Allergies & hot spots -
Also we had an allergy panel done and I know she is allergic to a lot. I thought that hot spots can result from Allergies - so if she is allergic to alot how do you know what to eliminate? I don't know where to start and am really furstrated - I hope the vet can give us some advice. |
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| Having an allergic dog is very frustrating. What did the allergy panel indicate? The vet should be able to supply you with a list. You take that list and then try to lower Miley's exposure.
Just one example- If one of the triggers is dust mites, you lower the humidity in your home, vacuum often, wash bedding frequently in hot water, etc. Wood and tile are much easier to keep clean than carpet. An air purifier can also help along with frequently changing the air filters in your furnace/air conditioner. If it avoidance of the triggers is impossible, allergy shots may be considered if you've found the actual allergens causing the problem. |
| Well we just got back from the vet and are starting with an antibodic and delaying a steriod with a wait and see approach. Vet feels that not all are true hot spots but could develop into them - as they are not open and weepy just yet.
Miley's allergy panel showed 4 different grasses, 5 weeds, and 4 trees along with food allergies. We have switched the food to minimize exposure to that but I no idea how to handle the grasses, weeds and trees. Vet thinks that her condition is mild and may be a seasonal problem and a killing frost will minimze whatever conditions she has. In truth - I don't notice her licking the hot spots. She is not really bothered by the them - I know they are there and should not be. I am wondering if keeping her in a short (naked) shave will help minimize the pollens from the trees and grasses. Thanks for the advice |
Quote: But when I went to look for the tick it was just a red swelling small rash.
Was it like a hive? I expect the steroids would help to suppress her immune response to whatever is causing the allergic response... we only use them as a last resort. We had our Schip-mix on them for a couple of weeks recently before we tapered her off. She had an allergic reaction in mid-June to what they sprayed on the bushes and her ears got horribly inflamed... she again back to normal... maybe better than ever 
Short hair will allow you to give her soothing baths more frequently (faster washing/rinsing/drying time) which may help to relieve the itching. Darby's bad allergy season will start again in a couple of weeks ... this will be the 4th year but so far have found ways to avoid steroids. We have started putting boots on her as she goes outdoors to act as a barrier. http://oesusa.com/Page118.html Though it's never showed up in RAST testing... I have to wonder if it's all triggered by ragweed. You can keep track of pollen levels in your area by visiting http://Pollen.com ... ragweed isn't listed yet like it was last year. Your right about the first killing frost/snow... you'll get so you look forward to it! Have you done any trials on antihistamines to see which ones might help? If Miley starts to lick, you might consider putting a shirt on her. |
Monster Mom wrote: I am wondering if keeping her in a short (naked) shave will help minimize the pollens from the trees and grasses.
Thanks for the advice The short coat will help as far as bathing & drying go. But the pollens from the grass & trees are most likley an inhalant problem which means she's going to itch from the inside out so the hair isn't really making her itch or collecting the pollen. If the killing frost doesn't make a big difference you may want to talk to an allergy/dermatology specialist about desensitizing her to the allergens. Also, the steroids, if you use them in case she does start to chew the areas, will help to cut the itching/chewing cycle by making her not itch but it doesn't cure the porblem. It only breaks the cycle so she doesn't itch from the chewed areas as they heal. If it's pollens & inhalant, as soon as she is off the steroids she will start itching again.  |
| i think i am heading this way with duffy he is getting sores and bumps under his arm pits.. and butt.. need to take him to the vet .. he is on benedryl now but he is getting worse.. u had allergys with derby ,, oh how i hate this |
| I agree with Marilyn... steroids just mask symptoms. We had kind of figured out what had triggered by Schip-mixes problem and were fairly certain we could eliminate it. She was suffering and the steroids helped to relieve it. It was the first time we had used them on any of our dogs though I know they can be life-saving with some conditions.
Quote: he is on benedryl now but he is getting worse Quote: Antihistamines have been shown to be effective in controlling allergies in up to 30% of dogs.
It's not a very high number. And the thing with antihistamines is not all types will work on all dogs... you have to find the one that works best which means doing a trial. The next time you visit the vet, ask for a list of antihistamines and dosages that you can try. See if Clemastine Fumarate (plain Tavist but NOT Tavist D) and Zyrtek are on the list. Don't use the "D" formulas that have a decongestant. More Info- http://marvistavet.com/html/body_itch_relief.html Antihistamines are often given with fatty acids because they also have anti-inflammatory properties. We give 3VCaps and also 400IU of vitamin E daily along with allergy shots once a month. |
| We have another dog that is a rescue Border Collie/Retreiver mix that is really allergic to the grass. He would chew his feet raw in the spring. We had been using benadryl, but our vet said dogs don't get the same response as people. We tried Chlortrimeton (sp?) and it worked wonders! No more problems and the generic is about $6 for 100 tablets. Good Luck! I know how miserable watching them suffer is.
Brenda |
| Oh Poor Foz has a hot spot near his back arm pit He was licking it and it was oozing. He has had this once before and I don't want to schlep him back to the vet to get steroids which just cause him to have severe diarrhea.
What can I do to help alleviate the itching? We put Neosporin on it, but I'm wondering if we should put topical Cortaid on it. What are your thought? He already takes 6 Benadryl per day. |
Stacy wrote: Oh Poor Foz has a hot spot near his back arm pit
He was licking it and it was oozing. He has had this once before and I don't want to schlep him back to the vet to get steroids which just cause him to have severe diarrhea. What can I do to help alleviate the itching? We put Neosporin on it, but I'm wondering if we should put topical Cortaid on it. What are your thought? He already takes 6 Benadryl per day. He may need an oral antibiotic if it's oozing. Our vet usually doesn't give steroids unless absolutely necessary. She actually suggested Claritin as an alternative to Benedryl, too. |
| Yep, going to the vet tomorrow. I'll ask what other antihistamine they prefer. Thanks! |
| If food allergy involved I was told that a food as low in crude protein that you can find is the best way to go so I always fed my girl Science diet lite or senior as these contained only 4-5 % as the others contain 7-9 % and I must admit this helped ALOT |
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