Home Dog News A New Weapon in the War Against Pet Allergies is Here

A New Weapon in the War Against Pet Allergies is Here

A New Weapon in the War Against Pet Allergies is Here
Photo: doggygoo.com

Allergies affect millions of people, but did you know they are also very common in pets? Allergy testing for dogs and cats can be costly, and there aren’t nearly as many treatments for animals as there are for humans. However, buying relief for your pet may have just gotten a whole lot simpler.

Zoetis is a global animal health company that produces quality medicines and vaccines. They’ve recently released an allergy relief tablet for pets, called Apoquel that may change the quality of life for allergy suffering animals.

RELATED: Top 10 Best Vacuums for Dog Hair

Allergy symptoms in dogs are not usually very severe, but they can be extremely frustrating for your pet. If you’ve noticed your dog chewing their paws, licking incessantly, scratching, or developing redness of the skin, runny eyes, or itchy ears they are probably suffering from allergies. The best thing you can do is get them in to see a veterinarian immediately.

Zoetis is one of the top companies in the world that discover, develop, manufacture, and market medicines and vaccines. They have been in business for more than 60 years and their singular focus is animal health. Their products are sold in over 120 countries and they have about 10,000 employees at their 27 manufacturing sites.

A New Weapon in the War Against Pet Allergies is Here
Photo: www.vet.cornell.edu

The company brought in $4.8 billion in revenue last year, and 34% of that was from products for companion animals. Zoetis makes products to support the health of dogs, cats, horses, fish, cows, pigs, poultry, and sheep. They offer over 300 different product lines to veterinarians, livestock farmers, and pet owners.

RELATED: Dog Care 101: How to Groom Your Dog at Home

The company’s newest product, Apoquel, has been vastly publicized for its rapid onset relief of allergies without the side effects that have been associated with steroids. It provides relief within four hours and effectively controls itch within 24 hours. The medication is safe to be used for a short period of time or for long term use, and it can also be combined with many other medications.

Apoquel’s unique formula targets the itch without having a negative impact on the immune function like many other drugs. It allows veterinarians a chance to diagnose the underlying condition that is causing the itching while providing the dog with relief and an improved quality of life.

The product cannot be used in dogs less than a year old or with dogs that are pregnant, breeding, or lactating. It has been used safely with medications including parasiticides, vaccines, and antibiotics but has not been tested in dogs receiving corticosteroids and cyclosporines, two common treatments for skin conditions.

Samantha’s biggest passion in life is spending time with her Boxer dogs. After she rescued her first Boxer in 2004, Samantha fell in love with the breed and has continued to rescue three other Boxers since then. She enjoys hiking and swimming with her Boxers, Maddie and Chloe.