Grass Allergy

Hi Steph,   Ollie my sons Great Dane had allergies to grass and dust.   He was skin tested by a skin specialist.  He was given weekly allergy shots for almost 6 months, of the allergen,,,slowy increasing it so that they can tolerate what they are allergic to.  They taught my son to give the shots although he could have taken him in each week for it.   It worked.  And thank goodness because there is nothing you can do about grass and dust,,its just there.   And besides skin issues,,,he would stop eating, get skinny, get acne and just everything. Doc would put him on antibitics and sometimes steroids to clear things up and it would come back.   Something had to be done.      This worked!   Also, a dog that has allergies  usually in a weakened condition.  We believe Ollies immune systom was weakened because of vaccinations and things like that. He no longer gets them. AND he eats premium food with a little real meat and veggies and morning raw egg added to his kibble.

Can I ask a couple of questions?
 
Is "hives" a word the vet used?  Usually hives don't occur in a few spots -- they rather happen as a 'rash' over an area and 'hives' specifically is a really severe allergic/anaphylacitc reaction that can worsen and involve the respiratory system.
 
However, dogs can develop "papules" (zits that are just bumps - no pus in them, just red/sore bumps) as a response to allergies.  (I'm just wanting to determine the severity here.)
 
But are the spots just on the belly -- like where there is no hair?  How about places like under the 'armpits' and groin?  But there aren't any on the back?  (weakness in two different areas -- both of which are responding to allergens - can cause it popping out in two areas). 
 
Do you see any small tiny blisterlike areas on the belly or underside??
 
Can you give me an idea of where you live??  I'm trying to get an idea of if this is just "atopic" (hayfever/grass type of allergy) or if there could be some contact allergy in it.
 
I've had a bunch of "allergy dogs" -- you may be able to lessen the severity of the reaction depending on what causes it.
 
Allergy meds ... over the long haul ... aren't horribly injurious (like other treatments like prednisone would be).  And the dog WILL adapt to the 'sleepy' side effect.  Dogs have a higher metabolism than humans, so allergy meds are one of the few things where the doses are far higher than they would be for humans.  Literally it has to be dosed by weight.
 
Allergy shots can be a good alternative for some -- but altho medical opinion differs on it, there can be downsides to those too.  Specifically only about 65% of animals ever respond to them and they have to go a long time with almost no treatment at all while the shots are being proven (and if your dog isn't responding to them this can be horrible). 
 
Given my whole history with allergy dogs (and also with dogs that ultimately wind up with other immune-related problems) it's not a choice I've made.  My dogs are using minimal Benedryl right now and I'm also having some really good luck with homeopathics - but that gets kind of work intensive because they have to be dosed frequently.
 
Another thot is a thyroid test -- particularly if the dog is over 2 years old.  But don't even bother with a regular lab test -- for the best results have your vet send it to either Dr. Jean Dodds directly or to Michigan State's labs - they use her protocols.  My Billy had THREE 'regular' thyroid tests that showed nothing ... we finally sent it to Michigan, got a good diagnosis and he began to respond.  Last year absolutely nothing was controlling the allergies and now he's doing far far far better.

suggestion- keep him off the grass for a day or so after it is freshly mowed. Seems to get worse for my boy if he is on the fresh cut 'tips'. Probably the oils? Who knows. Also stay in for a bit if the grass in teh neighborhood is getting mown, especially if it inhalation allergy. Sometimes you never now which,. or both are the culprit. 
I find that rinsing the feet once they come in - tea tree and water mixture, or just plain old water helps quite a bit. Good luck.

That's a good point about the freshly mowed grass, but our lawn's growing like crazy, so we have to mow it every 4-5 days.  The dogs run straight to it when you let them out and stand there and graze on it like cows.  My lab's paws have started to flare up really badly and all in the last week or two, so I've got the tea solution out and rinsing them off.  Unlike before though, it's worse on the tops of the paws, not the pads.  I also noticed her chin and edges of her lips are getting irritated and bumpy, and I'm betting that's from licking the allergens off the feet.  I used to love spring and summer, but not so much anymore []

ORIGINAL: calliecritturs

Is "hives" a word the vet used?  Usually hives don't occur in a few spots -- they rather happen as a 'rash' over an area and 'hives' specifically is a really severe allergic/anaphylacitc reaction that can worsen and involve the respiratory system.

However, dogs can develop "papules" (zits that are just bumps - no pus in them, just red/sore bumps) as a response to allergies.  (I'm just wanting to determine the severity here.)

But are the spots just on the belly -- like where there is no hair?  How about places like under the 'armpits' and groin?  But there aren't any on the back?  (weakness in two different areas -- both of which are responding to allergens - can cause it popping out in two areas). 

Do you see any small tiny blisterlike areas on the belly or underside??

Can you give me an idea of where you live??  I'm trying to get an idea of if this is just "atopic" (hayfever/grass type of allergy) or if there could be some contact allergy in it.

I've had a bunch of "allergy dogs" -- you may be able to lessen the severity of the reaction depending on what causes it.

 
Thanks!!
 
It's like a red bumpy rash all over his belly and groin.  It's kind of splotchy.   They're more blister-like than hives.  They're not small red bumps - they're large circular spots.  Mostly in areas where there's no hair but it does spread a bit up his belly but not on his chest.  However he's itchy all over and he's very sensitive about anyone touching his flanks.  It doesn't appear to be in his armpits right now and it's never been around the anal area.
 
The Hydroxyzine has finally started working and it's looking better right now but he's still a little itchy.  It usually seems to take 2 weeks to fully kick in.
 
I'm in Southern Ontario.
 
It starts about this time every year and ends about November. 
 

