Dog with skin allergy

[Dreamer_D]

My little Dreamer has a skin condition that I believe is a seasonal allergy to grass. It is a rash on her stomach and chest that starts a little red bumps/blotches and then after a couple days turns in to brown scabs and comes off. It is very itchy for her, and she also has itchy paws and feet. The vets can't identify exactly what it is, but they say the next treatment to try is steroids. I'd like to avoid that if possible because of the side effects, so I wondered if anyone had any suggestions?

So far we have switched her to an all-natural fish & veggetable food, we give her a fish oil supplement, and we wash her once a week with a medicated shampoo.

We are also thinking of digging out a small area of the garden and putting in gravel so she can go to the bathroom without having to go on the grass. I think she knows the grass is bad because she tends to avoid it and only goes on it when she has to

Your suggestions are appreciated!

 

[Dreamer_D]

Here she is! As you can see, she is very low to the ground so the grass comes up to her chest easily!

 

[tiffanytwisted]

So sorry for your pooch! I had a dog with skin allergies, and before they were actually identified as allergies he scratched to the point that he had a skin infection! I did some of the same things you are already doing: medicated shampoo (I think it has something in it that was anti-ich also), fish oil supplement, an anti allergen dog food (I don''t remember what kind, but the vet thought part of his problems were food allergies) and we actually gave him chlor-tab. I don''t remember the dose, the vet told me she could give his an allergy pill but it would be cheaper to buy the chlor-tab at wal-mart. I think the thing that helped the most was changing the food. He did end up on steroids for a short period of time.
Good luck!

 

[Dreamer_D]

Thanks Tiffany. I guess I am just trying to decide how bad it needs to be before we go with the steroids...

 

[MrsBold]

You may be able to giver her a small amount of Benedryl to help with her reaction. I would ask your vet about this and whether it is an option for you.

Steroids are the norm for short periods of time but using them too long can cause liver and kidney damage. The vet I work for normally prescribes temaril p, which you can get online or at a pharmacy for cheaper. Just ask for a written script.

I hope she feels better soon!

 

[MichelleCarmen]

My cat had similar problems. Little sores that would scab up and fall off.

Finally after trying numerous brands, I found Avoderm and her problem has entirely resolved.

Here's a website with that brand in dog food form:

http://www.breeders-choice.com/dog_products/avodermdog.htm

 

[LaraOnline]

Date: 7/12/2008 4:41:49 PM
Author: dreamer_dachsie
Thanks Tiffany. I guess I am just trying to decide how bad it needs to be before we go with the steroids...

Steroids can be a handy short term way of getting an allergic reaction under control. They quickly relieve your pet of the discomfort she is feeling, and can help prevent her from doing any more damage through scratching / biting at the area.

Perhaps you should go to an animal skin specialist, they may be able to find the specific causes of the allergy, and, depending on the allergy, even be able to give her a type of 'immunity' therapy...

Allergies can be quite tricky to treat. At the least, you should definitely seek out a vet with a specific interest in skin / allergies (perhaps go to a uni clinic?) if you want the problem to be properly addressed for the longer term...

IMO

 

[Dreamer_D]

Thanks for all the great suggestions! We will try the oral meds, MrsBold, we used them once before to no avail but there are others the vets recommend that we didn''t try yet. I think we will also get in touch with our local university veterinary school, Lara, that could help. MC, I''ll see if that food is available in Canada, it may be necessary to switch again.