If you’ve ever met my Bulldog, Pork Wonton, you already know he’s a character—full of charm, stubbornness, and a deep love for snacks. But you probably don’t know how much effort has gone into managing his allergies. 

I get asked all the time:
“Why don’t you just give him Apoquel or Cytopoint?”
Here’s the honest answer: because I love him too much to take the easy way out. 

Sure, it would be more convenient to suppress his symptoms and give him more food variety. But symptoms are a signal—his body’s way of telling me something is off. Masking them with a drug doesn’t fix the problem; it just silences it. 

Getting to the Root of His Allergies

Instead of medicating, I chose to investigate. With help from our holistic vet, Dr. Farthing, we ran allergy tests and did a full elimination diet. One of the most useful tools was the Dr. Dodds NutriScan (also known as the Rope Test), which showed us that Pork Wonton is highly allergic to eggs and reacts to a variety of other common ingredients. 

By identifying what triggers him and finding a diet that works for his body, we were able to manage his symptoms naturally—without immune-suppressing drugs. 

Why I Won’t Use Apoquel or Cytopoint

These medications are often marketed as miracle solutions for itching, but they come with serious concerns: 

Apoquel (oclacitinib):

  • Suppresses the immune system 

  • Increases risk of infections (ear, skin, respiratory) 

  • May promote growth of existing cancers 

  • Common side effects: vomiting, diarrhea, and elevated liver enzymes 

  • Only approved for short-term use, though frequently used long-term 

Cytopoint (lokivetmab):

  • Suppresses interleukin-31, a key immune response protein 

  • Can cause lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea 

  • Long-acting injectable means side effects can linger for weeks 

  • Not addressing the cause—just blocking the symptom (itching) 

These aren't risks I’m willing to take, especially when there are safer, natural alternatives. 

Supporting His Immune System Naturally

In addition to a clean, allergy-friendly diet, I support Pork Wonton with natural remedies like CBD to help soothe inflammation and itching from the inside out. I’ve found that a high-quality, full-spectrum CBD product not only helps with his comfort but supports his immune system without dangerous side effects. 

If you're considering CBD instead of Apoquel, I highly recommend reading this article:
CBD vs. Apoquel: A Natural Alternative 

Final Thoughts

This path hasn’t been the easiest, but it’s been the right one for us. I refuse to trade long-term health for short-term convenience. And Pork Wonton? He’s thriving—itch-free, drug-free, and still running the show as CEO (Chief Eating Officer) of Dog Krazy.