â¢ PILOT (noun) The noun PILOT has 6 senses: 1. someone who is licensed to operate an aircraft in flight. 2. a person qualified to guide ships through difficult waters going into or out of a harbor. 3. a program exemplifying a contemplated series; intended to attract sponsors.
It is a completely different family of drug from those vets currently have access to for itchy dogs (steroids, antihistamines, immunotherapy, cyclosporines). The drug is reported as starting to work and give benefit to your dog within 4 hours of the first tablet. Itching is said to be controlled after just 24 hours.
There is not yet much information about the safety of Apoquel, but it seems to be low risk for short-term use, as well as effective. The manufacturer also cites a study which claims that the drug produced minimal side effects in dogs who were treated for 2 years.