Benedryl Help

I usually talk about two - the TCVM (Chi Institute) -- the Traditional Chinese VEterinary Medicine OR the American Holistic Veterinary Assc.

My best guess here is going to be the TCVM just cos it's so much like Billys.  And generally it's the herbs that help clear it or control is -- altho the homotox treatments (which would be the other site but I'd need to help you sort that one out -- the search is straight from the PIT).

NEITHER are going to want to be your "regular" vet -- seriously.  A vet who tries to straddle THAT typically doesn't do a very good job (in my opinion at least).  I'm talking about "compimentary therapy" ONLY.  And no - you don't want to just send someone.  David and I BOTH go to be honest -- because it tends to involve life in general. 

But you'll be there a LONG TIME.  This is not your typical 5 minute vet visit.  These vets are gonna spend like an hour or two with you and the dog.  HUGE HUGE exam -- multitudes of questions and typically counsel about diet (and I don't mean which premium kibble you use -- this gets really specific sometimes in Chinese medicine depending on how the vet operates). 

Let me just say it's a LEARNING experience usually.  But I would love to see if there is a homotox vet anywhere near you-- that truly is where Billy found the most help -- the TCVM helps control it very well -- but the hmtx is the closest to the word 'cure' you'll find. 

 Well Ari has a regular vet appointment tomorrow night and I'm going to push whatever tests I can think of for them to do. Her skin is not getting any better. In some areas now, she's bit herself raw and it's scabbing (thankfully these areas are small). I'm keeping her as clean as possible, without a full on bath every day (it hurts my back something fierce to bath her, not because she fights it, but just being stooped over for that long).

I know I'm not a bad dog owner, but I feel like one. I hate to see her in any discomfort, though she is still crazy and in good spirits!

We really really need to talk - I'm pretty sure some homeopathics WOULD help her -- it can make them SO Much more comfortable and reallyl reduce the itch. 

You want a full blood workup.  Truly do NOT NOT NOT bother with thyroid from Antech -- ask your vet to send it to Michigan State or straight to Hemopet to Dr. Dodds (I just got Billy's back yesterday and it's like 3 pages worth!!!) -- and I actually get the whole blood panel done by Dr. Dodds (it's more comprehensive than what you get via a lab).  It's a bit more expensive because you have to overnight it to California.

 http://www.hemopet.org will give you all the forms your vet needs and they'll tell you exactly how much blood needs to be drawn (I don't have that for Michigan -- and SOME vets are more at ease sending to a vet school -- but at least MS is still breed-specific).

It tells you WAY more. 

Then, if you can see that TCVM vet that's probably gonna help ARi a bunch.  But like I said -- if we can talk I can give you some background on what they actually do -- it might give you a little more confidence going in.

 Honestly I would not spend the money at this point for allergy-testing.  It's likely not to tell you much that you can DO anything about.  If you've got oak, maple and pine in your yard and the dog is allergic to oak, maple or pine ... what do you do??  Now ... if you find out something unique -- like that the dog is allergic to feathers ... and he sleeps with you under your duvet -- yea, THAT is helpful.  but so often it's not.  It can feel burdensome to know all these allergens and not be able to control them.

 Callie, I'm so sorry! It's been another crazy week for me. I'm available anytime this weekend or any night next week.

The vet visit went OK. I utterly forgot about asking for blood tests, as I was starving and tired. The vet suspects environmental allergens and told us to increase her Benedryl slightly and we got an antibiotic for the slight skin infection she caused with her licking/biting. I'm going to start bathing her a couple times a week, and I'll be keeping a towel downstairs to wet and do a wipe down on her with when she comes inside. I've also started putting fish oil on her food (which by the way she thinks is AWESOME lol).

Next up, talk to Callie *wry grin*, make holistic appointment and not beat myself up too much about this. I didn't like the vets mention that allergies tend to worsen as dogs get older. I really hope that is not the case, b/c she's bad enough.

In good news, Ari got to go to one of her favorite places. The vet! She hammed it up for everyone there and was VERY good about laying on her side, while the vet inspected her legs and belly. She didn't move a muscle. Everyone got some flat coat kisses and she got a lot of attention. She even made the vet laugh, when she was putting on her best cute face and sitting as close as possible to him, without actually being IN his lap.

It's been crazy for me as well -- and next week will be insane.  David and I are going away for a few days and I'm trying to get ready for a major trip (dogs going in two directions and meds all put up,etc.) in a few days.  AND it's a full insane weekend coming up.  We'll make it yet -- it's just not going to be boring around here for the next 10 days.