Frustrated with allergy problems.
Submitted by Momdark on February 10, 2016 - 1:17pmHi,
My bulldog, Danger, is 8 years old and has suffered terribly with allergy problems for years. I have had him in to an opthomologist for his eyes, an allergy specialist, and countless visits to several different vets. We have tried Limited Ingredient Diets, allergy shots, multiple rounds of Temaril P, antibiotics, Apoquil, steroids, medicated baths, foot sprays, ointments, fish oil, vitamin E oil, coconut oil, antihistamines and foot wipes. I am currently spending over $200/mo in regular medications/allergy shots and sometimes another $100-$200 additional meds and he is still having issues. We have been doing this for over a year. I don't know what to do. It is difficult getting time to bathe him every day, so we do it two or three times a week. The vet recommended daily medicated baths. He is only on half a dose of the allergy serum because he had a terrible reaction to it and had to rush him to the vet and get a steroid shot to calm it down. He also has thyroid issues and is on meds for that. He gets interdigital cysts constantly (3 or 4 a week) that drain and bleed and sometimes get infected. I spray his feet and swab them and put antibiotic ointment on them. I can't get him to soak his feet. He won't hold still. I don't know what to do with him. I know he is uncomfortable, but I can't afford to keep this up monetarily or physically. Plus, I have some family issues that require me to travel some and every time I leave, he gets a worse flare up. I am worried about giving him so much medication. The steroids make him pee everywhere. I feel like he is an extreme case. Does anyone have any suggestions?
Momdark
I'm assuming you've had allergy testing done?
Did it show anything specific he was allergic to? And you've seen a dermatologist? And by limited ingredients you include grain free? Poor guy, he must feel awful. We had one that had allergies, worst was Tide detergent, bug spray and bermuda grass which is everywhere here in Phoenix.
Allergy testing
No, the allergist didn't think we should start there. They have a premixed shot that contains the most common allergens in our area. He said we should try that first before we went further. The shots cost about $100 per month and I give them myself. He is super allergic and had a very bad reaction so I am only giving him 50% of the dose now. I took him off Apoquil because it has the side effect of foot problems, which he had. His feet seem somewhat better, but he is starting to look pink around his face again. Ugh!
Momdark
That's surprising...
the first thing they did with Oscar was testing. At the time it cost around $200 and pointed out a lot of things he was allergic to that we would never have considered. Our regular vet did the test, it was a simple blood draw. Hope you can find him some relief.
I agree with Kathy...allergy testing is necessary.
I would find a vet who is willing to find out WHAT the allergies are BEFORE giving you any medications at all. A simple change in his environment could mean the difference between suffering and being well. Sad that your vet only offered the 100 a month shots rather than getting to the bottom of the actual allergy.
Go for a fully grain free diet. A high quality grain free feed would be Taste of the Wild or Earthborn Holistic. Both are inexpensive, both are very good. While Blue Buffalo has a lot of good stuff in their food, all of my dogs have a LOT of stools on that, as well as my bully being itchy even on the grain free varieties. Limited ingredients was worse for her.
If you are bathing your dog with any soap or oatmeal based shampoo, that alone may be causing more allergies. You really need the allergy testing done pronto! Find a vet who is willing to get to the bottom of things. Some vets don't know the first thing about allergies on animals, but will pass off the expensive allergy shots and call it good, while the animal still suffered greatly. I would be changing vets if it were me...no offense intended.
Amy and Sophia
We had a bully that was allergic to many things.
We ended up feeding raw (Natures Variety Lamb and Rabbit). She did good on both...helped with her skin issues. I hope you can figure it out.
You say this has been going on for a year...
What about before that time? What changes happened when he began the allergy issue? A different laundry soap, air freshener, fabric softener, cleaning product, fabric bedding.....the list goes on. If your dog was ok before last year, you need to look at your environment and really establish what has changed. Also, do you possibly have fleas or mites in your home or yard, or in the surrounding yards? Make certain it isn't a flea allergy dermatitis. My dog is extremely allergic to fleas, so much so that even one little bug on her makes her insanely itchy and miserable. A heavy infestation isn't required to drive an allergic dog crazy, just one flea can do that.
Limited ingredient foods aren't always grain free foods. Go with a completely grain free feed, or try a raw diet. It can take up to 3 months to really know how a grain free feed is working, so stick to it unless there is a violent reaction to the food. Don't switch feed often or it will make things even harder for your pup. Try adding a probiotic to his meal once daily, especially if you are using antibiotics frequently. It will help keep good bacteria in the gut, where using antibiotics kills off all beneficial bacteria as well as the bad stuff.
A non-grain herbal shampoo should be used when bathing him....oatmeal is a grain and can worsen the symptoms rather than alleviate them.
Good luck! The first thing I would do, no matter what, is allergy testing. Find a vet who will work to get to the root of the problem rather than just shoving medications at the symptoms.
Amy and Sophia