Need some advice on dogs with allergies
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- iluvseashore
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Need some advice on dogs with allergies
As I posted earlier I have a Mini schnauzer. A 1 1/2 year old female. Her name is Raven. Anyway, she is gradually having symptoms of inhalent allergies and I am torn on what to do for her. Vet gave her a cortisone shot last month which only helped for a couple of weeks and really changed her behavior, very sleepy. So, I don't really feel comfortable going that route again. I have heard they aren't really safe in the long run either. I have her on Solid Gold food which is really good for her skin but it hasn't stopped the itching. She gets eye infections fairly easy too. As well as ear infections if I don't stay on top of them. Anyone have any experience or some advice?
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- iluvseashore
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If your dog has infections it is best to give them an antibiotic and prednasone. If the skin is red then she will need the antibiotic. The pred has to be given everyday for the itching. This will cause her to gain weight, so a diet will be necessary. Also, you will need to give her a medicated bath once a week. Must have the medicated shampoo. Your vet should have this or you can find a good medicated shampoo at PetSmart. The medicated bath feels really good to them. If you notice her starting to lick her fur alot and she has bald spots (plus a smell) then she is infected.
Everytime you give her the bath (after) take some cotton balls and hydrogen peroxide and clean her ears really good. Get as far down into the ear as you possibly can. As for the eyes, there are drops you can get at your vet for that. Give her drops after every bath. Unfortunately, she will probably be on the pred for the rest of her life due to the breed and the allergies. Hope this helps. I am going through the same thing with my Corgi.
Everytime you give her the bath (after) take some cotton balls and hydrogen peroxide and clean her ears really good. Get as far down into the ear as you possibly can. As for the eyes, there are drops you can get at your vet for that. Give her drops after every bath. Unfortunately, she will probably be on the pred for the rest of her life due to the breed and the allergies. Hope this helps. I am going through the same thing with my Corgi.
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wxcrazytwo wrote:No, but my best advise is get another dog. I had a dog a long time ago that had medical problems and they just balooned after that. She ended up having cancer and that was all she wrote.
This is not the answer. I also had a dog that had medical problems and was told she would not last 3 months. She was already old when she was rescued. Well, Roxie lived another 4 years.
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- GrimReaper
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Here's a different approach: Try getting some regular Ester-C, and crushing it in her food. Ester-C boosts the immune system tremendously, and helps to fight off all kinds of allergies. I have used it successfully on both my dogs and horses. It doesn't work for everyone....but it is worth a try, relatively cheap, and ALL natural. Also a fantastic product you can find in a feed store is Eqyss....there are several anti-itch remedies available. The products are marketed for animals now, but the original formula was designed by NASA scientists for skin irritation problems astronauts faced in space. Good Luck!!
-Grim
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- Islandgirl
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Islandgirl's daughter here;) She mentioned this post to me, b/c I have a dog with very severe, life threatening allergies. Yes, I keep injectable Benadryll in my house, and I know how to use it! Solid Gold is a really good food, however.... With many dogs who have allergies, the best thing is to eliminate grains. As far as kibble goes, that leaves you Natural Balance Sweet Potato and Fish, Natural Balance Potato and Duck, or Innova Evo. You can also do homecooked with no grains, or (the very best thing) feed RAW. My little girl (due to other serious medical problems) doesn't tolerate raw, so I've gone the Natural Balance and home cooked route. She's doing great now. I know that doesn't treat inhalent allergies, BUT reducing the other stuff the dog has to deal with HELPS. I also give Emma Benadryll twice a day. She's gotten used to this, and it doesn't make her sleepy. I lowered the dose to the lowest effective dosage (talk to your vet about this). What symptoms does your baby have? I know lots of good, natural stuff to help with all sorts of symptoms. "Get another dog" is definitely not the answer. Emma should have died at 9 weeks. She had parvo. She's almost 2, and still kickin' It's a struggle sometimes, but she's worth it. You can email me, if you want. Just send Islandgirl a PM and she'll give you my email address.
