Numelvi for Pet Owners

Welcome to the Numelvi® family

Simple and effective itch relief for you and your dog

Numelvi® (atinvicitinib tablets for dogs) is a prescription medication to help manage your dog’s itch associated with allergic dermatitis.

Why Numelvi®?

Acts fast

Starts working in 2–4 hours**, so your dog can get back to feeling normal again.

Suitable for young dogs¹

Approved for dogs 6 months of age and older.¹

Easy, once-daily dosing¹

Given once daily with food at or around mealtime.

Selective mode of action

Numelvi just targets the source of
allergic itch and inflammation without unnecessary extras – giving you and your dog peace of mind.¹

No interference with routine treatments¹

Can be used with other routine treatments and vaccines (including rabies).

About Numelvi

What is Numelvi?

Numelvi is a prescription medication for the treatment of itch associated with allergic dermatitis and atopic dermatitis in dogs. In addition, it is for the treatment of clinical manifestations of atopic dermatitis in dogs.

Numelvi is the first member of the second generation of veterinary Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors for dogs. A JAK inhibitor is a type of medicine that helps to relieve itching and inflammation. Unlike earlier JAK inhibitors that block multiple enzymes, Numelvi targets one specific enzyme that is the primary driver of itch and inflammation. This selective approach helps relieve itching, reduce inflammation without impacting the immune system.

Why did my vet prescribe Numelvi for my dog?

Itchy skin can interfere with your dog’s sleep, play, appetite and behaviour. Your vet has prescribed Numelvi to help keep your dog feeling their best, because your dog deserves life without the constant itch. Numelvi is selective and effective itch relief you can rely on. Numelvi is absorbed quickly, acting fast to relieve itch.

Is Numelvi approved for all dogs with allergic dermatitis?

Numelvi is approved for dogs and puppies as young as 6 months of age.

How often do I need to give Numelvi to my dog?

Numelvi is given once daily with food (at or around mealtime). Numelvi can also be given safely alongside other routine treatments or vaccines.

How often will my dog need to come back for follow-up visits?

This depends on factors like how long your dog has had clinical signs of allergic dermatitis, like itch and inflammation (redness), how severe the clinical signs are and how well your dog responds to the recommended treatment.

What should I do if I miss giving a dose of Numelvi?

If you have missed giving a dose of Numelvi or are not certain whether you gave the dose successfully, then give the next dose as scheduled 24 hours later. There should be no need to administer an extra dose.

How long is a treatment course of Numelvi?

Dogs with flea allergy dermatitis may only require a short course of treatment with Numelvi to reduce itch, in addition to year-round flea control. Dogs with seasonal allergic dermatitis typically require Numelvi every year when they are itchy. Other dogs, like those with atopic dermatitis, may require year-round itch management. We advise year-round flea control for dogs with allergic dermatitis.

Can dogs taking Numelvi be vaccinated?

It is important that a dog remains up to date with vaccinations against serious diseases such as canine distemper, canine hepatitis, canine parvovirus and rabies (if travelling). There is no interference with vaccines during Numelvi treatment.

What Is Allergic Dermatitis?

Allergic dermatitis is an itchy skin condition caused by your dog’s immune system reacting to allergens. Itchy skin can interfere with your dog’s sleep, play, appetite and behaviour.

Prompt treatment of itch and inflammation is important for your dog’s quality of life. Many dogs require lifelong treatment to keep their skin comfortable.

Allergic Dermatitis Can Be a Chronic Condition

Some types of allergic dermatitis are chronic, while others can be seasonal. Either way, managing the itch and inflammation with your vet is important.

Finding relief will not only improve your dog’s well-being—but also your own peace of mind.

What Are the 4 Main Types of Allergic Dermatitis?

Atopic

Triggered by allergens like house dust mites, moulds and pollen.

Food allergy

Triggered by certain foods like beef, chicken, dairy products and wheat.

Flea allergy

Triggered by proteins and other substances injected into the skin by fleas when they bite.

Other

Triggered by insect bites, contact allergens and other irritants.

What Are the Signs of Allergic Dermatitis?

Allergic dermatitis is a disease for life, but our mission is simple: get your dog back to being their happy, tail-wagging self. Work with your vet to create a straightforward plan that keeps the itch under control.

