Maggie's vet visit -- allergies

[skpaw]

I talked to two new vets about Maggie. One wanted to do special food as well as medication. Today's doc said we did not want to start with the food because Maggie has a yeast infection on her skin and also in the ears. Maggie did improve very much while she was on medication about a month ago. This makes the doctor think that it is not a food problem. He said that if it was food, she would not get better while on the medication. I like this vet better than the others I have talked to. He actually seems to care about my costs and making Maggie feel better. Doc #1 cost $300 and did not even seem to care if Maggie was going to stay better for a long time.

Yesterday's doc consult was mostly worried about food and also pushed hard for complete testing. (She wanted $350 for the same test doc #1 wanted an additional $200 for.) The good vet is a man at the same clinic as doc #2, but he seems much more concerned about how Maggie feels and also understands I have limited funds. Today's treatment was antibiotics for 3 weeks, and a steroid shot. Maggie had a fever. He said we will take care of the infection then watch to see exactly how long the steriods help. She will most likely need more steroid pills that she stays on long term and maybe an antihistamine. They are more likely to go with this treatment for an older dog. Thanks for all the people who care about Maggie.

[Dixieland Dancer]

I hope Maggie is feeling better real soon!

[ramanth]

I hope Maggie feels better soon too!

[lovemyshiba]

Glad to hear that you have found a vet you believe truly cares about Maggie and you!!
I hope she is feeling better real soon!!!

[KYS]

Sending oodles of get well wishes for Maggie
to get better.

[wolfsoul]

one of my dogs has bad allergies too...if it is food that bothers her, i know a really great food for allergies...im not sure what its called, but its made by petsfirst and its wonderful...for my dog it costs 60 dollars but it lasts six months....for a smaller dog it would cost a bit less and last a bit less...it has no corn flour (thats what most dogs are allergic to and it makes them fat...its also usually the main ingredient ) and it had real meat and veggies in it...its very good

[ChrisH]

Poor Maggie Hope she feels better real soon.

Chris

[Donetta]

Check out web site: www.alternativepets.com/allergies.html

It is a very good article about allergies and yeast infections. Also a recipe that you can do.

I forgot to add that if an antibiotic is being used and lactobacilus/acidophilus (good bacteria) is also being used, it should be given at LEAST 2 hours before or after the antibiotic. Some articles on lactobacillus/acidophilus mentions this and some do not. I learned the hard way as I was giving it the same time as the antibiotic and was knocking down the effectiveness of the antibiotic. It took 3 rounds of an antibiotic I was giving my dog before I realized what I was doing (knocking out the effectiveness of the antibiotic ). When I gave the lac/acid. 2-3 hours after the med. , my dog got over his infection.