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- Islandgirl
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What other treatments do you recommend? "Honey" (Welsh Corgi) was going through this treatment when I gave her a home after her elderly owner passed away. I know after she gets the medicated bath she "skips" through the clinic. So, IMO she must enjoy the feeling she gets from the bath. As for the pred, this does not seem to bother her other than the fact she wants to eat more. She weighed 50 pounds but is now down to 40.
She does not have severe allergies like your Emma. She does have a skin problem that will get out of control without treatment.
She does not have severe allergies like your Emma. She does have a skin problem that will get out of control without treatment.
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- GrimReaper
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Linda Loo-Hoo....The eqyss can be used for cats and dogs too.... most of the bottles are labled that way. Like I said, those products were originally invented for humans... and at our house we don't use cortizone or benedryl for itchies.. we use Eqyss. I like it because it is VERY soothing!!! So sorry the Ester C didn't work for you....sometimes it does and sometimes it doesn't. I think it works when an animal or person suffers from their allergies because of a depressed immune system, but Ester C doesn't work if the allergies aren't related to the immune system. Hopefully amongst all us animal lovers we can help IslandGirl out!!!
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I used to have an Aussie with allergies; she pulled and tugged at her paws all the time. My vet gave her prednisone every couple of months and he also gave her some allergy pills. For the life of me I cant remember what they were but will see if I cant find out for you. Halie took them once daily for a couple of weeks then once in her system she only had to have them every 3 days.
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- Islandgirl
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I use chamomile tea baths for Emma when she's extra itchy. I just run the water as hot as possible, add 3-4 chamomile tea bags, and let it cool to a confy temp. I pour the tea over her for about 10 minutes, and lift her out of the tub. Leave the tea on the skin, for maximum relief.
You can also use a high quality quality herbal shampoo (like Cloud Star's Buddy wash) in a warm bath, rinse the dog throroughly, and then run a little water in the tub and add a few drops of lavendar essential oil. Pour this over the dog until the water runs cool. This moisturizes the skin and calms it a lot. It's very very helpful.
I also give Benadryll twice a day, It can be given up to four times a day, and is much much less harsh than steroids. Talk to your vet about dosage.
I do lots of supplements for immune boosting. One of the most helpful is colostrum. This can be acquired from a feed store, and you can feed 1-2 heaping teaspoons per day, depending on if the dog tolerates dairy. Some don't. It is a milk product. Another helpful thing is fish. The oils are very good for the skin, and the immune system. Canned Jack Mackrel and Sardines are favorites around here. I open the can, rinse them, and scoop them into bowls. Every dog that's been in my house (foster, house guest, or personal pet) has LOVED canned fish. They get it daily.
You can also use a high quality quality herbal shampoo (like Cloud Star's Buddy wash) in a warm bath, rinse the dog throroughly, and then run a little water in the tub and add a few drops of lavendar essential oil. Pour this over the dog until the water runs cool. This moisturizes the skin and calms it a lot. It's very very helpful.
I also give Benadryll twice a day, It can be given up to four times a day, and is much much less harsh than steroids. Talk to your vet about dosage.
I do lots of supplements for immune boosting. One of the most helpful is colostrum. This can be acquired from a feed store, and you can feed 1-2 heaping teaspoons per day, depending on if the dog tolerates dairy. Some don't. It is a milk product. Another helpful thing is fish. The oils are very good for the skin, and the immune system. Canned Jack Mackrel and Sardines are favorites around here. I open the can, rinse them, and scoop them into bowls. Every dog that's been in my house (foster, house guest, or personal pet) has LOVED canned fish. They get it daily.