Common signs can include:

Itching

(Can include reddish-brown discoloration of light hair due to licking)

Hair loss

Redness

Discharge

(May be greasy, oozing or contain blood and can be localised ‘hot spot’)

Scaling

(Dandruff, may be localised patches and/or crusts)

Leathery or thickened skin

Most Common Areas Affected

Food-responsive dermatitis cannot be distinguished from other forms of allergic dermatitis by areas affected alone. Flea allergy dermatitis most commonly affects the rump, but can also be found on the belly, back of thighs and neck. Sometimes, pets can have flea allergies and other types of skin allergies at the same time.

How you can help your itchy dog

Be patient with the process

Diagnosing your dog’s itch may take some time. Your vet might check for fleas, infections and food allergies. Stay the course, you are on the right track!

Watch for itching

As your dog gets used to their new treatment, keep an eye out for any breakthrough itching and discuss this with your vet at your next check in.

Celebrate small wins

Every little win counts. Fewer scratches or a wagging tail means your dog is on the path to feeling normal again.

Consistency is key

Your vet’s advice is a great action plan, so follow it step by step. Skipping doses of prescribed medications or changing treatments could delay progress and keep your dog scratching longer. Avoid introducing new treats, food, supplements or coat and hair care products unless these have been discussed with your vet.

How Was Your Dog’s Cause of Itch Diagnosed?

Allergic dermatitis is a diagnosis of exclusion. Your vet will rule out and treat other causes of itch before confirming a diagnosis of allergic dermatitis.

To start, your vet may have done some or all of the following:

Taken a detailed history of your dog

Conducted a thorough physical examination

Performed diagnostic tests such as skin scrapings, skin swabs or hair tests to check for parasites and other infections

Recommended a diet trial to see if your dog’s signs improve after switching to a specially formulated diet

Every dog is different, so your vet will use their expertise and judgement to decide the treatment plan that is best for your pet.

Follow up with your vet to help keep your dog itch-free and comfortable.

Frequently Asked Questions

Get answers to common questions about your dog’s itchy skin and how to manage it.

About Allergic Dermatitis

What is atopic dermatitis?

Atopic dermatitis is a chronic form of allergic dermatitis in dogs. The development of atopic dermatitis is complex. It typically develops in response to skin exposure to common environmental allergens like house dust mites, moulds and plants.² A combination of factors like genetics, abnormalities in the skin barrier and skin microbiome, environmental exposure and lifestyle can influence the development of atopic dermatitis. These complex interactions contribute to the differences in pattern and severity of clinical signs and prognosis in affected dogs.²

Are there specific breeds or age groups that are more prone to developing allergic dermatitis?

Allergic dermatitis can affect any dog breed and age group, but certain breeds may be more predisposed. Breeds such as Boxer, Bulldog, Labrador Retriever, Pug and West Highland White Terrier are predisposed to atopic dermatitis.² Dogs may develop allergic dermatitis at any age, but signs often start between the ages of 6 months and 3 years.³

How common is otitis externa in dogs with allergic dermatitis?

Otitis externa is inflammation of the external ear with overgrowth of bacteria and/or yeast. It is common and occurs in up to 10-20% of dogs in general practice.^4-6 Allergic dermatitis is the primary cause of otitis externa in more than two-thirds of affected dogs.^6,7 It is the most common cause of otitis externa in dogs and may be the only sign of allergic dermatitis.^6,8

How do you treat a dog’s itchy skin?

Vets usually prescribe an itch-relief treatment as the first line of defence and may also recommend supportive care like a medicated shampoo, fatty acid supplements, year-round flea control or a specific diet to help keep your dog feeling their best.

Effective management and treatment of allergic dermatitis can help relieve symptoms and improve your dog’s quality of life.

Can I use more than one itch-relief treatment on my dog?

Your vet will recommend the best course of treatment for your dog’s itchy skin, which may include a combination of an oral prescription treatments for itch like Numelvi and other products like antibiotic and antifungal creams, medicated shampoos, topical skin and ear cleansers or nutritional supplements. Numelvi is approved to use with these common products as well as other routine treatments like flea, tick and internal parasite medicines.

What should I expect when tackling my dog’s itch?

