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Well, I gave Bogey her first shot ! ! !

Posted : 11/9/2006 6:34:12 AM

Well, I really gave her a shot and I didn't faint. It was so much easier than I thought it would be. We were in the vet's office and he had us do it. My DH held her and he showed me how to lift the skin and it took me a bit to talk myself into putting that needle in, but it went in so much easier than I thought it would (it's pretty small and sharp). But, it was the wierdest feeling - I was almost in tears just from the fact that I didn't want to physically hurt my baby. But, and thank God, she didn't even flinch. So, I think we'll be o.k. We have to watch for any itching/really red reactions for about an hour after. We don't think we saw any more red than usual. We have to give the shots every other day for 4 weeks, and during those 3 weeks we're gradually increasing the dosage and then it's up to every 10 days for a couple weeks, then every 2 weeks for a couple weeks and then every 3 weeks. It will probably be every 3 weeks for the rest of the year and then see how it goes after that. Dr. said that since she is SO allergic to everything, that's the reason for the every other day shot. They had a schedule all printed out with dates to give the shot and the dosage amounts. So, it's pretty painless - hope it stays that way. I just want to thank ALL of you who gave me encouragement during my obsessive days before having to do this. I think I was driving my DH crazy ! ! Oh well, you know, if I didn't love her so much, it wouldn't bother me.

sandra_slayton

Posted : 11/9/2006 8:57:13 AM

Well, I hope all these really helps her and i am sure it will. Our youngest son was allergic to bee and wasp stings and when he was 5 he had to get a shot every week for a year. Up until then each time he got stung he swelled worse than the time before. And some how that kid could find--and get stung by--the only wasp or bee in the neighborhood. Summer before last he was stung by 3 yellow jackets while working in his yard and they didn't even make a red place. Hoepfull you will have the same luck with your baby

I don't think I would have problems just giving a shot. Grew up on farm with hunting dogs and treated many injuires due to barbed wire, thorns, and my Duchess was shot by a grump old neighbor once on a Sunday while i was at church (he made she we knew he had shot the dog) and the pellets were only under the skin and i removed them myself. She was an English Setter, white with very little black ticking and she was a bloody mess when i got in from church. mom had not gone that day for some reason and she was in a state of panic at the sight of Duchess.

jessies_mom

Posted : 11/9/2006 9:18:09 AM

I'm glad the shot went well and am sure the others will too. I did Jessie's first shot at the vet and she didn't flinch either but I was much more nervous doing them at home and she sensed it, which is why she started yelping. She's back to getting them every 2 weeks now because her allergy flare ups have calmed down but I'm thinking about doing them myself again after reading the posts from your other thread. She doesn't yelp when the vet techs do them because they do it quickly and get it over with, which is what I need to do. I hope you see some responce to the shots soon, but they told me not to expect any improvements for 3 to 6 months. However, Jessie seemed to respond within a matter of weeks.

patty

Posted : 11/9/2006 9:23:14 AM

I'm sorry if I missed this some where but how much did the allergy testing cost you? Did they do the skin test? And then how much do you think the serum for the shots is going to run?

I am just trying to decide what route I want to take next with Guinness. We thought it is seasonal but it does not seem to be ending this fall. By the time I spend $40 a month on antihistamine, I might be better off financially to get the testing done. Besides the fact that the antihistamines are not really working.[:@]

cakana

Posted : 11/9/2006 11:31:52 AM

Woohoo Jenny, good for you! You're my hero and it helps to know that if we go that route, I can just remember you were scared too but were able to overcome your fears. I also like that eventually you'll be able to give it only every 3 weeks. Even having to give it every 2 weeks like Janice, would be awesome. I have an appt with our derm vet on Monday to check Sassy over, and I'm going to ask if maybe we should consider going with the shots vs. the Atopica. I've noticed Sassy licking her paws again, her chin still hasn't completely healed, and the other night she came very close to vomiting after dinner and the Atopica.

sallya

Posted : 11/9/2006 12:06:31 PM

Congratulations! You did it! It is never "fun" for sure, but it is just something that has to be done. Yes, the needle is small and sharp. I am glad all went well!

Patty. Trudy has a derm. vet and he did the skin test. I can't remember how much. Not cheap, but the shots are well worth it. Trudy also still has to take her antihistamine. She also eats Nat. Balance Fish and I bath her weekly. She is doing wonderfully!

Trudy started to get better a few weeks after the shot. Was VERY gradual. Really took months to do FANTASTIC! Worth every penny and we are thrilled. Wish I had done it even earlier. I don't think my vets use Atopica. Sally

dyan

Posted : 11/9/2006 4:08:20 PM

GREAT!
Should get easier each time! Good luck!
It took Ollie a little over a month and we saw a difference in him. Hope it works equally as well for you.

Jenny Stromsdorfer

Posted : 11/9/2006 9:48:28 PM

I'm sorry if I missed this some where but how much did the allergy testing cost you? Did they do the skin test? And then how much do you think the serum for the shots is going to run?

