Dog With Allergies

Any ideas on how to help dog with allergys? He is scratching himself like crazy and making himself bleed. I took him to the vets they gave him allergy pills, but he still scratches. The only thing that works some in cortisone shots, but vet won't do those anymore, wants me to take him to expensive allergy vet, that we just can not afford. $800 just to look at dog, then more money to treat. My mother-in-law takes her dog to him, and she said it costs her a lot.

Cosmo's Mom

Answers:

Dog With Allergies

Do you know what he is allergic to? We had a dog that had allergies and through research found that corn is a major allergen in dogs. Look at your food labels, many dog foods have corn listed as the first ingredient. Try switching food to one that doesn't contain corn and give it a couple of weeks for the allergens to get out of the system. Hopefully you will see big improvements. (09/17/2007)

By Dave

Dog With Allergies

I had the same problem. To this day I'm not 100% sure what was going on but my dog had a lot of thinning hair and chewed on himself like it was his job. Anyway, I followed all of the steps for flea treatment, bomb, vacuume, bath repeat 6 weeks and of course some topical flea treatment such as Advantex.

The thing that I think made the biggest impact was the change in his diet. I switched him to an all organic food made with fish and oatmeal. It runs about 45.00 for a 52lb bag, not cheap but well worth it. My dog's hair has grown back he doesn't smell bad, never chews on himself and has less eye mucus. (09/17/2007)

By Meghan

Dog With Allergies

We have 2 bichons with terrible allergies. They weigh about 15 lbs each. We give per the vets advice 50 mg of Benadry to each dog in the morning and 50 mg of Benadry at night. It is the maximum dose allowed. We also feed only fish and rice dog food (Salmon and rice by Purina One) It is all natural and we buy it in the large bags. We watch for sales and coupons. We use human shampoo on them and human hair conditioner with a bath once a week at least. We use Frontline for fleas and ticks as they seem to have a bad time with the bites. We never give them beef in treats, scraps or any form. I believe that you can never be sure what hormone or antibiotic is given to the cows. (We don't eat beef either.) With one of our dogs he could get something with beef and within a few minutes be in a complete tizzy with itching.

This problem just about drove us and the dogs crazy until we got a handle on it. We went through buying the allergy medicine every month and getting them to take it, and also the cortisone shots. It was an expensive ordeal but we got it under control. We also give them only distilled water to drink and don't feed dog food with red dyed pellets in it. Since they are white dogs, the red dye was excreted in their saliva and their feet and mouth fur was red tinged. We got this tip from a professional groomer magazine and it really does work. Good luck with your doggie! (09/18/2007)

By Darlene Boone

Dog With Allergies

I have a 13 year old Cocker that has always had food allergies. For a long time I gave her Purina, then lamb and rice. Last year I finally found a dog food that has given me the results I have been expecting. It is called "Wysong." It is made in Michigan. The product can be checked out online and I believe ordered also if you don't have a PetSupplies Plus near you.

Wysong also has treats and canned food. Cinder is now on 'Duck Au Jus'. I have been extremely pleased and I don't give her any other dog food. Good luck with your venture. (09/19/2007)

By Judy

Dog With Allergies

Try one capsule of Fish Oil, on top of a cut up hot dog, once a week. It fixes the dry skin and the itchies from the inside out. At first, ask you vet if you can give your 'baby' some predizone to help clear up the infection, start the fish oil at the same time. (09/19/2007)

By Kit

Dog With Allergies

Get a second opinion, should be inexpensive, that would be the first thing to try. (09/19/2007)

By Kim Churchman

Dog With Allergies

My dog has allergies and was itchy even after I spent $1100 at the vet, switched her diet, etc. I did some googling, and found that Pepto-Bismol pills are very good for a dog with a minor upset stomach, so I decided to try them. She's been on them a week and she seems to have gotten a LOT better. She is also eating the Purina One for Sensitive Systems and that seems to be helping too. I've also been giving her daily fish oil all along as well. She actually likes the fish oil caps and thinks they are a treat, lol.

But before anyone gives anything to their dog, they should always check with their vet first. Please, EVERYONE, check with your vet before trying any sort of home remedy for your dog. (09/19/2007)

By Dana

Dog With Allergies

I have a lab/chow dog with extreme skin allergies. We have tried everything, including having him tested for food and plant allergies. We then gave him allergy shots for nearly two years, but it didn't help. His worst allergy is ragweed and whatever else blooms in August and September. Every year he takes Prednisone (steroid) and Hydroxizine (antihistamine). This year our vet talked with a University that specializes in dog allergies. We tried a new medicine called Temaril-P that is a mixture of a lower dose of steroid and antihistamine. He takes 2 a day along with 3 of the Hydroxizine and it has helped him a lot. We will quit giving this when everything freezes here in Wisconsin. He still itches sometimes in the winter and then we give him Benadryl, another antihistamine, cheaper and can buy over the counter. Good luck. Toby used to scratch holes in his nose and head. (09/20/2007)

By Marcie

Dog With Allergies

Put him on a an all-natural or organic food. The less ingredients, the better. Read the labels on commercial dog food, no wonder our pets are suffering from the same illnesses we are (cancer, obesity, allergies...). (09/24/2007)

By Tamak