Allergy Dog - Seeking Skin Management Tips

[Polgara's Shadow]

An 8 week old pup with skin allergies points very strongly to a genetic component in your dog's immune system issues. Given his breed and colour, this is unsurprising.

Vulcan isn't blue. He is dark brindle and white. What gives you the idea that he is blue? He came from a reputable registered breeder after careful research. His lines have no history of allergies and neither are there any blue dogs. None of the other pups in his litter have allergies either.

I've tried all food combinations... including with and without grain. The only difference is when we introduce lamb, fish or pork which is when the itches increase significantly. Food is easily managed however and he usually isn't itchy. Itching to the point of breaking skin is happening now, but thankfully it's rare.

Erny I guess I put the why down to genetic variability, managed it the best we could and thanked our lucky stars he hasn't been too badly impacted. But the occasional flare ups do happen and I would like to reduce their intensity and even extinguish them altogether if this is possible. Are you aware of a Vet on/near Mornington Peninsula that would work with us to get the tests you mention done and follow through with supplements/dietary reccomendations? I've exhausted my own vet's expertise (and probably patience too). These days when I ask what more I could be doing they simply tell me I'm doing a great job and to keep it up.

essentialdog & WreckitWhippet Thanks for the anti-histamine info!

[Salukifan]

An 8 week old pup with skin allergies points very strongly to a genetic component in your dog's immune system issues. Given his breed and colour, this is unsurprising.

Vulcan isn't blue. He is dark brindle and white. What gives you the idea that he is blue? He came from a reputable registered breeder after careful research. His lines have no history of allergies and neither are there any blue dogs. None of the other pups in his litter have allergies either.

Apologies for the mistake. He looked blue to me in the photos. The breed is prone to skin issues though. What vaccinations has he/does he receive?

[Polgara's Shadow]

Haredown Whippets Apology accepted. He is very dark - I guess the sun shining off his coat in the second photo makes him look a bit blue? He had all his puppy vaccs and now just gets the three year booster - I think he got that last year so won't have any for awhile. His did have a KC vacc a year ago as we thought we might need to board him on our trip around Australia (he came with us), there's no need to repeat that this year.

Just went shopping. I picked up some roo mince from the supermarket and will put that with Vets all Natural complete mix while his skin settles down as I know he does well on that. We did just try a new food, Natures Gift chicken kibble, the ingredient list looked devoid of triggers but maybe there something in there not agreeing with him. Thinking back - he hasn't had sores like these since we were working out his food allergies years ago so maybe the new food has contributed ?

I also picked up a probiotic from the health food store thinking to add it to his food. Is giving this to him helpful? If not we can always use it ourselves.

[Erny]

Think deeper than just specific food items as "triggers". Although this can be the case in instances, skin conditions can occur due to the digestive system becoming sluggish - i.e. having to work too hard to digest, and that can be not necessarily a specific protein source but due to the way things are prepared, where the protein source came from/how it was raised, etc. Even our water can be a contributor to issues with super sensitive dogs and this is something I've considered I should potentially address ..... if only it were so simple and wasn't going to cost me a bomb, as I tend to totally refresh water bowls daily.

I did mention I'd run a thyroid test - however I forgot at the time the age of your pup. The likelihood of even the USA tests picking up on thyroid under 12 months of age is slim, even though their tests are vastly more sensitive and thorough than ours. I ran tests on my boy at 10mo and they came out as "excellent" thyroid levels. Only 7 months later I ran them again (suspecting inconclusive results due to testing too early) and they came in as very low. Thyroid doesn't generally perform irratically like that, which points to it being likely that my did have the thyroid issue at a younger age, but the onset was so early that he fell under the radar, so to speak.

I would run a hair-DNA test though, if it were me.

Edited April 22, 2014 by Erny

[VizslaMomma]

[

I also picked up a probiotic from the health food store thinking to add it to his food. Is giving this to him helpful? If not we can always use it ourselves.

He's a gorgeous dog going by those photos. My monitor made him appear blue as well.

A probiotic will complement his diet. It's a good idea.

You may be at that part of the ongoing skin ailments where reappraisal is needed.

