen lymph node on the same leg. The vet never questioned whether or not it was a reaction to the Cytopoint but she began treating him for an infection and put him on an antibiotic. I started to think that maybe these lumps were a reaction to the Cytopoint and after reading all the above comments I am pretty concerned. Not sure what to do about the lumps right now.

I brought my 7.5 year old Boston terrier to the vet cause I suspected an ear infection. They swabbed and looked in her ears with a scope, no war infection. They said she probably has allergies and that this cytopint injection would help. Thinking they know what's best, I allowed 1 injection. It's been 5 days and I don't see a change. I did research after, I know stupid, should have done it before. And now I'm worried. :( I don't think I'll be giving her anymore. I will adjust her food, clean with better products and figure something out. Thank you for your article...

My 6.5 month old Basset Hound had 2 very bad reactions to lepto vaccines and then began what has turned into months of intense itching and allergies. I reluctantly put him on Apoquel to ease his suffering but have since started with a homeopathic vet and we are trying to wean him off the Apoquel as the other treatments begin to work. I have not heard of the Cytopoint but at this point, I am terrified of anything that will affect his immune system. I am on week 6 of homeopathic treatments coupled with aquapuncture and Chinese herbs - it is a slow process but I am hopeful it will be the better route in the long run. If my homeo vet agrees, I'd like to start Transfer Factor this week. Are there any other protocols you'd suggest for my boy?

My dog is a neutered ShihTzu. He has had atopy since he was aroun 8 mo. old. He is now 7. I've tried various meds, Apoquel, Atopica, steroids, to no avail. I took him to a dermatologist in May. He was diagnosed with fungal and bacterial infections. Three weeks on anti-bacterial/anti-fungal meds got him fairly cleared up. At the end of week 2 of the med regimen he received an injection of Cytopoint. By the end of week 3 of the med regimen, he was virtually itch free. He was like a new dog. Today marks the end of the 11th week since the Cytopoint. He has started to develop a minor itch, but not to the extent he had before. I have an appointment in a week to get another Cytopoint injection. Not criticizing anything here, but it has worked for my dog.

my question/comment has to do with apoquel; my old English bull dogge was put on apoquel when he showed signs of an allergy. shortly after, a hernia type bump showed up on his throat. the vet kept him on the med. and sold me some shampoo and eye drops. shortly after that the bump opened up and started draining. my vet was more concerned that he wasn't 'fixed' than with the infection that was starting..2 months later my batman was hospitalized with pneumonia..their answer to the infection was another shampoo. (o and a steroid).
I am a nervous wreck about his coughing and vomiting as well as the "infection site" I had stopped the apoquel before his hospital stay and his throat looks the same almost a year later! please tell me something I can do for my poor boy; I clean him daily, he's eating grain-free and has a good attitude, but I want this gone. thank you

There's definitely an easy solution for those that have dogs suffering from seasonal allergies. My dog's allergies kick in every mid June or so and last until about mid October which I believe is ragweed season here in Toronto. He would chew himself raw. Last December I started him on immunotherapy called Respit which has specific strains for each region of the country. He gets two sprays into his cheek every day. It's now past mid July and there's no sign of allergies for the first time in 5yrs. I did give him Apoquel for the first month he was on the RESPIT as it made him really itchy but after a month his system normalized and that was the end of his allergies and drugs. I just wished I had started him on it 5yrs ago and save us both all the grief we had to deal with.

Hello, i have a 3 yr old beagle who had ringworm at birth. Treated and disappeared. Next summer, severe itching. Apoquel steroids antifungals, antihistimines benedryl shampoos sprays. Blood tested at Ohio State. Allergic to lots of Maples and grasses. Special made allergen meds. Still severe itching. Steroids help but we cannot keep that up. Also on science diet allergy free food. I have spent at least 1000.00 trying things. She has gained weight from the steroids. Cytopoint injection two days ago. 1st day I thought oh it is going to work. Second day she is itchy. The only difference is that now she has no desire to scratch herself; she comes to us and we scratch. Help. E mail debbypearl9@yahoo.com

My 9 yr old lab is a rescue also. She had a little itching in summer months when I got her. I don't think she had ever been vaccinated but I needed to board her so got the vaccinations. It was obvious after the 2nd rabies vaccination that her allergies had taken on a new life. Since then I've tried everything I can find to help, supplements, shampoos, rinses, rubs, foods, etc.... I had let the vet give her steroid injections initially because she was so extremely miserable and that was all he had to offer. Those were only mildly helpful and I stopped them quickly. Other meds were of no help. Once we had a freeze and snow fell she was fine again till the next spring. So, pollen it must be. A few years ago we tried the Apoquel. Yes, it does stop the itching but I had already researched and knew it's not a good option. So I'm continuing to research and try other things. I keep some apoquel on hand for times when she is just too miserable to manage but also do everything I can think of to avoid it. Recently I have been giving her CBD oil and much to my surprise, it seems to have a profound effect on the discomfort! It has now been almost 3 wks since I had to give her any apoquel. I've given her CBD oil morning and evening each day. I also rinse her all over especially her feet after we've been outside, I vacuum often and thoroughly and I keep clean towels on her beds inside so I can just change those morning and evening. It requires some forethought but seems to be keeping her comfortable while still allowing her to have a life and enjoy herself. And, every day we can avoid the drug is a good day! I can't claim any miracles from the CBD oil and I'm still watching closely but since the day I began it, she has been obviously more comfortable and far less itchy.

We're at the end pf our rope here too. We adopted our boy 3 months ago and it's been a long 3 months. We knew he had some skin issues when we adopted him, took him to our vet only to find out he's really a hot mess. After a short treatment of steroids we started the Nzymes healthy skin program. But he also started having some major incontinence issuss. We took him in to run blood work and the vet was very concerned about a couple spots on his skin. What we found was a MRSA infection. We are on an antibiotic and probiotics. I don't care for antibiotics but in this case we may not have another option. His skin is clearing up but the poor boy is so itchy! I don't know what to do to help him anymore. And I don't know how much longer we can go on with the health problems. And our finances have been stretched thin.
You can tell all around that he feels miserable :( We've breifly talked about cytopoint but the lack of long term studies makes me nervous. Yet i feel like we have thrown so many suppliments at him already with no results.

Well I'm at my wit's end with my girl's constant scratching. She's a rescue, I've no idea what her earlier vaccination schedule might have been. Since I've had her, I've switched her to raw and the only vaccination is a 3 year rabies required by my local ordinances.
I tried Prednisone. I tried otc allergy pills. I tried apoquel. And last I tried cytopoint, which didn't work for her at all.
The apoquel did work, we all got rest for the first time in weeks . But I was not comfortable giving it to her, I've read the research results. It was starting to lose efficacy after 2 months anyway.
I'm on a very small fixed income. Giving her any of these remedies was a major financial struggle, but it was worth my being hungry to try and find her some relief.
I was surprised at her lack of response to cytopoint.
I don't know for sure what is causing her itchiness, and can't afford allergy tests and such.
I'm not sure what to do next, I can look for a homeopath, but she is a fearful reactive dog and has a house call vet because she won't go through unfamiliar doorways. Then the cost associated with a homeopath may put that out of my reach.
If you have any suggestions, I'm listening! Thank you.