stormie

the fact that its seasonal would suggest its more to do with pollens rather than the actual grass on her skin making her itch. It's similar to humans getting hayfever, except that dogs tend to show the signs through itchy skin rather than sneezing etc. The areas you describe as being affected are very typical of allergies, and its not just because they are the areas in contact with grasses - food allergies cause itching in exactly the same areas. It is now thought that dogs can absorb some of the pollens through their skin, so regular baths/wipe downs after being outside etc, might help with symptoms. Royal Canin also has a food out called Skin Support or something, which has been designed for atopic dogs. Not sure how good it is, but its got aloe vera in it, plus lots of essential fatty acids to help with the itching and skin healing. It is also thought that giving fatty acids with antihistamines can improve the effectiveness of the antihistamines. I also find that giving antihistamines with cortisone greatly reduces the amount of cortisone I have to give.

true contact allergies are actually quite rare. I'm talking a reaction which involved the body producing histamines etc. Most contact problems are actually contact irritations. If its a contact irritant, antihistamines are unlikely to work and you need to avoid the irritant. for example, wandering jew makes dogs itchy, but its not because they are allergic to it, its just the reaction the plant gives to the skin, kind of like stinging nettle on people. If the problem is seasonal, (spring/summer) then it is most likely going to inhalent allergies from pollens in the air, in which case you may have success with antihistamines. Could also be food allergies. Is the problem all year round?

interesting. I was just reading up on food allergies on the Advance site, and it said that when some people put their dogs on the homemade diet of a novel protein/carb source, when they challenged the dog with the previous diet, the itching never returned! I wonder if thats what happened to you!! My puppy has a terrible itching problem. Has itched since the day he came home at 10wks old. Not entirely sure what he's allergic to, but just recently it seems to be pointing at food allergies. I also think he may be allergic to fleas... and well, just life in general!

can't wait to hear how people go with the shampoo. We put our order in, just waiting to hear back. we need to start our own sub forum "itchy dogs"

Try dealing with dane sized anal glands that need expressing!!!

We found one on our cat and we are in west pennant hills.. I was talking to a lady in dural the other day and both her dogs had been in hospital from them also...

Iramine is an antihistamine (chlorpheniramine) ... basically the same as Polaramine and most likely the same drug that was given in the antihistamine injection

I'm in the same boat as you. My pup came home to me at 10wks and has been itchy since. Most likely allergies to pollens, dust mites etc. Apparently its becoming more common to see food allergies in younger dogs these days, and we were told by the specialist 10wks is not too young. we went on a food trial using Eukanuba FP as its the only one that still has adequate protein and carb levels for a growing dane puppy, and he had previously not had fish or potatoes before. we are currently controlling the itch was a combination drug of cortisone and antihistamine, called antihistalone. Using antihistamines with cortisone means you can generally give a lower dose of cortisone and still have the desired effects. We manage on quite a low dose every other day, or so. Allergic dogs are usually often allergic to fleas aswell. One bite from a flea makes my pup really itchy, so thats another thing you can work at keeping on top of. Malaseb won't stop the itching, but it will help to keep secondary bacterial infections at bay, which are caused by the constant itching breaking the skins natural barriers. We have a malaseb bath every week. Another thing to think about is checking your garden for plants like wandering jew that my be causing the problem. Also, do you use any carpet/floor cleaning products at home which may be irritating the skin? Now that we have ruled out external parasites, fungal infections and food allergy, we can look into skin testing with the specialist. I doubt we will go through with the injections afterwards, but I would like to know what he reacts to so I can do my best at avoiding it.

When did you move? Is it possible its just in time with the spring/summer season? Flea allergies are the most common allergies, followed by Atopy, which is inhalent allergies. Things in the garden are usually irritants, rather than actual allergies involving the immune system. Wandering Jew is the main culprit in the garden. With regards to fleas, I was convinced my pup didn't have fleas. He was being treated every 2 weeks with revolution to rule out Scabies, but one night I watched him for an hour and I suddenly saw a flea crawling on him. With flea allergies, it just takes one bite for a dog to be insanely itchy. And revolution and other products don't stop the fleas from landing on the dog. They can still get a bite in before they die from the revolution. Malaseb will help with any secondary skin infections as a result of the itching. My advice would be to go see a vet, they can give you some short term medication to reduce the inflammation in the skin and hopefully break the itch/scratch cycle.

I get exactly the same thing from Orbit. Believe it or not, the tips of his hair actually pierce my skin (I have pulled them out!) and I feel it stinging then come up with a little hive. It itches insanely for a while, but within an hour they are gone. I also get hayfever from dogs and cats. The hayfever I treat with antihistamines, but the hives I just wash with soapy water and they go away. It's only the short coats that do this, and i'm convinced its because their hair shaft is stronger and comes to a point at the tip which can manage to pierce the skin. Oh and itching makes them worse!!

my pup has what we think are allergies and he scratches his elbows all the time....