It must be upsetting for you to frequently see Vulcan in distress.

As was said, please try to avoid the malaseb. Even diluted it is too strong for what is a known sensistive skin.

:)

[Polgara's Shadow]

Erny Vulcan is now 4.5yo so should be fine with the thyroid test. Allergies became apparent pretty soon after we brought him home at 8wks. He was a rangy scabby little pup until we got on top of his food intolerances by about 6months. I'll look into the tests and try and find a vet who will work with me.

VizslaMomma It is very distressing to see him so uncomfortable. I am however thankful he has pretty mild symptoms all considered, he has never been in a state like poor Chase on page 1, even at his worst. I put some of the probiotic into his dinner tonight and hope this helps over the coming weeks. He isn't itching anymore so just need to keep him off the sores till they heal. The second Malseb bath so soon after the first was a bit of a desperate measure really

BTW - I won a photo shoot with Ruthless a couple years ago :D here's the thread where I showed off some of the photo's. I hope they show his brindle colors better. Vulcan still looks like this.

Vulcan's Ruthless photo's

[VizslaMomma]

VizslaMomma It is very distressing to see him so uncomfortable. I am however thankful he has pretty mild symptoms all considered, he has never been in a state like poor Chase on page 1, even at his worst. I put some of the probiotic into his dinner tonight and hope this helps over the coming weeks. He isn't itching anymore so just need to keep him off the sores till they heal. The second Malseb bath so soon after the first was a bit of a desperate measure really

BTW - I won a photo shoot with Ruthless a couple years ago :D here's the thread where I showed off some of the photo's. I hope they show his brindle colors better. Vulcan still looks like this.

Vulcan's Ruthless photo's

OHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! OHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! What a honey

I noticed you are in Victoria. My gut feeling is that Doctor Bruce Syme may be of great benefit to you.

My new puppy is on his raw diet AND is plain powering.

You may not know but this lovely man is also a member here.

Thank you for showing me the photos. Your boy is simply bonny.

VM

[Polgara's Shadow]

VislaMomma you made me laugh! I don't think he would have done well in the show ring but not being show quality meant he was available to us and we think he's fantastic. Just quietly he melts my heart every time I look at him. I often feed Vulcan VAN complete mix with kangaroo or chicken mince along with the omega oil and skin & coat formula. It's been a reliable part of his diet over the years, but haven't used it for a little while just because the Nutro Chicken & rice kibble has been just as good and a bit more convenient.

Thanks everyone for your help . You've given me comfort that I'm managing these flare-ups the best I can (and that I shouldn't panic and get heavy handed with the Malseb!). You've also given me confidence that it is possible to reduce the flareup's by finding out exactly whats going on with him and improving his immune system through diet. I think I have enough leads to do my own investigations (based on what you've given me) but always keen to hear more!

[Lynn168]

That's quite upsetting seeing the state of your Sheltie's skin back in 2010. I'm so glad he feels better. I would freak out if that were happening to my dog. Good for you for persisting.

Yea, it was terrible =/ Obviously it didn't happen over night. I first noticed that he was licking his paws and scratching a lot when he was around 5 or 6 months old, and it got worse, then better, worse, better, then a lot worse.. those photos were from when he was 4, and he had already been under vet treatment for years then. It was a really stressful time, and he was so sick looking and sad, and I felt so helpless and frustrated because nothing I tried made him feel any better.

I don't want to hijack the thread but I think it's good for people to know it can get better and to just keep trying and be persistent :)

[aussielover]

I might need to get him an elizabethan collar from the vet if the sores don't improve, I'm also out of anti-histamines - but vet isn't open until tomorrow.

Did you know that you could use a human anti-histamine for your boy?

It is much cheaper than one from the Vet.

I'll try to find some recent threads here about this. As well there is more about skin issues.

Am using my ipad which is a tad restricting to search.

BRB

:)

Actually its not necessarily cheaper. Brand names such as claratyne, zyrtec, polaramine etc are pretty pricey for what you get (sometimes only 14 tablets) and for a large dog the doses are often pretty high.

