Allergy testing

[Jessika]

When it got so bad he bled, I would put something like neosporin or polysporin on it. I've heard using goldbond body powder all over their body helps (but was unsure so I have not taken that route). Otherwise what really helped for me this last time was we went to Walmart looking for an oatmeal shampoo but they were out, instead they had this Medicated Shampoo from Hartz (I know I'm usually not too fond of Hartz, either). HJ gave him a bath using it, and it worked! I don't know what it did but he stopped scratching almost immediately. Up until the bath we gave him a benedryl a day.

Another option for hot spots (I forget if its ok to use if the skin is broken) is they have the anti itch spray stuff, but we've never used that. I've heard it works though, especially on their paws.

[lv4dogs]

Raustyk has had extensive allergy testing in the past. It's very similar to human allergy testing, onsiously the more extensive the test the more envolved it is. This should be done by a specialist only. They shave a patch of hair & inject a bunch of different common allergy causing substance, wait 24-48 hours (can't remember for sure). They then examine the area to see what locations are irritated.

Does she happen to eat out of plastic bowls? That could be part of the problem thats causing the irritation around the mouth. It's very comon for dogs who eat out of plastic to get allergy/pimple type symptoms on the muzzle.

[lv4dogs]

I am SO sorry, I forgot to add that I wish yous the best of luck tomorrow & it's really not that bad. We'll be wishing for something simple.

[Dixieland Dancer]

Does she happen to eat out of plastic bowls? That could be part of the problem thats causing the irritation around the mouth. It's very comon for dogs who eat out of plastic to get allergy/pimple type symptoms on the muzzle.

I was going to ask this same question. Plastic is a big no no for dogs. It holds bacteria that cause problems such as what you are seeing around your dogs mouth. Switch to stainless steel bowls for both feeding and drinking and make sure they get a good soapy water clean out at least once a week (or more).

My Dusty was allergy tested. I'll write more about it tomorrow as I am being called in a different direction now by my human kid.

[Karen]

She has my utmost sympathy. As an "allergic person," tell her I feel her pain, and hope you'll be able to figure out both what's bothering her, and how to combat it. Poor Super Nova!

[.sarah]

No, we don't use plastic bowls. We use ceramic, and they are washed after every use. Thanks though.

[Jakesmom]

Jake, my Golden Retriever, is now 9 1/2 year old, and has had allergy problems from about 7 months. He had allergy testing at about 9 months, then every few years or when we have moved. He is allergic to pretty much everything. We started with weekly shots which helped tremendously. A few years ago, we started a restricted diet (rabbit and potato) which helped. He still occaissionally needs to go on antibiotics for the skin infections he gets (dogs with allergies tend to get these skin infections and folliculitis) but the frequency is much reduced. I try to avoid having him on steroids, and have found that none of the antihistamines do much. If he is really, really ithcy, I give him amitryptilline until we get it back under control--has antihistamine (anti-iitch) and is sedating, so he doesn't scratch so much. In general, the problem is manageable but you need to be vigalent.

Your vet may do both skin testing and blood tests. I would definately reccomend seeing a veterinary dermatologist if you can.

Good luck.

[.sarah]

Got the results back a minute ago. She's allergic to quite a few inhalents.

Rhizopus, Candida albicana, Brome grass, Orchard Grass, Velvet Grass, Johnson Grass, Pigweed, Sagebrush, Russian Thistle, Goldenrod, and Red Mulberry.

Of course I was hoping for food allergies because they would have been much easier to treat. She's not allergic to any foods though. The doctor she's been seeing isn't in today so he's going to call me tomorrow to discuss treatment.

[Dixieland Dancer]

No, we don't use plastic bowls. We use ceramic, and they are washed after every use. Thanks though.

If they are older ceramic where the pores are getting course instead of like fired new, they are in the same category as plastic. I highly recommend you switch to stainless steel bowls because they never deteriorate and hold in bacteria. Non stainless bowls are like a very worn cutting board. They look clean but if you look under a microscope you would cringe even after washing it!

