Cytopoint For Dogs – Atopic Dermatitis & Canine Allergy Injection

What is Atopic Dermatitis?

Atopic Dermatitis is a chronic, inflammatory skin disease induced by allergies.

What are the Causes of Atopic Dermatitis in Dogs?

Dogs have an allergic reaction to somehow harmless substances or things around them, e.g. grass, dust mites, mold spores, and other allergens in their environment. Sometimes they have an allergic reaction to the food that their humans prepared for them. Table food is usually the culprit.

Can a Dog Get Dermatitis at Any Age?

Usually, dogs will get the disease between 1 year to 6 years old. There are just instances in that older dogs have it worst.

Sometimes, the younger dogs will have a low immune system making them more vulnerable to allergies and it is the same with older dogs who may also have decreased immune systems and can have an intense allergic reaction because of their advanced age.

Symptoms of Atopic Dermatitis in Dogs

You will notice your dog itching excessively, every so often they bite their paw or even their tail, just to ease the itching.

You will also see rashes on their underbelly, redness on the base of their tail, excessive licking and rubbing of their skin, rough or reddened areas of the skin, and the worst symptom would be spots of blood on their skin because of bite marks and chewing.

There are also tears or eye discharge, and sometimes frequent sneezing. Some dog symptoms include vomiting, and sometimes diarrhea.

• RELATED ARTICLE: 4H2 PILL FOR DOGS

Is There Any Way to Confirm if Your Dog Has Atopic Dermatitis?

You will need to have your dog checked by a professional. Bring him immediately to the vet clinic so that his condition will be determined by the veterinarian.

The vet will request a complete medical history as this will help him determine whether the allergy is seasonal. Your dog will also need to undergo a complete physical examination so that the best treatment will be provided. There are 2 types of testing; one is Serologic Allergy Testing, and the other is Intradermal Testing.

There are Treatments available in the market for Canine Atopic Dermatitis, let us find out below:

Cytopoint for Dogs

(aka as atopic dermatitis immunotherapeutic-CADI, lokivetmab)

It is an allergic or atopic medicine for dogs. It is administered by an injection given by a professional veterinarian.

Cytopoint’s job is to target and neutralize any of the main proteins that send an itch signal to the dog. This signal triggers his scratching, chewing, and licking. Cytopoint blocks signals triggering allergic itch, so continued scratching, and constant chewing can stop and the dog’s irritated skin will have the opportunity to heal.

One injection of Cytopoint will start controlling the dog’s urge to itch in just a day. This injection will provide relief to the dog that can last for 4 weeks up to 8 weeks.

When is it Time to Get Canine Allergy Injections?

You need to be on top of the progress exam and check with the vet 4 weeks after the initial injection. But, since every dog differs in their reaction, you should be observant and let the vet know any condition your dog may have before the 4th-week schedule.

Cytopoint Cost

Allergy treatments can be as inexpensive as $10 for OTC meds. The other pricier counterpart such as allergy shots and injections of medicine for allergy, or in this case, the CYTOPOINT can make the client shell out from $80-$140 dollars because some clinics will be including the cost of treatment and sum it up as total allergy testing package.

So it would be best to talk to your veterinarian first before bringing your dog for immediate injection. This way you are prepared financially.

Cytopoint Side Effects

In one statistic, there is a 1 in 1,000 chance of getting some side effects such as the itchy rash and swelling of the face.

Cytopoint Dose Chart

A Cytopoint dose chart for dogs of different sizes would typically include the recommended dose of the medication for dogs within certain weight ranges.

Here’s an example of what a Cytopoint dose chart might look like:

Dog Weight Range	Cytopoint Dose
4.4-8.8 lbs (2-4 kg)	10 mg
8.9-16.5 lbs (4.1-7.5 kg)	20 mg
16.6-33 lbs (7.6-15 kg)	40 mg
33.1-66 lbs (15.1-30 kg)	80 mg
66.1-132 lbs (30.1-60 kg)	160 mg

Please note that this is just an example and the actual dose may vary based on the specific needs of your dog. It is important to always follow the dosing instructions provided by your veterinarian and to never give your dog any medication without their guidance.

Pros and Cons of Cytopoint for Dogs

PROS:

• Few and mild short-term side effects: such as lethargy, skin infection, and gastrointestinal.
• Not a chemical-based treatment and will not leave side effects on the liver and kidneys.
• No need to continue maintenance at home because it is a scheduled injection. This makes it more convenient for the owner of the dog.
• Safe for every dog age.
• Safe to use for dogs with other diseases.
• There is a downloadable tracker called CYTOPOINT Allergic Itch Tracker for this medicine.
• There is also what they call the CYTOPOINTMENTS where you will receive appointment reminders via text or email a week before the schedule of your dog’s next appointment.

CONS:

• Long-term studies are not available currently.
• Supposed to last 4-8 weeks but clinically may be a shorter duration.
• Price is more expensive than other oral medicines; the price of the medicine will also depend on your dog’s weight.
• There are reviews that when Cytopoint works, it works great, but for some dogs, the treatment is unsuccessful to treat allergies.

PROS:

• This medicine for atopic dermatitis in dogs works within 24 hours.
• They can use this with other medicine or maintenance that the dog has.
• There are fewer side effects recorded, most complaints are mildly gastrointestinal.
• Fewer expenses as the medicine are based on the number of tablets and not the size of it.
• A skin test is allowed while under this medication.

CON:

• Not indicated for dogs less than 12 months.
• Medication can’t be decreased. Dogs are to take the same tablet orally for maintenance.
• There are cases where the dog’s immune is suppressed.
• Not to be used by dogs with a history of cancer.

Cytopoint vs Apoquel

Apoquel and Cytopoint take effect on the same day.

Apoquel is a drug that inhibits the nerve response of an itch to immune stimulation; Cytopoint is a dog anti-body, so it is not considered a drug that blocks the itch signal in the nerves.

Apoquel and Cytopoint both decrease itchiness.

Apoquel requires giving your pet a tablet every day; Cytopoint is an injection that usually lasts 4-5 weeks.

Apoquel works in as fast as 4 hours, whereas; Cytopoint provides relief to chronic itchiness within one day of administration.

Apoquel is designed for acute itch trigger; Cytopoint provides relief to chronic itchiness for an extended period.

Apoquel and Cytopoint both suppress itching, but somewhat not addressing the underlying cause.

Cytopoint is safe for any dog age; Apoquel can only be administered to dogs from 12 months.

Apoquel may be more cost-effective than Cytopoint because Cytopoint is administered via injection.

Apoquel not safe for dogs with cancer; Cytopoint can be used for dogs with other diseases.

Now that we have made some comparison with two of the top allergy medicines for dogs in the market, you can now select which of the two you should consider for your dog’s allergy.

There are different reasons why certain dog owners will choose any medicine for their dog, but will mostly depend on the noted relief it will provide.

But most of the dog owners and dog lovers will surely always decide not on the price but on the safety of the medicine and how effective it is.

Atopic dermatitis in dogs is surely difficult for them, as it is with their humans. Seeing your dog having trouble sleeping and his daily routine being replaced by his continued scratching and chewing will just make the owners decide faster.

Sources: https://vetmed.illinois.edu/steroids-vs-atopica-vs-apoquel-vs-cytopoint/