[LifeofPi]

I recently adopted a dog I've been fostering for 3 months. She's presents with allergies. Chronic ear infections, itchy paws, itchy face. She's on a high dose of Apoquel while we test different diets. Thing is, the Apoquel doesn't completely eliminate her itch. I'm still putting socks on her at night - and now during the day since she recently tore up between the toes of her hind foot. I don't see signs of a secondary infection. She's better than she was - when I put the socks on she generally leaves her feet alone. It's been nice getting hair and healthy skin back on her paws.

Anyway, anyone have a dog with allergies and have Apoquel not work?

 

[3GSD4IPO]

Has your vet checked for mange? Ask them to do that.

Apoquel does not work for every dog. The thing here is to try to find what she is allergic too (and that is a daunting task) and try to eliminate that. Sometimes it is chicken (I recall someone saying "no feathered meats" for an allergic dog).

Each allergy medication for dogs works a little differently. You may need to ask your vet about Cytopoint or Atopecia.

Here is a link to more information:
Atopic Dermatitis: Steroids vs. Atopica vs. Apoquel vs. Cytopoint - Veterinary Medicine at Illinois .

 

[LifeofPi]

Has your vet checked for mange? Ask them to do that.

Apoquel does not work for every dog. The thing here is to try to find what she is allergic too (and that is a daunting task) and try to eliminate that. Sometimes it is chicken (I recall someone saying "no feathered meats" for an allergic dog).

Each allergy medication for dogs works a little differently. You may need to ask your vet about Cytopoint or Atopecia.

Here is a link to more information:
Atopic Dermatitis: Steroids vs. Atopica vs. Apoquel vs. Cytopoint - Veterinary Medicine at Illinois .

I asked the vet about mange...they blew it off and didn't seem to think that was. I guess it couldn't hurt to bring it up again. Though her coat is beautiful, overall. The visibly affected areas are hair loss on her underbelly, itchy paws/nail beds, chronic ear infections, and itchy face. Since chicken is widely available here, we first tried a strict chicken and rice diet with a round of Prednisone. The Pred knocked out the itch quickly, but it returned as soon as the treatment stopped despite still being on the diet. So now, we're trying a fish based diet, with some pork liver thrown in for nutrition. It's a home cooked diet as there are no chicken free dog foods available here. She's also on salmon oil. Honestly, I don't think the chicken free diet is working as we've been on it for 3-4 weeks and she still has some crazy itch periods. I find it a little daunting to think of cooking her a chicken/feather and grain free diet next.

Thanks for the link! I don't have access to some of those options on this tiny island, but may be able to bring some in to try.

 

[3GSD4IPO]

You could suggest to your vet treating for sarcoptic mange (it is not expensive) and see if it works. It may very well NOT be mange and skin scrapings are miserable to do and to diagnose from.

The dog's symptoms sound like food allergy.. but that is between you and your vet.
Good Luck. Allergies in dogs are just miserable to deal with.