[CFrance]

Our dog had terrible contact allergies. he would be licking and scratching. It got worse during high pollen seasons. He would also get lots of hot spots and skin eruptions on his chest and underside. He had so little hair in his groin area you could see all the skin. Eruptions there too.

We and our vet tried everything. Antibiotics and steroids would clear things up, but then the condition would come back, several times a year. You can't keep a dog on steroids like that, and the antibiotics alone didn't help.

I gave in and finally spend the $1K to take him over to AVS in Maitland and have him tested for allergies and a vaccine developed. (My vet referred him.) After three months, I couldn't believe the difference. He hasn't had a hot spot in over a year, has stopped licking and scratching, and his hair is so lush again you cannot see the skin anywhere.

I give him one shot a week. He can be on these for life with no harmful side effects. I so wish I had done this when he was two.

Some people pooh-pooh these allergy shots, and they apparently don't work in about 30% of dogs, but our guy was so miserable I had to give it a try.

AVS stands for Affiliated Veterinarian Services, and the derm vet we used is Dr. Wassaman. She is fantastic with dogs. Crosby loooooooooooooves her.