calliecritturs
Posted : 9/18/2008 7:17:30 PM
There are a lot of different avenues. Bathing helps -- because some allergens actually come thru the pores and thru the feet. The shampoo doesn't really matter -- it's getting the allergens off that helps. Be cautious of conditioners -- they sometimes just hold things on the coat.
I like a really mild soap like Dr. Bronner's (lavender one is my favorite) from a health store and I dilute it WAY down. Then I tend to just shake on a few drops of lavender or tea tree essential oils (and that's how I do my *own* hair -- I never use conditioner because of skin problems and I have long hair). No tangling either.
If you give Benedryl or any antihistamine you have to give it for the full duration of the season -- not just for a few days. Because of the Jacobsen's organ dogs don't just immediately sniff something and get allergies. Some of them go zooming in, but some allergens linger in the Jacobsen's Organ and pop out days later -- so giving an antihistamine on an ongoing basis can help. It won't *cure* -- it HELPS and there's a difference!
Also -- realize that it may not just be outdoor allergens -- the fall brings change INSIDE too. The air is dryer -- if you have a basement there may be mold down there that dries out and spores are in the air. Dust mites. Wallpaper? That too is a source of allergens in the winter.
I've had really good luck also with using homeopathics. Homepathy is a whole separate alternative type of medicine. I've posted about it before but it really takes someone getting interested in it and trying it fairly.
It's not "convenient" .. it's not a pill a day. It's more like 3-4 times a day. And frankly, you should find a good homeopathic vet and take your dog there. Because a good homeopath can actually help your dog's allergies diminish. I've had awesome results with Billy, who used to be THE WORST allergy dog ever. He was sore, naked and had bumps all over most of the year. No more!
Depending on where you live it may be tough to find a good homeopath, but there ARE vets who consult by phone. I can give you the number for a good one if you are interested.
The most common remedies that are homeopathic for allergies are apis and histaminum,. But as I said, you have to have some instruction on how to use them because they aren't like "medications" (they are absorbed in the mouth, first of all) and don't have side effects. If you are interested you may want to check out http://www.hylands.com, or http://www.boiron.com or http://www.abchomeopathy.com ...