Another quick Cytopoint update for Norman. It has been about 5 weeks since he started the injections. He’s on his 2nd round and overall, he’s doing pretty good.
However, the itching definitely hasn’t disappeared. Although we didn’t really expect him to not itch at all because, well then what would I write about?
The biggest concern is actually some hot spots that have developed on his back. Not sure if they are related to the Cytopoint shots, but the areas look like the skin is infected and they will bleed if he flips on to his back and rubs on the carpet.
They end up pretty scaly afterwards. His tail also seems to have a similar situation going on.
Reaction to Cytopoint?
We did go to the vet and got some shampoo for the areas. It seems to dry them out pretty well but they have not disappeared. And his skin is visibly red under the fur.
We probably need to go back and get them checked out again.
There is still some redness on his belly, but most of the bumps that used to cover him are gone. Or at least they are smaller and less frequent.
Most of the redness is underneath his arms and legs (do dogs have arms?). He has also developed some inflamed areas on his paws, as he’s begun to lick them more often.
Here’s a couple pictures I took yesterday.
Have You Tested Your Dog for Allergies Yet?
Ok, if you haven’t tested your dog yet – or even if you have but it was inconclusive – I want to let you know about a pretty simple and easy at home test.
5 Strands Affordable Testing makes at home allergy tests for dogs. They test for hundreds of allergens, both food and environmental.
For the price, it’s a great way to get information on what is causing your dog all the bumps and redness and itchiness. If you want to check it out, click here to get more info —>> Affordable Allergy Testing Kit
As I mentioned in a previous post, we are no longer giving him Apoquel. However, he does get a couple Benadryl each day.
Another thing we have noticed is he seems less interested in his food. He’s only been eating once a day, usually in the evening.
Most days we get home to see he hasn’t yet touched his food from the morning. Again, not sure this is due to the injections, but it is a new behavior.
Cytopoint Update
In the last few weeks we have received many comments from people on social media. Some people have been reporting bumps or hives after injections of Cytopoint.
We have seen these on Norman as well, but I wasn’t able to get a great picture of them.
If anyone else would like to share their experience with their dog’s allergies, we’d love to get your comments. It doesn’t have to be related to Cytopoint. We’ve tried everything else too!
Hi, Our 8 year old English bulldog has twice developed quite severe hives roughly 4-5 weeks after a Cytopoint injection. Her itch, however, is totally under control. We couldn’t identify the cause and neither her dermatologist or regular vet could tell why. I have had to put her on steroids to control the hives.
Hi Eric, Just wondering how Norman is going, Pixie has started licking her paws again so I am a little worried about taking her back to the Vet as I know they will try and talk me into going back on apoquel probably but she is alright on cynopoint for about 3 weeks then goes backwards again scratching her head on the carpet making her ears bald and scaly. I have been putting oatmeal conditioner on her legs drying then puting bandages on them to stop her from licking and making them red. She is driving me to insanity I… Read more »
Hi, Glad that Norman is going alright but my dog Pixie had her second injection about 3 weeks ago and she too is begining to stratch her head all over the carpet again as well as licking her paws but not to the extent of what she was doing to them before but it is very worrying as I do not know whether to put her back on apaquel which she had to have 1 tablet a day as half was not holding the itch as good as 1 a day or continue to perservere with cytopoint. She is also… Read more »
Hi there. We have an itchy Westie who has been on/off apoquel and Cytopoint for the past 2 years. Cytopoint started working amazingly, but he started developing some hives and apparently staph infections after the 3rd and 4th injections. We’re not sure if we should continue with the Cytopoint or go back to Apoquel. He reacts SO much better to Cytopoint, however, we don’t want to do harm to him if the hives/infections cause discomfort.
Matt – Norman developed some hives after the initial injection but we gave him some Benadryl and they went away pretty quickly. I would check with the vet before deciding. Especially if the Cytopoint is indeed helping your Westie. Overall, it seems to be safer than long term Apoquel usage.
poor little guy. it breaks my my heart. My dog has the exact problem, on-going now for 4 year. Apoquel worked for a month and then stopped working; bathing her daily and omega 3 fatty acid oil for her skin has been the only thing that kept it down to a dull roar. But like your little guy – my, my girl’s underbelly, under arms, and legs look just like Norman’s. And she smell terrible – as she now has a chronic all over yeast infection. It is heart breaking. So today my vet told me about Cytopoint, and immediately… Read more »
Thank you for sharing. It sounds like we have the same routine. I hope she responds well to the cytopoint. It has really helped Norman, although I’m not sure it’s lasting as long as it used to. But when he gets the injection, he definitely feels better for a few weeks. Let me know how it works for you. Take Care!