Looking for advice on skin allergies

[Stac&Syd]

Our Sydney has just been determined to have skin allergies. We do not know exactly what she is allergic to as we have not been to the dermatologist. Our regular vet gave us a steroid to take for 3 months and wants us to think about the dermatologist. I am not going to start the steroid as we are going to get the appt to take her to Buffalo, NY to the dermatologist. I am wondering what people do around their home to control this. I am a clean freak and try to vaccum & dust everyday as I notice when I don't she itches a lot more.

Does anyone know how I can find out info on the dermatologist? :dogbark

We just want our baby to be happy!! She is only 4 :032

[2blondebabes]

If you are new to the board you should do a search on allergies and food. There are many posts related to that. Many people on this board have had great success with dog food changes. There are many excellant premium dog foods that are corn and wheat free. What are you feeding your dog? Many people have commented that Science Diet was one food amoung many others that is horrible for a dog with allergies. I feed my dog Canidae and my dog does wonderfully on it. You may want to check into the food relationship before you spend a ton of money on tests, medicines and steroid shots. Most of the good premium foods can't be found at Petsmart. Depending on where you live you may need to order off of the internet or buy at a feed store or specialty dog food store. Hopefully it is as easy as switching foods for your babys' problems! :)

[Stac&Syd]

Food allergies have been ruled out. It is definately a skin allergy/dermatitus. I have been giving her Vitacaps one a day and that has helped her. The vet gave us a different steroid to give her however I am not thrilled about giving her steroids so I have not started them. I called the vet to ask if it would just be more beneficial to our baby and us just to take her to a Derm. and have the testing done. I have been told this can get really expensive. Any ideas? I am also wondering what can be done at home to help with her itching. I vacuum everyday and try to dust a couple times a week, I wash all of our bedding once a week, and believe it or not this has all seemed to help. I am wondering about an air purifier or ionic breeze. Has anyone had any success with this? I am open for anyone suggestions. I had wonderful responses writing on here about her recurring ear infections and that led us to finding out about this allergy problem. THANKS EVERYONE!!! :woofpup

[maine-girl]

I know that my last dog was a schnoodle with an allergy to grass. when we were in nova scotia we went to an old fashioned vet because of her hot spots, etc. He prescribed for us to give her tuna in oil and to give her sea water baths. We would actually take her to the waters edge and toss her in the water. It really cleared up the hot spots and the allergies. I know in Pa. it's quite a treck to the ocean, but maybe adding some fish oil and tuna might help.?

[2blondebabes]

I was just talking to a gal today at the gym. She also has a 4 year old GR with allergies. She went to a dermatologist and got him tested and he had several non-food related allergies. She gives him a shot a week herself. It is just like an allergy shot that people take not a steroid. She said the shots have helped a ton. She also put him on Solid Gold's holistic dog food. She also takes him to a groomer once a month, but I don't know if they use special shampoo. I guess maybe it helps to keep the coat free of allergens. :confused: Anyway, she did say she spent a lot of money initially, but now that he is getting shots he is doing much better.

[diiorio]

First off I am so sorry you have to go through this, it is a hard and miserable thing for dogs.

Allergies and skin conditions can be so tricky. Usually you first see if there is Bacteria and/o yeast present and treat that first (Ketoconazole treats yeast well, Cyclosporin other derm related bacteria).

For allergies, finding the source of the allergies can be tricky, and tests through a specialist does help. There ar injections o help greatly. We have a Collie that comes in for injections weekly. Since doing so, his skin looks great. It too kawhiel to fidn the cause, but was worth it.

Are you sure food allergies were ruled out? What tests were done to confirmit. If you did the food switch trials, even one slip up of a dog biscuit can mess up the time you do it and you start over. The prenciple behidn doign the trial is to put im n a very strict prescription food with a protien source/carb source your dogs body has never seen (Duck/Kangaroo ect..). He has only that food, no cookies, not treats other then those specified,no table scraps nothing for several weeks to see if it improves. Soem iems it takes 2 trials.

specialists can do tests to see if there is reaction to specific samples, much liek they do in humans. If it is a common allergen that is practically impossible to illiminate in the enviroment, then allergy injectons can be very helpfull in building the bodies resistance.

