Dog Community

My dog has allergies - does yours?

Posted : 10/24/2010 6:02:23 PM

My boxer dog, Elsie, suffers from severe allergies. She’s a wonderful dog who loves life, people and her toys – but three years ago her health started to deteriorate. She had itchy paws (which she always chewed on), bleeding ears, itchy skin, hair loss, weight loss and many other health issues. My family struggled with expensive medications, treatments and vet visits. At one point, we were spending over $2,000 a year.

Since I know Elsie isn’t alone, I’m writing a book on dog allergies. You'll see mention of a study I'm doing in my signature.

I'd love to meet others who have allergy dogs. What experiences have you gone through with dog allergies? What solutions work/don't work for you?

punkchica321

Posted : 10/25/2010 12:49:52 AM

Wow. Mine has a little bit but nothing that bad. :-s He just sneezed a lot and licked his paws a lot during the pollen season. I haven't really had to treat it. Sorry for having no advice but I'm sure others will. :)

Myra

Posted : 10/25/2010 5:41:29 AM

I've had two allergy dogs -- The first one started showing signs of allergies in the early 1980s. At that time very little was known about canine allergies. All the vet knew to do was treat with steroids and medicated shampoos. She lived a long life, but she was uncomfortable to miserable for most of it.

Fast forward twenty years and I realized I had another allergy dog on my hands. We jumped on it very pro-actively, starting with a food allergy elimination diet. When that gave only slight relief we immediately opted for allergy testing. He tested allergic to 38 things. At that point deciding whether or not to go with desensitization shots was a no-brainer. Thankfully he responded very, very well to them and within a couple of years stopped exhibiting any allergy symptoms at all.

tashakota

Posted : 10/25/2010 8:14:20 AM

One of my dogs has year round allergies that we are now treating with Atopica and Ketaconazole, while keeping an eye on her liver values.

Now one of my other dogs has started with bad allergies. Scratching his belly and neck a lot and licking his paws. I've been giving an antihistamine but it doesn't appear to be helping much. :(

kathysallergydog

Posted : 10/30/2010 12:18:10 PM

In addition to allergy shots, we use Douxo Chlorohexidine PS Shampoo. It was recommended by our pet dermatologist. Such a great shampoo - keeps her fur glossy and helps control itchies in peak allergy season.

calliecritturs

Posted : 10/30/2010 4:29:06 PM

tashakota
One of my dogs has year round allergies that we are now treating with Atopica and Ketaconazole, while keeping an eye on her liver values.

I know a couple of people on here use Atopica (which is a heavy not-really-a-steroid-but-close also used as an immune suppressor in humans and dogs)

but after our experience with it in treating IMHA I wouldn't touch it. Even in low doses its a serious drug - and Kataconazole is only for fungal infections (meaning it keeps the yeast under control after a breakout). You can do every bit as much with other kinder topicals actually.

I tried the Douxo products on Billy and honestly found them less than so-so. If the allergies aren't severe they can be ok.

So many of these meds are SO hard on the liver -- and the liver SO controls the skin. After 6 years of treating them on Billy (and many more years of battling allergies in other dogs) I can honestly tell you that the less pharmaceuticals we use the better luck I have in treating them.

Probably the best success I have -- particularly with discouraging the paw licking, biting, etc. is with homeopathics. Even just simple over the counter ones.