Allergies!!!

Portrait Painter · 03-13-2007, 05:03 PM

My poor little Cricket is still gnawing on her left leg, paw area...even after the latest food we've tried per our vet. I was wondering...can I get some input from you all on taking dogs to a dermatologists/allergists?
Thanks!
Amy & Cricket

Ginny01OT · 03-13-2007, 05:15 PM

I don't know what food your vet recommended but I would definitely be sure your food didn't have any dried beet pulp, yeast (brewer's), corn or wheat in it. I would be sure the food you are feeding doesn't contain any of that. If it does I would switch to a grain-free or different type of dog food (much cheaper than seeing an allergist) and also make it lamb or chicken based (not beef). Also take away rawhide. I had many allergy issues with my dog--I extremely limit his beef intake, he has raw patties--chicken, lamb, venison or rabbit with some chicken or lamb based kibble--no more rawhide and I give hime wholesome dog treats and it worked for me!! If you do all that and he still has issues sounds like you will need to see an allergist. Good luck!

Jillibeanz72 · 03-13-2007, 05:23 PM

Hi Amy. My boy, Mozart, had many skin and allergy problems as a younger dog. I read an article about dog foods and it said that any food label that says "animal byproducts" means that it contains parts of the animal that are not fit for human consumption. I immediately changed his food to Nutro Natural Choice, and he has had very few skin outbreaks. When he was licking and gnawing his paws, my vet said to put Listerine on his paws. He said that the Listerine would disinfect anything that might be there and the taste would stop Mo from licking. Don't use the minty kind - the original is the one that tastes bed! Hope this was helpful!

Jill and Mozart

MagicToller · 03-13-2007, 07:08 PM

The two most common causes for allergies are food and flea related. Depending on what you're feeding him and if he has preventative medicine for fleas, it could vary. There are also other environmental factors that could be upsetting him, but it's most likely food or flea allergy dermatitis (FAD).

Here's a little something to read up on:
http://www.marvistavet.com/html/body...allergies.html

Koi, my Toller pup, suffers from flea allergies.. and it doesn't help that I live in South Florida - where no matter where you go, chances are a flea will hop on him and all it takes is one bite to get him irritated.

In anycase, let us know some more: What are you feeding? What flea preventatives are you using? What do the itchy areas look like?

Portrait Painter · 03-13-2007, 11:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ginny01OT

I don't know what food your vet recommended but I would definitely be sure your food didn't have any dried beet pulp, yeast (brewer's), corn or wheat in it. I would be sure the food you are feeding doesn't contain any of that. If it does I would switch to a grain-free or different type of dog food (much cheaper than seeing an allergist) and also make it lamb or chicken based (not beef). Also take away rawhide. I had many allergy issues with my dog--I extremely limit his beef intake, he has raw patties--chicken, lamb, venison or rabbit with some chicken or lamb based kibble--no more rawhide and I give hime wholesome dog treats and it worked for me!! If you do all that and he still has issues sounds like you will need to see an allergist. Good luck!

Well, we do know she's highly allergic to chicken & corn but he put her on Royal Canin Venison & Potato...it doesn't contain any of that stuff you mentioned. he explained to me that the proteins are what dogs are allergic to and venison & potato checmically have the simplest protein chains so they are least likely to irritate her allergies, duck is another variety but were on venison now...maybe it is the rawhide chews...gosh I can't stand taking everything away from her!!! I would almost rather spend the money and find out exactly what she's allergic to...and then that way I can feed her a more varied diet. Thanks

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jillibeanz72

Hi Amy. My boy, Mozart, had many skin and allergy problems as a younger dog. I read an article about dog foods and it said that any food label that says "animal byproducts" means that it contains parts of the animal that are not fit for human consumption. I immediately changed his food to Nutro Natural Choice, and he has had very few skin outbreaks. When he was licking and gnawing his paws, my vet said to put Listerine on his paws. He said that the Listerine would disinfect anything that might be there and the taste would stop Mo from licking. Don't use the minty kind - the original is the one that tastes bed! Hope this was helpful!

Jill and Mozart

Yeah, she was on Nutro for 3 weeks...no avail, then we switched her to Canidae which is human-grade...she has never eaten any thing other than "top shelf" and were still having issues....I think an allergist may be my only hope.

Quote:

Originally Posted by MagicToller

The two most common causes for allergies are food and flea related. Depending on what you're feeding him and if he has preventative medicine for fleas, it could vary. There are also other environmental factors that could be upsetting him, but it's most likely food or flea allergy dermatitis (FAD).

Here's a little something to read up on:
http://www.marvistavet.com/html/body...allergies.html

Koi, my Toller pup, suffers from flea allergies.. and it doesn't help that I live in South Florida - where no matter where you go, chances are a flea will hop on him and all it takes is one bite to get him irritated.

In anycase, let us know some more: What are you feeding? What flea preventatives are you using? What do the itchy areas look like?

