Seasonal Allergies

[Jessika]

Charlie has seasonal allergies that have REALLY been kicking him in the butt (quite literally) this week. He has already chewed a patch of fur off above his stub and was bleeding a little last night (its pussy today, I have been putting antibacterial stuff on it). I knew he was really itchy but did not discover the spot until late last night. I gave him a benedryl, it seemed to help since he hasn't been scratching or biting at it since then. BUT if its seasonal allergies, is there anything I can do other than give him a benedryl?? Bathe him with oatmeal shampoo?? Or do you think fish oil supplementing would help with the itchy skin??

Another question -- we lost our bitter apple spray in the move (or left it at my parents). In any case, the nearest place to get more is an hour away, so I was wondering (yes, call me crazy!) if I could maybe put vinegar on the fur around the spot to discourage him from chewing on it? Do you think that might work? Or is that a big no-no?

Yes, he has been to the vet when this sprung up a year ago, they haven't been very helpful other than doing skin scrapes and charging me an arm and a leg for a procedure that didn't even take 30 seconds to do.

[Glacier]

Vinegar will likely sting, but it should be safe for him to ingest.

My Sleet has seasonal allergies. She'll start scratching and chewing in June when the snow is all gone and stuff starts to grow. I've given up on all the over the counter remedies. Nothing helped her very much. For the last three years when she starts to scratch, she goes to the vet and gets a shot of Depro-medol. It's very similar to prednisone. For Sleet, Prednisone had some nasty side effects. It turns her into a pyscho puppy. The Depro doesn't work quite as fast (pred stopped the itching within the hour, Depro takes a day), but it has no effect on her personality. Sometimes she needs a second shot in September, depends on the weather. Sleet loves an early frost!

[Jessika]

Thanks a bunch! I'll look into the shots.

For the time being I heard someone say you can use Gold Bond Body Powder to help the itching??

[BitsyNaceyDog]

Bitsy has allergies too. I don't like using Bitter Apple spay because it doesn't kill the itch, it just gives it an unpleasant taste and they're still suffering. I like using Allercaine spray (http://www.petintercare.com/products/allercaine.htm). It works really well, I use it on myself when I get bit by a mosquito. I do still use benadryl and an oatmeal shampoo.

[beeniesmom]

What is a good oatmeal shampoo?
Beenie has been having allergies too and is losing a little fur in very small spots.

[Jessika]

What is a good oatmeal shampoo?
Beenie has been having allergies too and is losing a little fur in very small spots.

I got the 8in1 perfect coat oatmeal shampoo, but only used it on them once this past summer cause I left it outside and they later got ahold of the bottle.. :rolleyes: But yes, I am open for suggestions as well as to what a good oatmeal shampoo is. Price isn't a problem, either.

[VTJess03]

Couldn't you use Aveeno ('human' shampoo), or even the oatmeal treatment that Aveeno makes for a bath soak (my mom got it for me when I had chickenpox)?

I had a vet tell me that most dog shampoos are just overpriced versions of people shampoos anyway. (for example, he recommended using Johnson'n'Johnson baby shampoo on my kitten because it was gentle and 'balanced'); he himself uses Dawn dishwashing detergent to bathe dogs when they are too dirty or oily to treat (yes, some poor mis-informed people around us use old diesel fuel, etc. as a home remedy flea dip :( ) and has never had any problems with allergies to the soaps or anything.

I'm interested in this topic, too and will watch to see what other people recommend, since my girls have some mild allergies...which could get worse, I suppose.

[.sarah]

The vet thinks Nova has seasonal allergies. We have taken her in for rashes, itching, and yeast infections 3 times since January when we first switched over to this vet (my old vet was not a very observant one). He said if it returned again that he'd reccomend an allergy test, and that is what we are going to do. We have been applying medication to her paws for a couple weeks now and she quit chewing them, but now has started chewing her hocks. She's just so uncomfortable and is chewing herself raw. The bitter apple spray does squat to keep her from chewing.

[Jessika]

Yeah I tried vinegar as a temp substitute but apparently he LIKES the taste of it.. :rolleyes:

We went to Walmart today and I picked up some medicated shampoo for skin irritation (they were out of oatmeal!!). We're going to give him a bath tomorrow, I hope it works!

Thanks everyone for your suggestions. If this stuff doesn't work, I'll try the Aveeno.. thanks!

[beeniesmom]

I purchased a bottle of dog shampoo today at a local pet supply store.
It's a peppermint and tea tree oil based shampoo. It says on the bottle that it is supposed to help for dry itchy skin, hot spots and general skin allergies.
I am going to try it on both mine tomorrow and let you know how it works. Smells good.... like candy canes!
It's called Cain and Abel peppermint conditioning shampoo. Anyone ever heard of it?

[Dixieland Dancer]

My Dusty has seasonal allergies too. The only time he is comfortable is when there is snow on the ground. He was allergy tested and is allergic to 48 different things, most being grasses, molds and trees. How do you keep a Golden who loves to run out of the grass? :( It's impossible!

I have a wonderful vet. He suggested that I give Dusty weekly whole baths during peak pollen season using an anti fungal shampoo. The vet suggested using Melaluca anti fungal shampoo made by Parke Davis Co. I have tried oatmeal shampoos and I do need to say, they do NOT compare to this Melaluca in giving Dusty relief. In addition, I give his paws and under belly a good rinse after playing in the grass using a diluted amount of the Melaluca shampoo. The idea is to rinse off the things that are irritants to his skin condition before they have a chance to settle. Thank god I bought a booster bath for the dogs so I don't have to bend over giving baths! :D All of that helped but we took it a couple steps further.

I switched him to a grain free food (Innova EVO). His allergies are not food related but this really helped his coat and skin. This is the best thing on the market next to raw diets. Then we got a special serum developed just for him from the results of his allergy test. He gets injections twice a week. This is our first spring blooming season with all of these things in place and Dusty is doing amazing. Normally this time of year he has his paws eaten up and his coat is in terrible condition. So far this year, he has the most beautiful coat he's ever had in the spring! :D I pay about $130 every three months for the serum for his shots. I know it's a bit pricey but it is worth it not to see him itch.

If Benedryl works in keeping him itch free, then give it to him. During allergy season, don't give it when he is having problems but give it to him on a daily basis to prevent him from having problems. My vet had me try Benedryl in the beginning of our treatment diagnosis but it didn't touch Dusty's itchies.