Hi, I have a little Yorkie. It turns out she's biting her paw pads a lot and is constantly shaking her head. I'm currently giving her Apoquel as prescribed by the vet, but I've been reading up on the side effects. I wanted to see if any of you have experienced this and if you've found a solution, because I really don't know what else to try anymore.
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Lots of dogs suffer from allergies, so you’re definitely not on your own. If your vet prescribed the Apoquel, make sure to have a word with them before you change the dose or stop it altogether. It might also be worth looking at her diet and switching to a food with simple or hypoallergenic ingredients, if your vet thinks it’s a good idea. In the meantime, you could also try a supplement like DogSuppy Itch Relief to help soothe the itching and discomfort. I hope your little Yorkie feels better soon!
Hi there,
Apoquel is a treatment designed to reduce itching caused by allergic or atopic dermatitis. In dogs, these conditions often manifest as skin symptoms localised around the ears and paws.
Every medication has side effects; if it didn't, it wouldn't have any effect at all. The key is to weigh up the pros and cons of the treatment based on the individual animal's case. Your vet felt that the benefits outweighed the risks when starting this treatment for your little Yorkie.
In addition to this treatment, you could explore other avenues. Diet is often a source of allergens for dogs, so you could try hypoallergenic dry food, following your vet's advice. There are also shampoos and other topical treatments that can help soothe the itching, but again, your vet will be best placed to advise you as they have monitored the progression of the skin issues.
All the best,
Quitterie