As a puppy she ate Iams, then we switched her to Nutro, then Canidae, now Royal Canin...she just turned 1. She is a small yorkie who lives indoors I have seen 1 flea on her since I got her (6 weeks) and that was the day I brought her home...In the summer we put Advantix on her...so were positive it's a food allergy...Ginny mentioned rawhide...which I guess I have to take away too...great!!! It's mainly her left paw, she has long hair so it's only visible when I run water on it ...just a little scab thing where she gnaws...it's not like a big lesion or something. It just makes me sad for her when she bites her paw...I think I am just going to take her to the allergist ...I kid you not I have 100 dollars worth of dog food in my pantry because of 3 week trial to identify the culprit!

Ginny01OT · 03-14-2007, 08:06 AM

My dog had wicked ear infections when he was on Iams. Take away the rawhide and see what happens--that is what my vet told me to do--I came very close to putting him on food trials and seeing an allergist but that really seemed to help--it is worth a try!!!! I hope it all works out I kind of know what you are going through and it is not fun, very worrisome.

Portrait Painter · 03-14-2007, 12:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ginny01OT

My dog had wicked ear infections when he was on Iams. Take away the rawhide and see what happens--that is what my vet told me to do--I came very close to putting him on food trials and seeing an allergist but that really seemed to help--it is worth a try!!!! I hope it all works out I kind of know what you are going through and it is not fun, very worrisome.

Gosh....I feel like an evil mom, rawhide is her fave...but I'm going to try that....wouldn't that be the way things work out all those food trials and it's as simple as the rawhide...you know that has been the common denominator the whole time... I bet it is the rawhide...how are those greenies things, maybe as a substitute.

Ginny01OT · 03-14-2007, 06:55 PM

No, don't giver her greenies, there is a whole issue about dogs that didn't fully digest them and got very ill, you can search it online. I bought them and someone told me about it and I confirmed it with a web search so I returned them. Instead I bought Nylabone dental chews I always supervise him when he eats it tho and when it gets down to a lump I take it away and throw it out because I am afraid he could swallow it whole. I hope the rawhide thing works for you. I give my dog Cadet Rabbit and Chicken filets to chew on and Innova Evo grain free treats. So far so good, I have my fingers crossed for you (give it a few weeks so all of the stuff in the rawhide truly gets out of their system)--I hope it works!!!

MagicToller · 03-15-2007, 10:15 AM

Quote:

It's mainly her left paw, she has long hair so it's only visible when I run water on it ...just a little scab thing where she gnaws...it's not like a big lesion or something. It just makes me sad for her when she bites her paw...

If it's on the bottom of her paw, it could also be a contact allergy. I.e - grass, carpet, fiber glass, etc.

Portrait Painter · 03-15-2007, 05:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MagicToller

If it's on the bottom of her paw, it could also be a contact allergy. I.e - grass, carpet, fiber glass, etc.

No...it's like her "forearm" where telittle scab is...her legs are only like 6 inches long so she chews from the middle of gher leg down to the top of her paw. I have followed Ginnys advice on the rawhide, I pulled it from all hiding spots and toy boxes and threw it out yesterday. I hope this works

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ginny01OT

No, don't giver her greenies, there is a whole issue about dogs that didn't fully digest them and got very ill, you can search it online. I bought them and someone told me about it and I confirmed it with a web search so I returned them. Instead I bought Nylabone dental chews I always supervise him when he eats it tho and when it gets down to a lump I take it away and throw it out because I am afraid he could swallow it whole. I hope the rawhide thing works for you. I give my dog Cadet Rabbit and Chicken filets to chew on and Innova Evo grain free treats. So far so good, I have my fingers crossed for you (give it a few weeks so all of the stuff in the rawhide truly gets out of their system)--I hope it works!!!

Yeah, that's eight I did hear about greenies killing dogs, getting lodged in their digeative areas. Hey, I pulled all the rawhide up yesterday...so you think a couple of weeks, huh. I hope this works!!!! Thanks

Ginny01OT · 03-15-2007, 11:20 PM

I really hope it works for you. Keep me posted!!!

I really hope it works for you. Keep me posted!!! If you wanted to you could give her some green tripe after dinner. I use Tripett, they have three different types, I use the lamb. I get it from petfooddirect.com. I have a standard poodle so I give him a half can at dinner time (in addition to his dinner--it is really a supplement). Green tripe is supposed to be excellent for their coats and skin---and they love it even tho most humans find it smelly. The Menhaden fish oil in it can only help and it is really a benign food/supplement. Good luck.

Portrait Painter · 03-16-2007, 04:23 PM

Thanks Ginny, I'll keep you posted...I don't know if it's my imagination...just beacause I want this to work so badly...but it seems like she's scratching less. I'm going to give her a bath tonight...when she's really clean it's easier for me to gauge whether or notshe's been gnawing on her leg because after a day or so the fur isn't as blond..it's more pinkish blod, just from the little scabby things. Plus it will get any little scabs just hanging out there in her fur off. Like I said I'll keep you posted. Do you have a page on dogster? I'd live to see your little doggie.