I've been through the full antihistamine trial with my dog and at one stage she was taking 4 zyrtec daily (it was ineffective anyway)

The vet brand- iramine, was actually pretty cheap in comparison (around $20 for a month). Unfortunately, they were ineffective as well.

Have you done a food elimination diet or seen a dermatologist?

[Polgara's Shadow]

Hi everyone, I thought I'd check in and let you know how we are getting on.

After Erny's suggestion I decided to switch foods to Augustine Approved. This required buying a blender (which took a while to arrive) - but I'm now enjoying smoothies and Vulcan is being fed the AA recipe. We've been on the new diet for two weeks now and I'm feeding the AA recipe mixed up with beef or kangaroo mince (depending on what's available). Vulcan looves the new food! He is also getting beef bones each week. He is only getting walked twice a week when I can take him to the beach (to avoid walking on grass). Vulcan is also getting 2x weekly calendula rinses. I've stopped using the malseb baths and cortizone cream altogether.

Vulcan's itches are 95% better. The sore that wasn't going away is now covered over and his hair is growing back in. I plan to do thyroid and allergy tests but will wait till he has been on this new diet for at least six weeks first. Tomorrow I'll start walking around the streets with Vulcan again and see what impact that has.

I told a few friends at work that the $600 blender I just bought was for my dog and got some bizarre looks - so thankful I can come here and discuss this stuff with all of you

[persephone]

WooHoo!! What a terrific update! :D

[BC Crazy]

Way to go PS !!! Wonderful news :)

Amazing what a difference diet can make. Well done.

[Erny]

Brilliant, PS !!!

So glad it's working for Vulcan. :D

My blender cost $800.00 (that was 2 years ago). I got the same looks, but with the time involved in the food preparation and the time it saves, well worth it :).

I've been meaning to explore making smoothies and trying to give myself a healthy diet - haven't quite got to that point yet.

Edited June 1, 2014 by Erny

[scarlett rose]

Hi there, I too have a supersensitive skin allergic dog. My purebred border collie is allergic to grass!! She got to the stage where she totally licked the hair off her back, legs, feet, hind quarters etc. I was an absolute mess for loss of wondering what was going on. Her skin is so sensitive I cannot use any spot ons, tick collars as she goes red all over. Bathing her I cannot use any products containing sulphates, oatmeals, or detergent based products. I have bought Malaseb, which made her worse, and all the other shampoos from vets, pet shops etc which did not help whatsoever! Many a day I just cried for her wishing for a miracle cure. I now how her in peak condition and if this helps any of you lovely furbaby owners it will make my day. I was very fortunate enough to find a product to bath her in with no reaction, it is actually a soap called "Man's Best Friend" it is Australian Made and I buy it online from Sydney, and sometimes they open a stall at pet shows etc. It has settled my girl down unbelievably, she has no redness, no hair missing and so happy in herself. I have been using this now for over 6 months, when I spoke to the company it was a pharmacist that made the product originally. Her hair feels so soft and conditioned and my hands feel soft after using it!

When I take her for a walk, I try my best to keep her off seeded grasses, but always hose her feet off before she comes inside. Moulds from compost in your garden can also trigger these allergies off. I now have pebbles throughout my yard to alleviate that problem also and I don't have to worry about weeds near her. She gets exercised on the beach and non grassed areas where possible. I have an amazing vet so that in the off chance she has had a reaction which hasn't happened now for quite a white the vet has sold me Cortavance spray to spray directly on any inflamed areas the minute I see her remotely scratch herself, otherwise she needs prednisone tablets for 5 days, which I really like to avoid.

Scarlett is 7 years old and a purebred, it is now in the last 6 months thanks to the soap, my vets products and mentioned and my vigilance of checking for any hot spots, scratching etc, that my beautiful girl is now like a lively happy puppy, with a coat to die for. Have faith in yourself and your pet, research and most importantly don't give up! Miracles are always out there for cures, you just need to keep an open mind and try till you find your cure. Our beautiful pets solely rely on us and trust us! I meant to mention that my dogs also get a lot of vegetable in their diets and a carrot each day. I believe the vitamins in these products help the immune system! Hope this all makes sense and helps you!!

