Dog Community

The summer allergy dog. Brookcove? Callie? Anyone?

Posted : 7/10/2009 2:08:25 PM

So I got home just a bit ago with itchy boy. He has a raging ear infection in his left ear, a small cyst on his ribs and significant hair loss to underarms, belly and legs due to allergies.

I actually need to sit down and send my vet a thank you card, she was wonderful. We spent over an hour going over his current condition and future care.

We decided today that Kord will be a medicated dog for the rest of this summer. The infection in his ear is yeast based, no surprise. The cyst from scratching and an inflamed hair folical. The allergies are enviormental/flea/food.....

We know we can and have managed his allergies in the cooler/cold months. This year they started mid may and have proceeded to get worse, the 10 inches of rain in June did not help. Dr. Sarah said they have had a significant increase in allergies cases this ear due to the rain.

Outside of all that the boy is healthy, good weight, solid build, soso attitude.

She advised us not to curtail his water sports since we use it as a form of exercise, so we now have a regime to follow pool time. He will be on pred. for the next 30 days. And because of all of the other issues he is also on several other meds, an antibiotic, another anti yeast, ear drops, and an ear wash. I hate doing harsh medication long term but I see no other way around it for the rest of this year. We all know the itching leads to more serious issues later if not checked.

Here is where I need help, she suggested a higher grade of fish oil. Start small and work up to the max. She favors the pump kind. I neglected to get an amount to start/end with, I could call her but I really took alot of her time today and would feel guilty for bothering her again. And as much as the boy is going to hate it, I am going to do a switch back to PPP Salmon for the spring/summer and TOTW for fall/winter. Flea's believe it or not, really are not an issue right now. So can anyone give me a starting number? or an amount to work towards?

As for his attitude, well it was narly a bit, he was not feeling his best and I know his ear hurt, and he was wound up tighter than a rubber band. BUT.....he sat for the scale, obeyed every command at first call. And took his shots like a pro.

Here is a funny for today. Dr. Sarah is currently pregnant, 7 months and huge. She suggested that they remove my mouthy beast to another room to do the exam, shots and treatment on the ear. I said....ummmm....not by yourself please! She got this huge tech to help her, well Kord got mouthy with him and he backed up, she told him to get a grip he was muzzled, had a short and long leash and was all grumbles and no bite. Well the guy took the leashes and started to take him out, and let me tell you if the boy had had thumbs he would have been gripping the door frame, screamming NOOOOO, this guy had to drag him out. They got him 2 doors over and he turned to mush. Gave Dr. Sarah kisses and licks, let her touch him all over, clean his ear, give him the big stick of meds and everything. And he listened to every command she gave him. We have been working on "eyes" to clean them, "ears" to examine and clean and the biggy "settle". He did each and everyone for her no questions asked. And he did not jump on her or bump her. I was impressed! Of course as soon as he got back to me he was a shuddering mess. Big stuff going into another room you know.

He can do all that, yet gets mouthy when first meeting people....geesh.

Thanks in advance.

calliecritturs

Posted : 7/10/2009 2:30:44 PM

Ask Dr. Sarah if she can get Zymox for his ears -- man, it can help maintain allergy ears in a BIG way and it's enzymatic and not a problem long term. And even the one with just a teeny bit of steroid in it isn't hurful.

Now, honestly, with Billy and every other mega allergy dog I have always liked the Blue Power Ear wash **the best** for allergy prone ears, particularly for a dog who likes the water. I've posted the recipe (and I"m at work) so if you need it email me. But using the Blue Power after swimming will dry the ears well, and Zymox drops at bedtime and you should be good to go.

I don't use Omega 3 'drops' -- I put a sardine a day in their food. It's readily absorbable and they love it and I never have to worry about rancid oil or pills. I just use the cheap sardines (not the little slender ones -- theyr'e kinda fat but cheap -- like 4 cans for $5.)

The other thing I'd suggest, and there are way more in your area than you might think, would be to ADD a TCVM vet and do acupuncture. I'm not suggesting you leave your vet -- not at all. But Acupuncture can really help balance out the immune system.

It does NOT hurt. In fact, of the 7 dogs I've had who have had acupuncture, 3 of them flat fell asleep during treatment and NONE of them have been ratty at all about it. The first needle typically is a spot in the top of the head which is a major "chill out" point. But there are Chinese herbs that truly rock for helping the allergy dog's skin.

Billy doesn't even have to take Benedryl any more -- once in a while we get some breakouts but nothing huge. (and remember, this was the dog whose ears were SO bad when we adopted him 5 years ago that his ears were SWELLED SHUT and we thot he was deaf and it was ALL allergy junk-- he's the **worst** allergy dog I've ever had)

jessies_mom

Posted : 7/10/2009 7:41:57 PM

Truley
Here is where I need help, she suggested a higher grade of fish oil. Start small and work up to the max.

This is a great product; http://www.seapet.com/index.php?cPath=61_65 ;

" All Sea Pet omega-3 fish oils are completely tested for heavy metals, PCBs, furans, dioxin and other toxins. Sea Pet oils surpass all national and international standards for purity. " Jessie is 60 pounds and got one teaspoon daily before she had pancreatitis; now she doesn't get any extra fat.

A few years ago Jessie was having problems similar to Kord and my vet had me use a shampoo called Epi-Soothe;

http://www.virbacvet.com/virbac_dermatology/product epi_soothe_shampoo/

and a conditioner called Resi- Cort;

http://www.virbacvet.com/virbac_dermatology/product/resicort_leave_on_lotion/.

He told me to bathe her twice the first week and once a week after that, and it really helped. Another great shampoo for allergy dogs is called Nu-Sal-T; http://www.allivet.com/NUSAL-T-SHAMPOO-p/25886.htm. If you're willing to give him baths it may reduce the need for the pred, especially with the fish oil and Benedryl. Jessie is a mega allergy dog and I really know what you're going through; I'll keep you in my thoughts.

Truley

Posted : 7/10/2009 7:46:09 PM

Thanks for the replies. I will check out those products. When I buy the oil I also need to go get some milk thistle since keto is one of the drugs he is now on.

I do love my vet!

kpwlee

Posted : 7/12/2009 7:57:20 AM

Zymox is great for the ears - don't think it is a prescription though I'm pretty sure I got it off Amazon. I bought the rinse and the drops - drops are better for us.

When Bugsy's allergies flare I use Malaseb shampoo and it really seems to help

He is just hitting his worst time and he semi-lives on benadryl. Since getting his thyroid meds he needs much less benadryl but the next few months he'll be on it non-stop

Bugsy gets oodles of fish oil - make sure that you add Vitamin E to balance the fish oil. Bugsy gets 4 x 1000mg fish oil capsules and 400iu Vit E daily. And he is on Orjen fish food so he is much like a feesh LOL

Poor Kord I hope that he gets relief quickly

Truley

Posted : 7/12/2009 1:26:49 PM

Thanks Karen. I will look into that as well. He has been much better since he got the shot friday, itchy but not so intense or as much.

Dr. Sarah gave me a medicated ear wash, will look up the name and let you know what it is.

calliecritturs

Posted : 7/12/2009 5:14:16 PM

When I say Zymox I mean **specifically** the DROPS -- and you want the one with the blue label (it has a bit of steroid in it). I honestly don't particularly care for the ear cleaner (I really prefer the blue power ear solution).