calliecritturs
Posted : 7/12/2006 5:27:32 PM
Hi -- this place oughta be called Allergy Dog Lovers Anonymous (or not so anonymous *grin*).
Just a couple of things -- if you are using a national "chain" groomer (and vet) please don't expect them to truly care and make you aware of things. You only get that kind of help and care from the truly great groomers (and vets) who are in independant practices -- these folks in the big chains are bound by rules, and its a "crank them thru" mentality. You aren't getting the best groomer, nor are you getting the best in vet care. They WILL push things the store (and clinic) sell in a big way --and what you'll hear on HERE is "don't over vaccinate" and "make sure you have a vet you can TALK to" and "be careful what products you use" and "be careful what you feed your dog".
A good vet is the best thing you can do for yourself and your dog. Frankly I live in a major metropolitan area and I drive by probably 35 vet clinics to go nearly 45 minutes away (to a boonie far suburb) to a vet I LIKE. *some* (as in A FEW) of the ones I drive by are 'acceptable' -- it's not that they are terrible. But I go to a GREAT vet. (I've probably paid for the new driveway into his clinic and the new truck he parks back there but that's immaterial). He just plain GOOD.
I go to an awesome groomer -- it's a place that's been bought and sold like 3 times in the past 5 years -- but I go to ONE particular gal who is stellar -- she works with all my dog's problems (from majorly sore allergy skin, ear infections and now a dog with IMHA who can't be 'exposed' to ANYTHING contagious). I tip her well -- she's worth it. But honestly -- the basic cut and groom is not even AS expensive as the PS groomer up the street. But I wouldn't switch from Marilyn for love nor money -- she's TOO good. If she notices a bad ear, I hear about it. If she notices he's not feeling well, I hear about it. But mostly he comes home to me loving her and having had a good time -- he's not a nervous wreck, and I know she was good to him and not impatient.
The groomer-- particularly on your first visit -- should have told you if they saw something amis. But folks at a chain groomer have to do a groom in so many minutes. And the dog who's a problem has to take the same amount of time a 'good' dog does so they'll make up time on one to make the schedule work.
Allergies - man we can talk about them all day long. Licking becomes an instant habit. Paw licking is typically atopic (inhaled hay-fever) type allergies -- it can also be food allergy (but usually the atopy is primary). Try first keeping a jar of sun tea (just plain old black normal 'tea') by the door -- when the dog comes in from outside, draw off a little bowl full and swish the dog's feet in it. Dry on a turkish towel (don't add paper dust with paper towel) Do that for a week and see if it helps. Do it at least twice a day, once bare minimum.
When you see the dog lick, get up and go TO the dog. Say "Baby, no licking -- let me help" and take the paw in your hand and massage it. You can massage away that tingle very often -- if it's allergies it's histamines that have settled near the surface of the foot and they make it tingle (like if you've set on your foot for a while) -- it's uncomfortable and they try to lick it away. Eventually get the dog to come TO you -- always make them 'stop' the licking when you see it -- but always massage the foot and see if you can get them to leave it alone. Good time to distract with a toy if possible In essence you are tyring to break the 'habit' at the same time you help soothe it.
Benedryl is a great suggestion -- there are lots of antihistamines that work. But give it a fair trial. Don't just give one pill, have it make the dog sleepy and say "well that didn't help". YOu MUST try it for at least a month -- given the right number of times a day (and that's different depending on the drug and how long it lasts in the body -- Tavist/clemastine is twice a day I think -- Benedryl is 2-3 times, and even 4 because diphenhydramine stays in the body 6 hours). But it takes a good big week for what the dog inhaled today to make it all the way thru the Jacobsen's organ (between the mouth and the nose and it's why a dog has such a super sense of smell) thru the body to the skin to irritate it. But what lights on the skin can affect the dog today or sooner. So doing it for a month and giving the body time to 'defend' itself against allergies is important to see IF it works. Don't just give the med for a day or two -- that's a waste. The dog likely will get sleepy but that is a side effect that fades with time -- they just learn to deal with it.
Allergies have a lot to do with the immune system -- so giving your dog the best immune system possible is paramount -- so investigate foods -- you don't have to spend a boodle -- but a better food is likely not going to be a lot more expensive (because you'll likely feed less). But avoid foods with BHA, BHT and ethoxyquin as preservatives (and some of the better known brands are the worst transgressors there). There's a whole nutrition section here. Some swear by good kibble. Some feed 'raw' and some, like me, home cook.
Welcome and have fun. I hope this isn't totally overwhelming and it's all intended as encouragement. Some of us have email embedded -- use it if you have other questions you'd rather not say in 'public'. But this is a patient bunch by and large. We TRY to remember everyone may be tired, or less 'saavy' about things. Take care -- glad to meetcha. Callie