A chewable form of Apoquel has already caused two cats to suffer permanent kidney damage. This powder is strictly designed for treating inflammation and itching in dogs. Veterinary authorities at North Carolina State University School of Veterinary Medicine (N.C. State) have sounded dire alarms. They warn that this particular chewable formulation is very toxic to cats, even if ingested in tiny amounts.
Dr. Shelly Vaden and Dr. Tyler Johnson, experts in transboundary and veterinary medicine, have been observing an alarming trend. In fact, the incidence of toxicity related to Apoquel ingestion has risen since the chewable version was formulated, likely due to its appeal to cats. The last two cases included two cats that suffered acute kidney injury from eating the poison, requiring immediate care.
Serious Health Consequences
Known for its ability to provide fast relief from itching and inflammation, Apoquel is an important tool in the dog allergist’s toolbox. Unfortunately, it can be extremely harmful to cats. Both affected cats needed hemodialysis to treat their acute kidney injuries. Hemodialysis does not replace kidney function. It gives the kidneys time to heal from any damage inflicted by nephrotoxic medications.
Luckily these two cats did very well with the combination treatment and are back to being healthy pets now. Dr. Johnson noted, “In the future, as an older cat, he might have kidney disease, but right now it’s like nothing ever happened.” This case emphasizes the critical need for prompt action when faced with potential medication toxicity.
This motivated Dr. Johnson to put together an in-depth, multi-faceted case study. His ultimate aim is to inform future treatment regimens when such incidents do occur. This case report is to record the recovery of two cats. It serves as an essential guide for veterinarians dealing with Apoquel toxicity in their cat patients.
Increasing Incidence of Toxicity
Veterinary professionals have seen a sad uptick in cases of Apoquel toxicity since it was made available in chewable tablets. Dr. Johnson stated, “The incidence of Apoquel ingestion-related toxicity has increased at our hospital since the release of a chewable formulation that, for some reason, cats seem to be inclined to eat. Both of the cats we treated actively sought out the medication.”
The implications of this rising trend are especially worrisome to cat owners who unknowingly put their cats in harm’s way by giving them harmful medications. As outlined in past reports, high doses of Apoquel have been responsible for cat deaths. This gives you a sense of the gravity of the problem.
Dr. Vaden urges cat owners to exercise caution, saying, “We believe that households with cats should rely on the original, nonchewable form of Apoquel or be extra diligent in keeping the chewable form away from their cats.” This commonsense recommendation is critical to stopping accidental poisonings in kids and keeping our feline friends healthy and safe.
Urgent Response Required
Veterinary professionals are encouraging pet owners to respond in a timely manner. If your pet ingests a potentially toxic overdose of chewable Apoquel tablets, seek veterinary attention right away! Proactive health care and early intervention is critical in addressing the medication’s many side effects. It increases the chances that you’ll get the best possible outcome for your pet.
Dr. Johnson added, “I don’t think that our treatments for either of these cats did anything to remove the medication that they ingested, but what it did do is support their injury well enough that they were able to have a pretty quick recovery.” This is a powerful sort statement emphasizing supportive care being the real virtue in most poisonings.
I hope that awareness continues to increase regarding the dangers of chewable Apoquel in kitties. It’s important for pet owners to remain alert and keep their pets safe from unfortunate accidents.