Is Apoquel causing my dog's lethargy, high lipase, or pancreatitis?

Gastrointestinal upset and a decrease in appetite can be a side effect of Apoquel but it is not very common. Often the symptoms will improve after a few days. As long as Remy is not vomiting I’d continue the medication and contact your vet to let them know once they’re open.

Hi there and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to address your concern. Just because a Lipase is elevated does not automatically indicate that a dog has pancreatitis. Serum lipase and even amylase can increase with multiple other causes, not just pancreatitis. This is why it is difficult to diagnose pancreatitis based on these levels alone. If Diesel is symptomatic for pancreatitis with these values, I would have additional testing performed to help confirm pancreatitis. I would even consider an abdominal ultrasound if possible. I hope this helps! Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns and I would be more than happy to help you further.

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Apoquel will not work if the dog has a skin infection. I recommend anytime that the apoquel has stopped working that the dog be taken to the Vet for an exam to check for a bacterial or yeast infection. Most dogs with allergies need to be on a special diet, apoquel or cytopoint, an antihistamine and an Omega 3 supplement to keep the dog comfortable, but flare ups are bound to happen, we just hope less frequently. As for the bloody diarrhea, it is likely unrelated to her skin and the apoquel but it is fine that you stopped it. Especially if it wasn't working. The blood indicated inflammation in the colon. Common causes of diarrhea are: intestinal parasites, viral or bacterial infections, dietary indiscretion, pancreatitis, food allergy/intolerance, reaction to a new food/treat/table food. If the diarrhea is bad I would fast her for 12-24 hours to rest her GI tract then start feeding a bland diet of boiled chicken or hamburger with rice. Feed 1 cup per 20 lbs per day until 2 normal stools. I wish you the best!

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Rocky. Lipase values can be elevated in cases of pancreatitis and occasionally liver and kidney disease. However, it is a not a very sensitive marker of this disease. For this reason, if the remainder of his blood work is normal and he is not acting sick, then I do not worry too much about an elevation in lipase. I hope this information helps!

Hello and thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Apoquel is a mediation that reduces skin inflammation and excessive skin itchiness. It is considered as a very safe medication with few side effects. Apoquel does not have any effect on dog's appetite. If Rocco's appetite is down, he should be checked for fever, infection, abdominal pain, liver and kidney diseases. Please, get in touch with your local vets to clarify what is Rocco's main problem and to make diagnostic and treatment plan for him.

Side effects of apoquel include vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, and anorexia. It can be used for both short term and long term treatment. It will be up to your vet to determine how long Maylo can be on apoquel, and I would discuss long term use with your vet :-)

First off, I'm very sorry that Louie died so suddenly! Please accept my condolences for your loss. Pancreatitis is caused by things like a high fat diet, being overweight, trauma to the pancreas, and hypercalcemia. It's not caused by steroids. Pancreatitis can be extremely serious, and it can be fatal. Without seeing him in person, I can't say for certain that pancreatitis was the cause of his death, but that would be my suspicion given that he was suffering from it. Again, I'm sorry about your loss.