Ginny01OT · 03-16-2007, 05:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Portrait Painter

Thanks Ginny, I'll keep you posted...I don't know if it's my imagination...just beacause I want this to work so badly...but it seems like she's scratching less. I'm going to give her a bath tonight...when she's really clean it's easier for me to gauge whether or notshe's been gnawing on her leg because after a day or so the fur isn't as blond..it's more pinkish blod, just from the little scabby things. Plus it will get any little scabs just hanging out there in her fur off. Like I said I'll keep you posted. Do you have a page on dogster? I'd live to see your little doggie.

No I don't have a page on dogster but I guess I should. I try to post pictures of Riley but I am having a hard time, I can only get one--which I have below---he is doing very well now, thank goodness--I am sure your dog will too!! Everytime I try to attach a picture it says the file exceeds the allowed amount.....this is the only picture it would let me upload for some reason. He is going to be silver, takes up to three years for him to "clear".

merrow · 03-17-2007, 06:12 AM

teddy used to have alergys when on bakers then i moved to burns A food with no colerings and stuff in it and he was ok i then moved him on to natral raw food and he hant itches or any thing since.

i did give him an anti hisstermin pill half in the morning half at night to help with the itching while the food worked its way out which helped loads as he was balding his bum and sides with itching, and he also only gets natral treats as i found the pedigre treats do the same to him

i hope ur little gye has stoped itching now

i also found adding to apple cider viniger to his water helped as well and i used to mix it with water in a spray bottle and it used to dry up any sores he caused as well altogh he smelt a bit like salad dressing lol

i also no a lady wioth schnauzers and she rinses there fet and legs in water after a walk as the breed can suffer with sensitve skin.
xxx

rik · 03-17-2007, 11:30 AM

Hi,

Sore skin related to an underlying allergy is common in dogs.

Flea saliva allergy is the most common. In that case the dog displays typical signs that you may recognise yourself. For more info I recommend you watch this video:
http://www.vetstoria.co.uk/templates...familypet.html

The second most common type of allergy (especially in a yorkshire terrier) is called ATOPY. In that case, the dog is allergic to something in the environment. Common allergens include pollen and house dust mites.

Finally dogs may get skin irritation if they are allergic to their food. This is by far the least common type of allergy. On most occasion, the dog is allergic to one protein (Beef, Chicken, Pig, Lamb and so on). A true food trial is necessary to establish a diagnosis: the dog needs to be on a NEW diet (something he has never been on before), because this is very difficult with some dogs, food companies have develloped hypoallergenic diets. The best ones in my opinion is the hill's ZD ultra: all the elements have been hydrolysed to ensure the food cannot be allergenic: http://www.vetstoria.co.uk/templates...&product=22144

Good luck

Rik

PS: it might not be an allergy at all!!

Portrait Painter · 03-17-2007, 12:31 PM

he's so beautiful!!!!!!! Ypur pics are probably just too big...you can resize them in "paint". Just open the photo in there click image, attributes then change the size...
-Amy

Quote:

Originally Posted by rik

Hi,

Sore skin related to an underlying allergy is common in dogs.

Flea saliva allergy is the most common. In that case the dog displays typical signs that you may recognise yourself. For more info I recommend you watch this video:
http://www.vetstoria.co.uk/templates...familypet.html

The second most common type of allergy (especially in a yorkshire terrier) is called ATOPY. In that case, the dog is allergic to something in the environment. Common allergens include pollen and house dust mites.

Finally dogs may get skin irritation if they are allergic to their food. This is by far the least common type of allergy. On most occasion, the dog is allergic to one protein (Beef, Chicken, Pig, Lamb and so on). A true food trial is necessary to establish a diagnosis: the dog needs to be on a NEW diet (something he has never been on before), because this is very difficult with some dogs, food companies have develloped hypoallergenic diets. The best ones in my opinion is the hill's ZD ultra: all the elements have been hydrolysed to ensure the food cannot be allergenic: http://www.vetstoria.co.uk/templates...&product=22144

Good luck

Rik

PS: it might not be an allergy at all!!

Thanks....I am going to stay on the food trial for 2 more weeks....Based on what Ginny said I have taken away rawhide and that seems to be helping but my instinct is that she also has a touch of ATOPY...because she seems to do it in the bedroom most....that is our only carpeted room (dust mites) we have a brand new mattress plus it's a sleep number so there is no fibers...it's just air filled tubes. Time will Tell!

Ginny01OT · 03-17-2007, 01:33 PM

You may want to look into Tripett (Petfooddirect.com or Sitstay.com) it is excellent for their skin and coat.