As many pet owners know, allergies are prevalent in pets. Most veterinary dermatologists recommend that their patients see an allergy specialist who can diagnose and treat canine allergic skin disease (CASD).
Before you see an allergist, every dog owner should ask their veterinary dermatologist, is there an alternative to apoquel for dogs?
You Can’t Find Out What’s Causing the Allergy Until You See An Allergist.
Allergies in dogs and cats affect around 10–20 percent of the population worldwide and are a growing public health concern as these rates increase.
The only way to diagnose allergies in pets is through an allergy test, which involves giving your dog an intradermal skin test or serum/blood tests that check for antibodies against suspected allergens. Veterinarians can run these tests, but it’s best to see an allergist who specializes in this field.
Allergies, especially in dogs, must always be treated with two components: identification and treatment.
Once an allergy has been confirmed and an allergen has been identified, targeted therapy for that specific allergen must be initiated. When the allergen is identified and minimized, the allergy treatment plan can be assessed and revised.
Is Apoquel the Right Treatment for Your Dog?
While apoquel is effective as adjunctive therapy for treating pruritus in dogs with allergic skin disease, research has not confirmed it to be an effective monotherapy (treatment used alone).
The studies on apoquel show that it has about a 30 percent success rate in dogs at reducing allergic symptoms. It may also cause liver damage and, most importantly, is very expensive with an average per month cost of $50 to $150.
Is There an Alternative to Apoquel?
Several potential allergy treatments can be discussed with your veterinary dermatologist in place of using apoquel: elimination diets, antihistamines, CBD, Apoquel in combination with corticosteroids and more.
Allergy treatment plans vary between patients and should only be discussed with an allergist to ensure that the plan is safe for your pet.
Why Is CBD an Alternative to Apoquel for Dogs?
Recently, there has been much said about CBD (cannabidiol) for the treatment of allergies.
CBD is a non-psychoactive component of the cannabis plant. CBD can be effective in treating allergies and inflammation, offering a potential alternative for dogs with allergies.
How Effective Is CBD in Treating Allergies in Dogs?
Some people wonder, is there an alternative to Apoquel for dogs’ allergies? A recent study was performed at Auburn University, which showed that CBD stopped the allergic reaction in about 68 percent of tested dogs. In addition, it also made dogs more comfortable from the moment they received the dose.
CBD oil can cost as little as $20 per month, depending on which product you purchase.
The best part about CBD oil is that there are hundreds of different brands, so you have a lot of choices as to which CBD oil is best for your pet.
How to Administer CBD to Your Pet with Allergies?
If you are considering CBD oil for your dog, here are some things that you should know.
Some canines have a very low tolerance for oral medications, so it’s best to start with the smallest possible dose of 0.1 milligrams per pound of body weight daily. Depending on what brand is purchased, this may be anywhere from 1 drop to 5 drops per dose.
It is a dietary supplement that helps with inflammation in the body and can reduce allergic symptoms.
If you have a dog that has been diagnosed with an allergy, it’s crucial to speak to your veterinarian about the exact cause. If it’s food allergies, your veterinarian can prepare an elimination diet for your dog to determine which ingredients are causing the allergy.
If necessary, they can also run allergy testing to determine what your dog is allergic to. Once that’s complete, you will have a good idea of how to proceed with treatment.