Deb -- there are four types of allergy -- atopic (inhaled), food allergy, contact allergy and flea allergy dermatitis
Yes, food allergies are real -- but typically aren't primary. Atopic allergies are typically the primary allergy and then can morph into any and all other kinds of allergy. Food switching can make a real mess because then you wind up exposing the dog over and over to new potential allergens.
(why this switched fonts I have no idea).
As to whether it's going to be seasonal (which would be atopic allergies) or if it will be permanent? There's no answer to that yet. Typically dog allergies worsen over time -- the big deal is not over-expose him to new new new things.
Typically -- ANY kind of atopic or even food allergy often hits the mucus membranes - like inside the ears, and even the anal tissues. Ears are often the first place for allergies to erupt. But unlike humans, most dog allergies of *any* kind come out on the skin.
Your vet is probably right -- however, I'm not going to recommend the straight veterinary route either. If you strongly suspect food allergy -- the only real way to know is to do a real food trial -- cook for him with just 2 ingredients and once you get him to clear then you add things in. You really can't do a true elmination diet on any sort of commercial food. But food is NOT where I'd start. Particularly since it IS spring and the time of greening and there have been no changes you're aware of, likely it's atopic.
Billy has to be THE worst allergy dog I've ever had (and man, trust me -- I've had some BIG allergy dogs).
I know I say this about a lot of things, but probably the biggest help for Billy has been both TCVM and homeopathy. TCVM (and there are superb TCVM vets all over NJ -- from up near the City down to Cape May they are ALL over) helps in so many ways.
Allergies are, at their core, an immune problems. acupuncture can really help balance the immune system. The Oriental herbs are incredible -- they stop the itching and help deal with both the allergies and the resulting skin/ear problems.
Homeopathy was the key to Billy's. (and to mine actually) The best part about both TCVM and homeopathy is no side effects.
However -- right now you need to begin to help the body cope with the allergens. Benedryl is often a first step ... there are MANY antihistamines that work on dogs. Again I'm going to say they aren't always the best alternative -- they take a toll on the kidneys and everything else.
Gina's suggestion of the blood panel is THE BEST first step. Because if it IS a thyroid problem then ain't nuffin you do otherwise gonna work!!
At this point I really prefer sending stuff to Dr. Dodds directly. She does an absolutely awesome blood panel along with the thyroid panel and then SHE will also consult with your vet or you via email.
If you go to http://www.hemopet.org -- you'll find the form your vet will need to fill out and guidance on how much blood to draw (because she does such a HUGE panel -- which is bigger and more broad than Antechs chem panel) she needs more blood than is usually drawn. The vet then prepares the blood and you OVERNIGHT IT on ice to her. Honestly it's a bit more money but just getting her input and the extra information can find thyroid problems that regular testing misses.
See she's not just checking for mere thyroid - but also for some of the auto-immune stuff we're seeing crop up -- it gives the vet more information for diagnosis.
Dr. Dodds was head of MSU (Michigan State University)'s endocrinology department for years. When she reitred she went to California and started Hemopet (which is a dog blood donor agency) but it also allows her to consult with vet schools and research blood diseases.
She set up MSU's endocrine lab and it was Dr. Dodds who initially came up with the idea of breed-specific thyroid testing.
When you send for thyroid panel to most labs they literally use the same "chart" for a chihuhua as a rottweiler as a beagle as an akita. But each breed has a different metabolic pattern.
She's well known and respected. But she tends not to just look at results as 1, 2, 3 -- just getting HER input is invaluable.
When we first got Billy his ears were literally swelled shut from allergies. We thot we were going to have to have ear ablations done on him (that was the assumption when we got him).
I barrelled in with herbs AND with the TCVM and we got a long ways. But I could NOT get it to resolve.
NOT UNTIL we had done FOUR thyroid panels to the regular lab. FINALLY I said "Can we send this for breed-specific testing?" and ALL the vets hollered YES!! Initially we used MSU, but Dr. Dodds has that beat in all ways. Every time the regular one had come back just above borderline so ... they didn't supplement.
WOW -- did breed-specific testing? HE WAS **LOW**. Most definitely low, and as history has now proven, it's not easy with Billy to elevate it.But what a huge huge difference it made.
Now, I don't use a synthetic (like Synthroid) on him -- we use a natural glandular. But WOW -- what a huge difference. The biggest part of the allergies cleared after we startes supplementing him.
The synthetics (your normal thyroid med that the vet prescribes) aren't "bad" -- but you get a better coat, etc. with the glandular usually. If I can possibly use a natural I'm going to.
But in all of the above, Billy does still have allergies but largely we keep them at bay. Allergies you don't "cure" - you simply find what works and maintain.