Bite Size Meds
Breaking your pets' medication down into palatable and digestible chunks.

Apoquel
What is Apoquel?
Apoquel is the brand name for the drug oclacitinib maleate. It was first made available in the UK in 2013 and is the ONLY brand of oclacitinib currently available until at least 2026.
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What does Apoquel do?
Apoquel works on the itch pathway in the body. It specifically targets a particular protein (known as JAK) and blocks everything that would normally happen afterwards, which is what makes your dog itch and their skin sore and inflamed.
What causes the itchiness?
Itchiness in dogs is often triggered by coming into contact with something they are allergic to (an “allergen”). This allergen is mistakenly recognised and targeted by the body; a bit like people with hayfever. This can cause your dog to become very itchy, which can either manifest as licking or scratching, and can make their skin very sore and inflamed. Dogs with allergies are therefore often chronic foot-lickers, or get recurring ear infections.
Why has my animal been prescribed Apoquel?
Because apoquel works to block the JAK pathway, it can be invaluable in treating itchy pets, especially those whose itchiness is due to allergies.
How quickly does it help my pet?
Apoquel is typically effective for about 2 in 3 pets that are given the medicine, and will usually reduce itchiness by about 30% within 4 hours. It can take up to 2 weeks to reach maximum effectiveness though, and it is often double dosed during this time to help get the levels up and working well. After that, once daily dosing is sufficient.
Are there any side-effects I need to worry about?
Apoquel usually has less side-effects than the most commonly used alternative (steroids) but some animals will get vomiting, diarrhoea, appetite changes and increased thirst. Skin changes are also common; lumps, warts, skin & ear infections and enlarged lymph nodes are all common side-effects. Some dogs may also seem sleepier/less active than usual, some may be more prone to bladder infections, and some may become more aggressive on apoquel.
Are there any pets that cannot have Apoquel?
Apoquel should ONLY be given to your pet if it has been prescribed by your veterinary surgeon.
There are some groups of animals for whom Apoquel should either not be given, or it should only be given after discussing it thoroughly with your vet. These include;
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Dogs under 12 months of age
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Dogs <3kg in bodyweight
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Dogs with a history of cancer
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Dogs with a suppressed immune system (e.g. those with Cushing’s)
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Pregnant dogs or those lactating to feed their offspring (i.e. breastfeeding)