When managing your dog’s itch, here are a few points to keep in mind:

Be patient with the process. Diagnosing the cause of your dog’s itch may take some time.
Consistency is key. Skipping doses of prescribed medications, changing treatments or introducing new treats, food, supplements or coat and hair products could delay progress and prolong scratching.
Stay on top of the itch. Long-term care and regular veterinary check-ins can be essential to keeping your dog comfortable.
Celebrate small wins. Fewer scratches or a wagging tail means your dog is on the path to feeling their best!

What information should I share with my vet during appointments?

Every observation helps your vet get closer to answers. Be sure to tell your vet if you’ve noticed changes in:

Your dog’s routine 
(Flea-control products, new foods or treats)
Your dog’s behaviour
 (More scratching, licking or chewing; changes in mood, appetite or energy level)
Your dog’s condition 
(Skin changes, hair loss, ear problems or odour)

What other management approaches help to optimise a dog’s skin and coat health?

Additional treatment using a combination of baths, supplements and diet may help to optimise a dog’s skin and coat health and minimise flare-ups.⁹ Regular monitoring and follow-up with the veterinary team, particularly if a dog has a recurrence of itch (flare-up) are important. The sooner itch treatment starts, the faster the itch will resolve and the less long-term damage there will be to a dog’s skin.

Do dogs with allergic dermatitis need allergy tests?

Allergy tests may help to identify triggers of allergy in individual dogs but do not diagnose allergy or differentiate dogs with allergic dermatitis from healthy dogs.¹⁰ They can be helpful in guiding treatment like allergen avoidance and allergen-specific immunotherapy (ASIT, allergy injections) in dogs with atopic dermatitis. Allergy tests for dogs include blood tests for specific antibodies and intradermal skin testing (IDT).

How are dogs with food-responsive dermatitis identified?

A food elimination trial helps to identify whether a dog has food-responsive dermatitis. During this trial, a strict diet containing a novel or hydrolysed protein source is fed. During the trial, it is crucial that the dog does not consume table scraps, flavoured treatment, treats or dietary supplements, as these can make the results of the trial difficult to interpret. The trial typically lasts for 8 to 12 weeks.⁸ At the end of the trial, the previous diet is re-introduced. If the itch returns on re-introduction of the previous diet, this helps to confirm that the dog has food-responsive dermatitis. Continuing to feed the special diet will help to reduce or even eliminate the need for itch treatment or other types of treatment.

Resources

Access these materials to learn more about allergic dermatitis and how best to care for your itchy dog.

October 22, 2025

Numelvi for Pet Owners

October 22, 2025

Numelvi for Pet Owners

October 22, 2025

Numelvi for Pet Owners

References

Numelvi® Summary of product characteristics
Hensel P, Saridomichelakis M, Eisenschenk M, et al. Vet Dermatol. 2024;35(1):15-24.
Santoro D. Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract. 2019;49(1):9-26.
O’Neill DG, Church DB, McGreevy PD, et al. PLoS One. 2014;9(3):e90501.
Hill PB, Lo A, Eden CA, et al. Vet Rec. 2006;158(16):533-539. Correction published in Vet Rec. 2006;158(22):763.
Zur G, Lifshitz B, Bdolah-Abram T. J Small Anim Pract. 2011;52(5):254-258.
Hnilica KA. Diseases of the eyes, claws, anal sac and ear canals. In: Hnilica KA, ed. Small Animal Dermatology: A Color Atlas and Therapeutic Guide. 4th ed. Elsevier; 2011:395-409.
Miller J, Simpson A, Bloom P, et al. J Am Anim Hosp Assoc. 2023;59(6):255-284.
Nuttall TJ, Marsella R, Rosenbaum MR, Gonzales AJ, et al. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2019;254(11):1291-1300.
Mueller RS. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2023;261(S1):S30-S35.

*Over the other JAK enzymes in in vitro assays
** Based on a canine interleukin-31 induced pruritus model

Numelvi® tablets for dogs contains atinvicitinib. POM-V. Further information is available from the SPC, datasheet or package leaflet. Advice should be sought from the medicine prescriber. Prescription decisions are for the person issuing the prescription alone. Use Medicines Responsibly.

MSD Animal Health UK Limited, Walton Manor, Walton, Milton Keynes, MK7 7AJ, UK.

Registered in England & Wales no. 946942.