Bone and joint disorder after Oclacitinib (Apoquel) in dogs

The FDA has received 60 reports of bone and joint disorder in dogs after Oclacitinib. That is 0.2% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 0.1% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

60Reports
75%Marked serious
5.0%Recovered
13%Died or euthanised
85 daysTypical onset
SponsoredWorried about your pet? Ask a veterinarian online, 24/7

How soon it started

Same day
1 3.2%
1–2 days
1 3.2%
3–7 days
2 6.5%
1–4 weeks
8 26%
Over a month
19 61%

How the animals did

Recovered
2 3.3%
Recovered with lasting effects
1 1.7%
Still unwell when reported
46 77%
Died
4 6.7%
Euthanised
4 6.7%
Not known
3 5.0%

Problems reported at the same time

Age of the animals

Under 1 year
0
1–3 years
5
4–7 years
19
8–11 years
24
12+ years
11

About this medicine

Oclacitinib controls itching from allergies (tablet, a JAK inhibitor).

Products with this ingredient include Apoquel. The FDA hides brand names in its public data, so these reports cover every product with the same active ingredients.

Questions owners ask

Can Oclacitinib cause bone and joint disorder in dogs?
60 reports link the two, but a report alone does not prove the medicine was the cause: other illnesses, other medicines or coincidence can be involved. Your vet can judge it for your animal.
How soon after a dose was it reported?
In half of the reports with dates, it started within 85 days of the first dose.
What should I do?
Don't give another dose until you've spoken to your vet, and keep the packaging so you can tell them the product and dose. Your vet can also report it to the FDA (or you can, through the manufacturer or FDA form 1932a).

Bone and joint disorder with similar medicines

All reported side effects of Oclacitinib in dogs · Medicines most reported with bone and joint disorder