Even hough our office is havign great improvemen in handlign skin conditions, we still ave those cases that are so bad that nothign helps. We feel so sorry for those dogs hat have to go through it. If we can avoid steriods long erm we ry our best to get to the source, it's just sometimes the source isn' stoppable.

good luck and hope he feels better.

Added note: Fish oils was a good recommendaton. Get Omega 3 fatty acid based fish oils capsules (can get at any drug store or store havign suppliments) or a bottle of VET omega 3 faty oils in the pump bottle. Give the human adult dose.

Fish oils have anti-inflamatory poperiies, especially in skin.

[diiorio]

Also are you giving any Benadryl or Clortrimitron to help with the itching? 25mg of bendryl 2-3 times daily may help till you get to the derm specialist.

[Stac&Syd]

Yes we did the food trial and there was no change in the situation. I have been giving her vitacaps w/omega fatty and that has helped. Now Today I went through and washed all her toys bedding etc, and she seems to be doing good today. We have days where she itches a lot and days where she doesn't. Our vet called us last night and said not to give the steroids and that he is contacting the Derm. To see how long she wants to wait before testing her. I guess they need to make sure she is off all meds for a period of time before testing. We should know more by the end of this week. I am glad to know it is safe to give her benadryl and the amounts. So if we have a real itchy day between now and her testing I can give her that. Thank you muchly Diirio for your input. it has been very helpful. I will keep you posted. jump2

[Chillers]

Hi Stac&Syd --

Good luck figuring out what your poor pup is allergic too...life with allergies is very frustrating.

Just wanted to offer something I learned from my own human experience of allergy testing. Benadryl is definitely a miracle when it comes to itching...but check with your dermatologist when you get the testing scheduled to see how many days prior to testing they might need you to be 'med free'. I know with people, no Benadryl for at least 72 hours prior to testing and other allergy meds even longer (up to 7 days!...that was a very long week...). This ensures that the testing is accurate and nothing is masked by having the smallest amount of drug in the system.

Best of luck!
Chillers

[diiorio]

May want to also seek a homeopathic vet.

Jsut so you know use of suppliments and herbs ect are gaining momentum in vet medicine. Many stand by suppliments like condrotin/glucosimine and fish oils. We know fro mresults it works.

We also knwo componded allergy injections and herbal mixes work. Even our clinic is getting into it and researchig nit and why it works.

Many of those natural remedies work better in conjunction with regualr meds (even though some meds are fro mnatual sources already).

From my families American Indian side, we have often used certain natural remedies we trust. It makes since tht the earth contains the secrets to cures. It woudl apply to animals as well.

I really hoep you get thsi under conrol, it is so hard on our poor animals. knwo peope lthat moved a town awy and suddenly teir dog is better, pointign at some allergen that was aroudn the old house. It's a tricky thing.

P.S. The season seems to be starting early here.

[Jo Ellen]

Vitamin C, Fish Oil and animal protein. Not vegetable protein -- animal protein. I have some more information at home, I'll bring it in this afternoon and share more.

Is there any correlation, that you notice, between the allergy outbreaks and vaccinations? I was just reading up on this last night....

[Stac&Syd]

JoEllen you suggest Vitamin C, how much and just the same pill you would give a child or human? There does not seem to be any correlation with vaccines. The strange thing is her worst time is Winter. Now that Spring is coming she is doing really well, Gave her a bath with tea tree shampoo from Dr. Foster & Smith and she is doing well. She did have a little bit of dry skin prior to the bath. We have been almost 3 1/2 ,months without an ear infection or a sore throat so we apparently are doing something right. Any imput you have is greatly appreciated. Thank you