I'd be going for blood tests to rule out any immune mediated diseases

I found something the other day that I think I might try after finding a couple of fleas on Orb... It comes in spray or 'bomb' style mist... called Protect-a-Home and claims to control the life cycle for up to 12months in the house... anyone used it???

Have you tried using a Demodex Rinse? Have seen great results with that... You can wash in Pyohex first, and then use the demodex rinse after.

Perhaps speak to your vet about getting some valium to have on hand in case the natural therapies don't work, particularly as you say the phobia is severe? Valium is quite safe to use and works really well with anxiety

I'd probably think about a second opinion if I were you. What breed are we talking about?

If you go see a Dermatologist, they usually run through a few different things first before going into the skin testing. Ours said that we would need to treat for scabies first, every 2 weeks for 6 weeks with Revolution. Milbemicin (Interceptor) has also shown to treat scabies but at a higher dose than on the pack. Fleas and other insects also need to be dealt with. Next you need to treat for possible fungal infections, which can either be done with very regular malaseb washes, or by prescription drugs. Finally failing all that, you need to rule out food allergies by going on a totally new protein and carb source for 12 weeks. Failing all that, skin testing can then be done. Not sure all dermatologists work the same, but its somewhere to start.

I'm pretty sure that you shouldn't use probiotics while you are on a course of antibiotics, but rather, wait till the course has finished and then start the probiotics.

Could also be sarcoptic mange - affects the elbows, backs of legs, hocks etc. Causes intense itching. Revolution treats mange. Check your garden for wandering jew also. Its renown for causing contact dermatitis in dogs

JoyPod - Congrats on the new puppy!! Crate training is a great idea for a puppy. It gives them a safe place to go and sleep, much like a cosy den in the wild. It is by no means cruel! It's also very handy having a dog that's used to sleeping in a crate for times when the dog may have to board, or stay overnight in hospital at the vets. I'm sorry, but what a load of crap. There is no reason at all the the dog will be scared at first. Most dogs take to their crates within a day or two. I'd like to know what you're basing this on and what your experience is with dogs in crates? I got Orbit, my dane puppy, when he was 10wks old and had a crate big enough for him for almost adult size. I had never crate trained a dog before, so this was my first experience. I had a bed big enough for the whole crate, minus room for food and water bowls. I did originally set my alarm for about 1am and 5am, but found that every time, he woke me before then when he needed to go. Even though his crate was so big, he never once, and still hasn't, toileted in his crate. This might sound strange, but I think you just have a fair idea of what the crying is about. I take orbit to the toilet just before bed, so any crying after that, I know is attention. During the night if he needs to go, its a different cry. (mind you, Orbit generally uses some kind of telepathic stare which always seems to wake me up!) It really is a 'don't wanna wake you, but please, i really need to pee' kinda cry!! Goodluck, and try not to stress about it. Keep it all relaxed and pretend like crating is all the norm the first time you introduce puppy to the crate. You'll be fine!!!

Doesn't look like flea dirt to me either. I have an allergic puppy and he gets that too. Often starts with a pustule. Constant licking and chewing at an area will cause it too, from the saliva. Regular baths with malaseb will help with any secondary bacterial infections.

My boss's schnauzer had a similar thing recently. It was slightly painful at the base too, as well as just being flat and down. Couple of days later and it was back to normal. She went swimming and had a bath the day before too. I informed him of 'cold tail'

My pup uses mental telepathy with me. I wake up randomly in the night to see him sitting up in his crate, staring quite intently at me. He's really quiet - its actually quite freaky! It's like he is sitting there willing me as hard as he can to wake up. Don't know how he does it, but it works!

My pup has terrible nightmares!! He's often quite vocal in his sleep, but has occasionally woken up screaming, or been screaming in his sleep!! I've started giving him Rescue Remedy before bed time and they have totally settled down!!!

This is similar to what my Italian Greyhound's canine looked like. It wasnt until he was about 6 months or so that it finally fell out. I would say that it might be a good idea to base it on the breed cause if it was my case it would have then been a waste of money for me.(not that I would get my boy desexed as he is my show boy) I would probably advise owners first to offer a couple of good bones over 1-2 weeks and see if it comes out on its own and then if it doesnt then look into it further etc etc. Just my opinions but I think it is important not to jump the gun and put our beloved dogs through undue pain. I agree with you, but its mainly just about convenience and being cost effective for owners. It doesn't do any harm to remove the teeth, and usually only costs about $30 on top of desexing. If the teeth don't end up coming out on their own, then the animal will need another anaesthetic, which can be stressful for the pup, and expensive for owners.