[scarlett rose]

Hi there, I too have a supersensitive skin allergic dog. My purebred border collie is allergic to grass!! She got to the stage where she totally licked the hair off her back, legs, feet, hind quarters etc. I was an absolute mess for loss of wondering what was going on. Her skin is so sensitive I cannot use any spot ons, tick collars as she goes red all over. Bathing her I cannot use any products containing sulphates, oatmeals, or detergent based products. I have bought Malaseb, which made her worse, and all the other shampoos from vets, pet shops etc which did not help whatsoever! Many a day I just cried for her wishing for a miracle cure. I now how her in peak condition and if this helps any of you lovely furbaby owners it will make my day. I was very fortunate enough to find a product to bath her in with no reaction, it is actually a soap called "Man's Best Friend" it is Australian Made and I buy it online from Sydney, and sometimes they open a stall at pet shows etc. It has settled my girl down unbelievably, she has no redness, no hair missing and so happy in herself. I have been using this now for over 6 months, when I spoke to the company it was a pharmacist that made the product originally. Her hair feels so soft and conditioned and my hands feel soft after using it!

When I take her for a walk, I try my best to keep her off seeded grasses, but always hose her feet off before she comes inside. Moulds from compost in your garden can also trigger these allergies off. I now have pebbles throughout my yard to alleviate that problem also and I don't have to worry about weeds near her. She gets exercised on the beach and non grassed areas where possible. I have an amazing vet so that in the off chance she has had a reaction which hasn't happened now for quite a white the vet has sold me Cortavance spray to spray directly on any inflamed areas the minute I see her remotely scratch herself, otherwise she needs prednisone tablets for 5 days, which I really like to avoid.

Scarlett is 7 years old and a purebred, it is now in the last 6 months thanks to the soap, my vets products and mentioned and my vigilance of checking for any hot spots, scratching etc, that my beautiful girl is now like a lively happy puppy, with a coat to die for. Have faith in yourself and your pet, research and most importantly don't give up! Miracles are always out there for cures, you just need to keep an open mind and try till you find your cure. Our beautiful pets solely rely on us and trust us! I meant to mention that my dogs also get a lot of vegetable in their diets and a carrot each day. I believe the vitamins in these products help the immune system! Hope this all makes sense and helps you!!

[Polgara's Shadow]

Just popping in to give an update - been a busy few months!

His itching decreased with the change in diet but I was also not walking him - when I started walking again the sores came back.

Vulcan has had had blood tests for thyroid and environmental allergens. I ended up going with my own vet. No thyroid problems, but he is allergic to all 13 of the grasses they test for . He's also allergic to Melaluca and Casuarina trees - which we have heaps of - and four weeds. I was expecting him to be allergic to grass - but not all of them . I have Jean Dodd's saliva test kit now which tests for various meats as well as environmental allergens. I'll get the sample and send that off in the next week or so.

My vet tells me we have two options for the environmental allergens: a medication (Atopica) or desensitisation injections. Both very expensive options. But he's definitly gotten worse over the past yer so we're going to trial the Atopica first to see if that has any impact (aparently it works for some and not others) as he can be on that while we explore desensitisation injections with a specialist. I'll also do the Jean Dodd's (hempopet) test and put the results of that into the mix too.

Hi scarletrose - thanks for sharing your experience :) .

Edited August 20, 2014 by Polgara's Shadow

[Little Gifts]

PS, Have you considered doggy boots for walks? I know Cane Toad bought some for his pei Jonah (pics in the Photos area) because of allergies and the stones being rough on his feet after they'd moved from a coastal area to a mining town. Could be a simple solution to his walks at least.

[Polgara's Shadow]

Hi Little Gifts, yes we have thought but not bought any - yet. In fact we have throught about a lycra suit with boots :laugh: because it's not just his feet that get itchy . We discussed this with the vet - his opinion is that he is reacting to both inhaled and contact allergens (so covering his skin won't completly fix the problem).

I'm not in love with the idea of putting him on a medication like Atopica for the rest of his life to be honest. But if he gets releif from it I'll have bought some time to keep exploring options (rather than putting all my efforts into keeping him comfortable).

Edited August 20, 2014 by Polgara's Shadow