Canine Viral Plaques

Re: Canine Viral Plaques

Anthony Dennison — Thu, 15 May 2014 12:24:21 GMT

[quote user="Bob Russell"]No idea from Zoetis as to date expected back in stock. Pretty disastrous really for a new product! Back to preds or atopica![/quote]

We had the local Zoetis and National Veterinary Advisor in for a talk on Apoquel this week. Because there has been such a positive response to it, they are limiting who gets it to preserve the stock for where it is currently licensed (UK & US). Speak to your local rep and they should be able to sort you out a regular supply - they are using a 3rd party to control distribution to the regular supply companies vets use.

Re: Canine Viral Plaques

Stephen Courtney — Wed, 14 May 2014 21:50:38 GMT

Whats the betting internet pharmacies have stocked up big time resulting in the shortage....

Re: Canine Viral Plaques

Martin Atkinson — Wed, 14 May 2014 19:01:42 GMT

[quote user="Bob Russell"]I cannot believe the risks with Apoquel can be any worse than the other immunosuppressive drugs![/quote]Thats wot I said!!

Only technically its not immuno-suppressive as it is working as a JAK 1 and 3 inhibitor at a sub-cellular level.

This is of course of little consequence if you can't get it! Plus side for those of us who can, it means the punters can't get it from an internet pharmacy.

Re: Canine Viral Plaques

Stephen Courtney — Wed, 14 May 2014 18:39:43 GMT

Totally agree that it has to be safer than preds for long term use - not sure i'd worry over much for short term pred use, but of course short term preds often morph into long term preds, especially with hindsight!

My last order for apoquel was unfulfilled - so not sure what you guys mean about only getting supplies for ongoing cases? When I'm out, that's it...not good especially as some of them are large dogs so there is a significant financial implication if they have to restart the initial two weeks of BID dosing.

Not at all pleased to hear this....!

Re: Canine Viral Plaques

Bob Russell — Wed, 14 May 2014 15:27:17 GMT

No idea from Zoetis as to date expected back in stock. Pretty disastrous really for a new product! Back to preds or atopica!

I cannot believe the risks with Apoquel can be any worse than the other immunosuppressive drugs!

Re: Canine Viral Plaques

Martin Atkinson — Wed, 14 May 2014 14:06:42 GMT

[quote user="Stephen Courtney"]

Apparently long term use of apoquel can induce demodecosis - it's in the US FDA drug data Zoetis submitted, not sure if its in the UK data sheet as not at work . But this is long term, and is a possible adverse reaction not a guarantee of future trouble.

Given the situation i'd use it in the short term very happily.

I have found apoquel brilliant in 80% of cases, less so in the other 20%. In one it didn't work at all, and the other, only at the initial bid dose rate - and yes, i've tried it 10 times!

[/quote]I fail to see how Apoquel can be any worse at inducing Demodex when the alternatives are corticosteroids and cyclosporin!

My limited experience has also been very positive but sadly due to limited supplies, unless you've already used it, it is unavailable for the foreseeable future except for ongoing cases.

Re: Canine Viral Plaques

Stephen Courtney — Wed, 14 May 2014 10:28:54 GMT

Given the situation i'd use it in the short term very happily.

I have found apoquel brilliant in 80% of cases, less so in the other 20%. In one it didn't work at all, and the other, only at the initial bid dose rate - and yes, i've tried it 10 times!

Re: Canine Viral Plaques

Thomas Johnson — Wed, 14 May 2014 08:35:39 GMT

[quote user="toby travis"]

I'm planning to try Apoquel to see if we can get the steroid dose down/off but Zoetis have no data on its use in such a case and it could potentially affect the immune system too and they were quite vague about whether it might cause any adverse effects on the viral plaques.

[/quote]

I recently used Apoquel in a collie with pododemodecosis, very pruritic and limited response to Aludex. I needed to do something to help with the pruritis while waiting for MDR1 testing. I spoke to Zoetis who, as you have found, warned that Apoquel could potentially affect the immune system. But I found that it did greatly reduce the pruritis, with no worsening of the demodecosis.

Thankfully the dog was MDR1 negative and is now responding well to oral ivermectin.