Domestic Dreamer Posted September 3, 2008 Share Posted September 3, 2008 (edited) Sasha has been chewing her paws heaps lately so brought her to the vet today who said she had allergies. She's always been a pretty itchy dog and I've tried a few things over time but right now she's on BARF patties (beef), chicken necks, veggies and sometimes sardines. No preservatives, no grains, no yeast. Treats are dried liver. I use a natural dog soap which doesn't strip her natural oils and keeps her coat looking good but the white section is still dryer than the black. Skin and eyes are slightly on the dry side (she had a tear test done years ago and it was borderline dry). Since these changes she scratches less, but obviously there are still issues. She's mainly itchy on her belly (which has discoloured, it kinda looks like dirt rubbed in) and legs. No fleas or bites, and her last vaccination was about 3 years ago. Face and ears are fine. The vet has her on prednisolone tablets since her paws were quite inflammed and irritated, as well as a steroid spray to use on her paws, and suggested I switch to roo meat for 6 weeks instead of beef/chicken to see if it's a food allergy before looking at other possible causes. Someone in the CKCS thread suggested grass as a possibility. Her latest flare with the feet started on Sunday after some heavy weekend rains, and I've been letting her out early when there's still morning dew. Could it be? It's certainly a constant that she's always had contact with, but if so, how do I solve it? Make her wear socks? Her anal glands were also quite full and the vet emptied them but I wonder why she's having the anal gland issue in the first place. Her stools are firmer than they ever were when she was eating dry food, wouldn't that help? Any thoughts/ideas on what I should do?? For those who have dogs with allergies, did your dogs have similar symptoms and what ended up being the cause for you? Edited September 12, 2008 by Maiko Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cavandra Posted September 3, 2008 Share Posted September 3, 2008 I have a couple here that sometimes get dermatitis on a foot after rain from the grass..........Neither are itchy dogs though........I must say that cortisone would be my very last choice to treat my dogs & I would do a liver detox afterwards if possible. Daily fish oil capsules, garlic, zinc, Vit C, with organic apple cider vinegar in all water dishes...... How long has she been on BARF? It can take 3-7 months to detox a dog from grains/chemicals......Most often itching will increase initially as the body gets rid of the toxins. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Domestic Dreamer Posted September 4, 2008 Author Share Posted September 4, 2008 How long has she been on BARF? It can take 3-7 months to detox a dog from grains/chemicals......Most often itching will increase initially as the body gets rid of the toxins. About 3 months now, not too long. How much fish oil/vit C and zinc would you give an adult Cav? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Domestic Dreamer Posted September 4, 2008 Author Share Posted September 4, 2008 (edited) I've just called to make an appointment with Clare Middle... Edited September 4, 2008 by Maiko Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peigirl Posted September 4, 2008 Share Posted September 4, 2008 Awesome, you're in Perth and Clare is great. I've seen her with my boy who has bad atopic allergies. Maiko at the moment you don't know if you're working with a food intolerance or a contact/atopic allergy. Wait until after you've seen Clare to buy anything as she will suggest a full diet/supplement/allergy plan of attack. Please let us know how you go with your appointment. We (ok me ) would be very interested to hear what she suggests. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Domestic Dreamer Posted September 4, 2008 Author Share Posted September 4, 2008 Will do. I loathe the idea of using steroids on my girl, I wish I'd thought of seeing Clare sooner and not bought the meds at the vet yesterday. I left there feeling so depressed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
puggy_puggy Posted September 4, 2008 Share Posted September 4, 2008 As said before it can take a while for the body to detox so give the BARF some time. Get her off the prednisalone and try some normal human antihistamine tablets. I use Claratyne if my boy has a flare up. The dirty rash you describe sounds like a yeast infection rash. My boy used to get it all the time in his groin area before I switched to BARF feeding. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SparkyTansy Posted September 4, 2008 Share Posted September 4, 2008 It's interesting regarding the anal gland issue... My boy also had this issue and I am not sure whether it was related to his food allergy or something else... Derm vets are worth their weight in gold... good luck at your appointment and let us know how you go. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Domestic Dreamer Posted September 4, 2008 Author Share Posted September 4, 2008 (edited) As said before it can take a while for the body to detox so give the BARF some time.Get her off the prednisalone and try some normal human antihistamine tablets. I use Claratyne if my boy has a flare up. The dirty rash you describe sounds like a yeast infection rash. My boy used to get it all the time in his groin area before I switched to BARF feeding. How do you work out dosage of human meds when giving them to a dog? My appointment is this Saturday. Edited September 4, 2008 by Maiko Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SparkyTansy Posted September 4, 2008 Share Posted September 4, 2008 I use polaramine - works great and just one tab for him (28kg dog) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peigirl Posted September 4, 2008 Share Posted September 4, 2008 All dogs and antihistamines react differently. Polaramine (pink and red) does absolutely nothing for my boy so he gets two Claratyne everyday. He's about 23kg. Unless you've been advised otherwise Maiko normal procedure is to take your dog off all inhibitors like antihistamines before you see a specialist - that way they are seeing a true representation of the problem. You only have to wait til Saturday so I wouldn't suggest you give any antihistamines before you visit. No baths either. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Domestic Dreamer Posted September 4, 2008 Author Share Posted September 4, 2008 Thanks peigirl, I was wondering about that. I've only given her one prednisolone tablet (yesterday) so was wondering whether to continue seeing as it should make the inflammation lessen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peigirl Posted September 4, 2008 Share Posted September 4, 2008 No don't keep on with the prednisolone Maiko, Clare needs to see your girl's full condition. Think long term, you'll have a workable solution for her soon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sas Posted September 5, 2008 Share Posted September 5, 2008 Cortisone isn't terrible, pls don't frighten the original poster. It all depends on the dose and the length taken. Most dogs with allergy conditions get given a very low dose that acts as an anti-inflam and that's about it. Cortisone is used in big doses for serious illnesses and those are the doses that come with a downside. If it's just being taken to get on top of an issue is not a biggie. If you're going to be doing skin testing I believe you need to be off Cortisone for a month? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stormie Posted September 5, 2008 Share Posted September 5, 2008 Agree with sas. Unless you have an allergic dog, don't try to tell someone to get off the cortisone. Obviously they would be better without it, but I'd much prefer to give my boy a low dose rather than see him eating himself raw. Side effects from low dose cortisone (0.5mg/kg every second day) aren't actually very common. Using antihistamines and omega oils in conjunction with cortisone can help to bring the dose of cortisone required down. We have tried omega oils, all different shampoos, lotions etc, vit c, msn, a multitude of herbal, holistic and homeopathic drugs etc etc. Antihistamines only work to keep the cortisone levels down. Under dermatologists advice, we have ruled out fleas, scabies and food allergies. We are on a raw, grain free, preservative free diet. I wash him every second day or after a roll in the grass. Dogs can absorb pollens through their skin, so a rinse off after any contact with the outside world can help. Dogs can also have allergies to dust mites, so again, regular rinsing can help reduce the absorption. Finally now, we are working towards being cortisone free in order to have tests done to find out exactly what he's allergic to. These tests DO NOT diagnose atopy - you need to do that by ruling out everything else. We need to be free of cortisone for 2 weeks (as he has previously been on 0.25mg/kg every other day or less, any higher than this and you need to be off it for 4 weeks). Sounds easy, but anyone with an atopic dog will sympathise with just how difficult it is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Domestic Dreamer Posted September 5, 2008 Author Share Posted September 5, 2008 Thanks all. The tablets are 5mg once a day (0.6mg/kg), then every second day for 4 days, plus the spray. I'm holding off on treatment until I see Clare tomorrow morning so she can see what's what and depending on what Clare says might put her back on the tabs afterwards so she gets some relief while we work out a long term solution. I'm really looking forward to the appointment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Domestic Dreamer Posted September 6, 2008 Author Share Posted September 6, 2008 (edited) Update: It's a secondary bacterial infection, not allergies!!!!!!! Malaseb shampoo and herbs to boost her immune system should clear it up. She's allergic to beef protein so am switching her off those, but the main cause of the itching is the infection. I'm overjoyed that Clare gave me cause and solution, the money wasted on the first vet trip and useless drugs is pretty depressing though. Shall just have to chalk it up to experience. Edited September 6, 2008 by Maiko Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cavandra Posted September 6, 2008 Share Posted September 6, 2008 Thats good maiko.........Most GP Vets dont look at the dog Holistically .....It is much better to find the cause rather than only treat the symptoms IMO..........well done! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peigirl Posted September 6, 2008 Share Posted September 6, 2008 That's fantastic news Maiko! You are super lucky its not allergies, diets can always be changed. Hope you're girl is feeling better very soon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted September 6, 2008 Share Posted September 6, 2008 I agree- MUCH better something which can be treated/avoided I had an allergic dog for years & years ..no fun for anyone Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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