Thanks Dyan!  I talked to my vet today about allergy testing, but apparently I have to go to London.  I'm going to see about the Holistic vet in Windsor - I'm wondering if she does testing...

I have answers! Well, I have options really. Just got them today. We have the exact same problem with our dogs, AND I too live in southern ontario, so perhaps you can see the same vet I did today.
I have been searching for relief for my shepherd for 2 years. Of course, steroids relieve him, but the side effects of cancer, cushings disease & thinning tissues to applied areas (causing other blistering areas) are just not OK with me.
Today we saw a homeopathic vet under the referal of our reg. vet.
1. We changed foods to Skin Support SS 21, by Rotal Canin/Waltham. It is said to contain many of the supplements I have been researching for our dog for months now. Our dog is 3 BTW.
2. Nettle Leaf will be given at 3cc's orally (1/2 in am & 1.2 in pm). This relieves all stinging, burning, itch etc etc. It is a wonder herb I have read.
3. Si Wu Xiao Feng Yin is a chineese blend formulated for eczema relief. It is all natural herbs. We are taking 1 tsp / day mixed with food. This is difficult to explain so follow these instructions to read about it. I googled "Si.wu.xiao.feng.yin" and found 2 articles from a chinese web site, independant. Basically, it dries the skin cells inside, so they are less affected outside and less prone to attacks. (there is another formula that works the opposite way for the other type of eczema as well. Any herbalist or naturopath will know about this by name.
 
We are going to the extreme with our dog & replacing the back yard grass with pea gravel and stone. Just to further limit his contact. he will still be suseptible to pollens in the air, but he has mostly allergic contact eczema/dermatitus. No allergy tests here either, but itis so apparent. Are you near Guelph? I saw Dr. Rob Butler at the Guelph Animal Hospital today. 1.5 hours of consult, he knows my dog now as well as I do I think, but he is thorough. You can email me if you want to.
[email=sym100000@yahoo.ca]sym100000@yahoo.ca[/email]
I KNOW the agony of having to watch your pret suffer through this, so maybe we can converse about things that work/don't etc.
 
Wishing you the best of luck. It is trial and error with allergies, but we are trying, and theying not to harm him in the future with side effects as well.
 
Ttys perhaps.
 
Sym

red, bumpy rash USUALLY means "contact allergy".  If it's something 'outside' it can appear seasonal but often it's something inside.
 
A really 'easy' one is wandering jew.  It can be the yard kind (really popular anywhere southern - California to Florida) OR it can just be the houseplant.  All it takes is ONE leaf to fall, and you step on it, walk across your own carpet and the dog will get it just laying down in the living room. 
 
There are lots of plant contact allergens (St. Augustine sod w/doveflower or dayweed, poison oak, night-blooming jasmine, any of the MANY varieties of wandering jew) but there are others -- things like cleaning agents (have you switched lately?), or even various fibers they can be allergic to.

This sounds exactly what my dog has. We haven't had him tested, but everything seems very familiar. Have you got it under control? If so what dod you do?
 
Especially the last post, with regards to wandering jew, we have those in our yard. Going to have to take them right out.

Wandering jew comes in a bunch of varieites -- the little white/green varigated leaf (striped lengthwise) that is the indoor houseplant, the outside version that is all green -- usually a creeper along fences or inside of hedges, and then especially popular is the long long leafed "purple" one (that is really red/green varigated) that is often planted at the foot of trees, and on 'corners' where people walk off the corners of the lawn or near doorways -- all of those are nasty.
 
Night blooming jasmine -- little tiny wonderful-smelling flowers -- again it's a creeper that likes tree trunks etc -- that is just as bad.
 
Just cutting down this stuff will make YOUR skin sore.  But you will also have to shampoo your carpets with a degreaser -- because all you have to do is step on a leaf, walk in your house and boom -- you brought the oil in on your shoes and the dog will get it from lying on the carpet!!!  Nasty stuff.
 
Aloe -- if you can get a couple of aloe plants -- you can harvest the goo from inside the leaves and it is really good to help heal the skin.
 
You cut off a leaf and slice the very edge of the leaf off with a paring knife (there are little spines - you need to get beyond the base of those).  Then from bottom to top slice the leaf in half lengthwise.
 
Lay those slimey pieces down on plastic wrap.  Scrape with a spoon or table knife and the inside of the leaf will turn to goo.  Scrape all the way to the skin and toss the skin out.
 
Pick up the gooey plastic wrap and just squeeze the junk into a small container.  Smear that on the skin several times a day -- refrigerate the leftover.  GREAT stuff.
 
Bitter as heck -- trust me, most dogs will NOT lick that off!! 
 
But before you do anything -- give the dog a bath in something that will cut the oil of the plant.  OxyDex is great.  But even baby shampoo with just a bit of soda will 'degrease' (like 2 tablespoons of baby shampoo to 1/4 teas. of baking soda). 
 
FOLLOW THAT with a rinse with either lavender or tea tree oil in water.  About 2 gallons of water and 10-25 drops of the oil.  That will help heal the skin as well.  Lavender is a bit more mild. 
 
But then slather on the aloe -- it will help heal the pustules.  Until you can clean your carpets put down white sheeting on the floor where the dog lies.

I've actually been using Benadryl for the past couple of days because we ran out of the Hydroxyzine and he's completely clear.... but we've also been avoiding all treats and he's been having nothing but allergy forumula food ... I'm not sure which is doing more - but I'm sticking with the Benadryl and the diet for now...
 
I don't think I have any of the varieties of Wandering Jew.  I can't grow anything in the house and if it's not on the ASPCA "safe" list and a flowering shrub, it doesn't exist in my garden. []