Due to the shortage of Apoquel available, my vet has run out and doesn’t have any to refill Brutus’ prescription.  After a year on the medication that greatly helps his allergies, we are going to see how he does being off it for about a month while we await a new shipment.  Thankfully he is on antibiotics for yet another foot infection and still on the anti-fungal, so hopefully that will help him from getting further foot issues and a larger infection while we wait for the medication.

What it won’t do is take away his itchiness which is already returning after 2 days without the Apoquel.. He will go back to getting Zyrtec in a couple of days and that will take a bit of the edge off.

The makers of Apoquel, Zoetis, Inc. didn’t foresee the onslaught of orders that they have had to limit the amount sent to vets each month.  Vets can only give out a months worth at a time.  Even if a vet at another practice has some in stock, he can not give it to another vet to dispense to badly in need patients due to rules and regulations.  All of this leads to dogs having to do without.

Normally dogs already on the prescription have been given first priority from Zoetis to receive the Apoquel shipment, but alas time and shortage have finally caught up with us here.  Vets are not supposed to dispense to any new clients, but I wouldn’t be surprised if that was not the case, further adding to the problem across the country.

In a few days, the crusty lumps and bumps should reappear and I will go back to bathing his feet and legs almost everyday.  I have to be thankful that this did not happen in the summer or fall.  Let’s hope that Zoetis is correct in stating it hopes to be caught up by April 2015.

This shortage has further emphasized my need to get him allergy tested regardless of the high cost in my area.  Going to be about $1200 up front for testing and first 3 months of shots.  In the end it will be cheaper then the Apoquel, but lets hope it will be as effective.  Now if I could only get an appointment at the dermatologist that is backed up for months, that would be helpful..

Here’s hoping 2014 ends with only a slight itch and that 2015 brings with it much needed relief.

Till next time!

Brutus and L