LabRat32 Posted January 12, 2011 Share Posted January 12, 2011 Hi My 3 year old Kelpie X has a known contact allergy to grass. I have been able to keep her itchyness under control without medication and she really doesn't need it. However, I do obedience with her and she has been scratching when we go in the ring. I was wondering if it is possible to get the vet to prescibe cortoisone or atopica and give it only couple of days before the competition date. She has lost points for scratching in the ring. Is there any side effect or downside for giving dog medication only on special occasions. Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BMAK Posted January 12, 2011 Share Posted January 12, 2011 i would see a vet, and get something prescribe just for that occasion if its only needed for a few minutes or if she is able to wear a t-shirt to stop the grass touching her belly where her hair may be shorter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ness Posted January 12, 2011 Share Posted January 12, 2011 (edited) Would an over the counter antihistamine help? Plenty of human ones that you can use on dogs. I have used one on my older girl for seasonal itchiness and mostly I only use one when I know we are going to trial so in a similar situation to you. Edited January 12, 2011 by ness Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sas Posted January 12, 2011 Share Posted January 12, 2011 You're well within your rights to use either of those meds and your Vet would prescribe them, however keep in mind there are side effects from each which may interfer with your top giving its best performance on the day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stormie Posted January 12, 2011 Share Posted January 12, 2011 Atopica is wonderful, however it's not a drug you can give for instant relief. You need to give it over a long period of time before you start to see results, so I'm not sure it would be appropriate for your situation if you just wanted something to use before the ring. I would think a couple of days of cortisone just before would help, and so long as the dose is kept low and it's not a regular thing, you would be unlikely to see any side effects. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TerraNik Posted January 13, 2011 Share Posted January 13, 2011 (edited) Yep, you can... But as Sas says the side effects may impact on her performance. If you're only using it for 1-2 days before a trial, you shouldn't see any long term side effects. My Keeshond has trialled while being on corticosteroids - he couldn't have done it without it (it was early in his immunotherapy program). But it did make him INTENSELY hungry and therefore his drive levels went through the roof! I had to feed him before stays and really try to calm him down before we went in Other options are for her to wear a coat that covers her belly while she's in the ring. That will reduce her contact with the grass and may reduce her itching or at least reduce the irritation to her belly from the grass/ground. Edited January 13, 2011 by TerraNik Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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