Apoquel

Hi everyone, just found the site and wanted to share my sad story in regards to the above drug Apoquel. I strongly advise that you do your research on the above drug before giving it to your dog.
My 8 year old Staff Daisy had suffered with a skin allergy for most of her life, but mainly constant licking of her paws, which was kept under some control with a prescribed wash. For some reason this May it escalated and affected her stomach, so once again i took her to our vet who felt that Apoquel would be a good treatment for her, obviously you put your trust in your vet and when asked if it was safe i was told of course.
The licking stopped almost immediately and she seemed happier in herself. One morning i came down to find that she had wet considerably on the kitchen floor and was drinking a lot more. Once again i took her to the vet who carried out a urine sample which showed a possible glucose problem, so again another test - blood. Strangley this came back clear, again i asked if the Apoquel had anything to do with it but was assured no it is safe it has been trialed. It was recommended that i change her diet again, and the excessive drinking did stop. By July Daisy had been on this drug for around 2 1/2 months when i noticed that her abdomen had started to swell, and she had become a little lethargic. Again i took her to the vets where they immediately carried out more tests and a scan. I received a phone call later in the day telling me that she had Pancreatic cancer. I had 3 options, one was euthanasia, an operation at a specialist vet to try and remove the tumour but would probably loose her on the operating table, or to place her on steroids where she could possibly live for 8 weeks.
I can't tell you how hard this decision was to make, but what was important was that she would not suffer. I decided that we would give her the steroids and bring her home for the family to spend some time with her, i couldn't take that away from them. Three days after her visit to the vet she deteriorated quickly and her breathing quickened. I took her to the vet on Saturday the 29th of July and stayed with her until her end. I did view my concerns to the vet about this drug once again.
I will say that Daisy was from a litter of 5, 2 girls and 3 boys who are healthy and her Mum and Dad are still alive at the ages of 10 & 12 with no health issues.
Although I cannot prove that the Apoquel was the cause of her pancreatic cancer, it is my belief that it was the cause, since Daisy's death i have done some research and there are plenty of other owners viewing their concerns about this drug. So please, please think before giving this to your Staff.
In regards to Daisy she was the love of my life, comical, intelligent, loving, loyal, and protective. I miss her everyday she may be gone from my sight but never my memories, and gone from my touch but never my heart.

I'm so sorry for your loss, I read that though tears. Rip over the rainbow bridge little Daisy xxx

Thanks for your kind words, I don't usually use forum's but i feel quite strongly about this drug, and wanted other owners to BE AWARE, although as i have said i cannot prove it.

My dog Butch has been talking apoquel for about 2 years with no side effects. He started taking it after atopica stopped working & he developed a tumour, which is a rare but known side effect of atopica. I am sorry for your loss. Butch is approximately 13 years old. First he was treated with steroids, which resulted in mother-in-laws brand new cream wool carpet needing deep deep cleaning. I was worried about the long term effects of prednisone which can cause Cushings. Then came shampoo, no use as Butch hates wet paws. Then he was a test case at our vets for atopica, which was great until inoculation time. Apoquel has been a life saver for us & for my mother's bedlington. Thank you for the warning I will monitor Butch, but for us this treatment has been a godsend. Again I am so sorry for your loss

jazzydim i am very sorry for your loss