My Golden boy, Dusty, has allergies. He was blood tested and came back confirmed to be allergic to 48 different environmental things, including Sugar Maple and Ash trees. Both of those trees make up the majority of the trees in our 3/4 acre back yard! In order for blood tests to be more accurate, the dog should be off all prednisone or topical cortizone creams and sprays for at least 6 weeks. As a precaution, I had him off all meds for the most accurate test possible. Since he was never itch free and was miserable unless there was snow on the ground, it took me almost 10 months before I could have him tested once I decided to go through with testing. When the ground was covered in snow was the only time he would be 100% clear.

Over the years, I learned a lot to try to help him. First, I bought a standing booster bath so I wouldn't have to bend down all the time to bath him. That was more for me than him! Then I would rinse him off everytime he came in from outside. I use a Melaluca Anti Fungal shampoo the vet prescribed (it's wonderful and 100% better than oatmeal shampoos I tried) and would use that every other day on his paws and under belly. Basically it was the areas that were exposed the most to the ground. Every week or so he gets a complete bath! I can smell when he needs a bath as he got an odor about him from the reaction to the outside allergens. This helped some but not completely.

I also switched him to Innova Evo dog food which is grain free. While it was never determined he was allergic to specific foods, he did much better on a grain free food. Innova Evo is the closest thing you can feed your dog without actually going to a raw diet. Both of these things helped him immensely and I continue to do them to this day although it didn't help 100%.

Since January, he gets bi-weekly allergy shots of a serum that was developed especially for him based on his allergy test results. It costs me about $140.00 every two or three months for the serum. While it is costly, this is the first time in his life that he has been in coat and not all torn up during this time of year! It is working and he is absolutely stunning now!

I originally intended to show Dusty in conformation but never could because of his skin and coat. It was always unpredictable when he would flare up. One day he would be fine and the next he was a mess. Now I believe I could put him in a ring and show very positively. I've given that dream up though with him as I would never use him as a stud dog and risk passing on the allergies to his off spring.

Depending on the results of your allergy test, don't hesitate to get him on a allergy shot routine if the vet recommends it. It was the best thing I ever did for my boy! Best of Luck to you both!

[.sarah]

If they are older ceramic where the pores are getting course instead of like fired new, they are in the same category as plastic. I highly recommend you switch to stainless steel bowls because they never deteriorate and hold in bacteria. Non stainless bowls are like a very worn cutting board. They look clean but if you look under a microscope you would cringe even after washing it!

They are new, not even 6 months old, and some are brand new. And most of the time I don't use a bowl because I feed raw and just hand her the food. I only use a bowl when I need to feed organs, so I'll pick up a couple stainless for her soon.

My Golden boy, Dusty, has allergies. He was blood tested and came back confirmed to be allergic to 48 different environmental things, including Sugar Maple and Ash trees. Both of those trees make up the majority of the trees in our 3/4 acre back yard! In order for blood tests to be more accurate, the dog should be off all prednisone or topical cortizone creams and sprays for at least 6 weeks. As a precaution, I had him off all meds for the most accurate test possible. Since he was never itch free and was miserable unless there was snow on the ground, it took me almost 10 months before I could have him tested once I decided to go through with testing. When the ground was covered in snow was the only time he would be 100% clear.

I wish I had known that before we did the testing today. She had cortisone spray prescribed about a month ago and was on it for about 2 weeks. We had the blood drawn this morning though.

Over the years, I learned a lot to try to help him. First, I bought a standing booster bath so I wouldn't have to bend down all the time to bath him. That was more for me than him! Then I would rinse him off everytime he came in from outside. I use a Melaluca Anti Fungal shampoo the vet prescribed (it's wonderful and 100% better than oatmeal shampoos I tried) and would use that every other day on his paws and under belly. Basically it was the areas that were exposed the most to the ground. Every week or so he gets a complete bath! I can smell when he needs a bath as he got an odor about him from the reaction to the outside allergens. This helped some but not completely.

I have thought about bathing her more frequently too. She seems better after baths. We already have a booster bath ... isn't it wonderful?!?!

I also switched him to Innova Evo dog food which is grain free. While it was never determined he was allergic to specific foods, he did much better on a grain free food. Innova Evo is the closest thing you can feed your dog without actually going to a raw diet. Both of these things helped him immensely and I continue to do them to this day although it didn't help 100%.

All of my dogs are already on raw food

Thank you for your reply, it was very informative. I can't wait to see what the test shows. It'll be about 10 days before we get the results though.

[Undomiel]

don't allergy tests cost alot?