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- iluvseashore
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Thanks for all the info. I think the immune boost would be a good idea. I'm wondering if she will need allergy testing before they would put her on the meds. I tried the Nature's Balance and she turned her nose up at the Duck formula. I don't think her allergies are very severe but I do think they will get worse with time. She is only 18 months old. It started last spring and was pretty minor just annoying tail licking and a couple of ear infections. This year the eyes started with yellow discharge and was given drops from vet,plus the tail licking and some sneezing and wheezing. Just in the last couple of weeks she has started to bite at one back leg and has a hotspot which looks ok right now is healing. As for shampoo, groomer told me to use an oatmeal baby shampoo and a spray on conditioner called Unicoat made by Gold Metal Pets.
Is giving her a bath twice a week too much. I was debating on that it seems midway through the week is her worst time. She usually only gets a bath once a week. As for her ears. I think I have them under control right now. Vet told me to use vinegar/alcohol drops once a week. She hasn't had an ear infection since I started doing that.
Thanks again,
I love all the responses!!!!!!!
Is giving her a bath twice a week too much. I was debating on that it seems midway through the week is her worst time. She usually only gets a bath once a week. As for her ears. I think I have them under control right now. Vet told me to use vinegar/alcohol drops once a week. She hasn't had an ear infection since I started doing that.
Thanks again,
I love all the responses!!!!!!!
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- Islandgirl
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The Natural Balance allergy formulas do come in canned, now.
I definetly think two baths a week is too much, unless you use an essential oil rinse, and you're treating a specific condition. Have you ever thought your girl might be allergic to oats? Mine is. I did an elimination diet with her. Washing her in an oatmeal bath would be the worst thing for her. She does much better with NO GRAINS at all. I've never done any allergy testing, aside from an old fashioned elimination diet. My vet doesn't think that the testing is accurate enough for the money, so I haven't done it.
I definetly think two baths a week is too much, unless you use an essential oil rinse, and you're treating a specific condition. Have you ever thought your girl might be allergic to oats? Mine is. I did an elimination diet with her. Washing her in an oatmeal bath would be the worst thing for her. She does much better with NO GRAINS at all. I've never done any allergy testing, aside from an old fashioned elimination diet. My vet doesn't think that the testing is accurate enough for the money, so I haven't done it.
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- Islandgirl
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Oh, yeah.... And dogs don't grow out of allergies like humans. They grow into them. Nice to think about, huh? Mine is only 21 months old and has already almost died from an allergic reaction. I'm praying that she gets better or that I can find SOMETHING to make her immune system work better. I'm having a full, 6 panel, thyroid test run on her next. Hypothyroidism can cause mood swings, hair loss, and a weakened immune system.
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- iluvseashore
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Wow, you've really got your hands full. I hope you find something to help her. It's really hard to watch them suffer huh?
Ya know, the oatmeal thing just might be an issue. I bought an oatmeal shampoo from the groomer's shop and it seemed to dry her out. I bet that was the oatmeal. That's when I switched to the baby shampoos thinking they would be a little milder. I won't be buying oatmeal again......thanks! I may try the Innova I heard that was really good.
I have heard the allergy testing is pretty expensive don't want to go there unless I have to.
Any suggestions on treats, should I just make them myself to be safe?
Ya know, the oatmeal thing just might be an issue. I bought an oatmeal shampoo from the groomer's shop and it seemed to dry her out. I bet that was the oatmeal. That's when I switched to the baby shampoos thinking they would be a little milder. I won't be buying oatmeal again......thanks! I may try the Innova I heard that was really good.
I have heard the allergy testing is pretty expensive don't want to go there unless I have to.
Any suggestions on treats, should I just make them myself to be safe?
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- Islandgirl
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http://www.weblogimages.com/v.p?uid=jen ... fvB18ikzS6
I make my treats. You can find lots of grain free recipes online, or just dehydrate a meat that your dog tolerates. Emma also loves cheese. I use crumbled feta for clicker training.[/img]
I make my treats. You can find lots of grain free recipes online, or just dehydrate a meat that your dog tolerates. Emma also loves cheese. I use crumbled feta for clicker training.[/img]
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- iluvseashore
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