My dog has skin allergies on Apoquel. What should I ask my vet?

Question

My pug has been on and off apoquel for her whole life. And this is what she looks like still. I know apoquel suppresses the immune system and is not good long term (my vet keeps pushing to refill). I’d like to suggest an allergy test maybe, but what should I ask the vet to do?? They don’t seem to be dealing with the root of the skin problems and only masking the symptoms?? Also anything I can do at home in the meantime before I can afford the vet? Rosie would appreciate some relief!! Pet's info: Dog | Pug | Female | spayed | 2 years and 11 months old | 30 lbs

Jessica Keay, DVM · Accepted Answer

I am sorry to hear about your pup! Allergies can be so frustrating for dogs, owners, and their vets! We do have many dogs on long term apoquel who do wonderful, but there are other things that can be tried in dogs with allergies. You can ask your vet if they can refer you to a veterinary dermatologist if they do not do allergy testing at their hospital. Allergy testing can be done either by collecting a blood sample or by doing a skin test as they do in humans. Based on the testing they can develop allergy shots that can be given to desensitize your dog to the allergen, but this can take a good deal of time to help so often we need a combination approach. If food allergies are suspected then a trial on a hypoallergenic diet provided by your vet (a prescription diet is recommended not an over the counter diet) may also be recommended. These things may help decrease the need for drugs like apoquel.

My dog has skin allergies on Apoquel. What should I ask my vet?

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