I am just trying to decide what route I want to take next with Guinness. We thought it is seasonal but it does not seem to be ending this fall. By the time I spend $40 a month on antihistamine, I might be better off financially to get the testing done. Besides the fact that the antihistamines are not really working.

The testing itself was $250.00. It's called a Liquid Gold Serum. They take blood and it was sent to Calif. This price includes testing for food AND environmental allergies. They have never had any false positive results. It took about 2 weeks to get results back and we found out she's allergic to several grasses, trees, weeds, fleas, flies, dust mites, human dander (us), wool and a few more. Then she's also allergic to beef, corn, milk, duck, and one more-I can't remember right now. So, it took about a week for the serum to get to the vet and we went last night and did the shots. They bill us for the serum and syringes that they gave us last night. Don't know how much that will be but we've got enough to last 4 months. But the biggest cost is the testing and if it works, it's WELL WORTH IT. Just hope the next shot (tomorrow) at home goes as well. As long as she doesn't flinch I think I'll be o.k. The thought of hurting her kills me.

Yeah, he said it could take 4-9 months to see a difference, but what I've heard from most people is that there is some difference within a month or so. And we switched her over from Lamb and Rice to Natural Balance Salmon and Sweet Potato.

Sally - how often do you need to give Trudy shots now? I can't tell you how adorable her picture is.

Again, thanks for all your well-wishes!!!

sallya

Posted : 11/9/2006 10:10:58 PM

I give her a shot every week now, as I did when we started. Thanks for the compliment about Trudy's picture.

Patty, I did the skin test. It was much more expensive, but they did have the results right away. The derm. also made the serum right away. I hope you can get help. It is so hard to see the doggies suffer with allergies. I am so happy that is behind us.

Kim White

Posted : 11/10/2006 8:13:49 PM

Jenny

Im laughing cause I know exactly how you feel.... Today was Alleys shot day...long story but I have a dear friend of mine come over and do it... Alley hasn't a clue when Connie does it but when its me she is snapping etc....and she must be feeling my tension of giving the shot.

We just started them back up again after 4 years and completely had her retested to find out what all she was so allergic too.. If you look at my post on "Immune Rush Therapy" on Alley it explains the way we went so we would have to do it like you are with the building up and giving so many shots frequently. Its something new they are doing. So we started them back up today after her being retested and I only have to do them every 2 weeks which is a breeze.

To make sure she doesn't have a bad reaction I give her a Benedryl an hour before the shot.
And I completely forgot about lifting and pinching up the skin...ugh... I need to tell Connie to do that next time. Its been awhile.

Hang in there...and way to go

I know if it were someone elses dog I could do it but for some reason I cringe when it comes to Alley and Im not usually like this about anything else...

Kim

Jenny Stromsdorfer

Posted : 11/12/2006 10:43:40 PM

To make sure she doesn't have a bad reaction I give her a Benedryl an hour before the shot.
And I completely forgot about lifting and pinching up the skin...ugh... I need to tell Connie to do that next time. Its been awhile.

I like your idea about the Benadryl before the shot. So far, she hasn't had a reaction. We gave her her 3rd one tonight. Not a flinch which makes it so much easier on me. Good idea, though. On Tues. we increas her dose from 0.1 mg. to 0.2. it's not much but it is an increase. But it really makes it easier to pull up the skin. When you pull it up, there's a little "valley" between your thumb and index finger and that's where I give the shot.

Sorry that you're not able to give Ally her shot, honestly, I'm surprised that I can. But fortunately, you have someone who can do it for you. And better that than Ally feeling your tension. The things we go through, huh?

I love your pic of Ally. When I was young we had 2 Scotties. We had Tammy and then her daughter, Mindy. Loved them to death - what great personalities ! ! ! Does she piddle on the floor when she gets excited?

Take care and good luck to you and Ally.

Kim White

Posted : 11/13/2006 7:28:47 PM

Hi Jenny,

No Alley doesn't piddle...LOL thank heavens.... I deal with enough stuff around her with 5 terriers.... I have 2 Scotties and 3 Westies.

I got the Benedryl idea from my specialist

better safe than sorry huh.

Im sure I could do the shots but I rather not if I have someone who is slick and Alley hasn't a clue. There is no way my hubby would do it... LOL

Sounds like your doing great.... Iv bonded with many a people over the fear of giving an allergy shot to there dog...

Take care...
Kim

Jenny Stromsdorfer

Posted : 11/14/2006 9:56:35 AM

Im sure I could do the shots but I rather not if I have someone who is slick and Alley hasn't a clue. There is no way my hubby would do it... LOL

I know what you mean about your hubby not doing the shots. When we found out we were going to have to give them ourselves, I was NOT going to do it and my hubby said he'd do it. But, when we went to the vet for him to teach us how to do it, my DH didn't even offer to do it. So, I did it. I am so glad that I am able to do it - my DH doesn't have a lot of patience and I know that Bogey would be able to sense that and would get scared and it would be miserable for all of us. So, thank God Bogey didn't flinch or yelp the first time so it was easier for all of us. But, like you said, if there is someone who can do it and Alley has no clue - go for it ! !