[ajdeck]

Since coming down from up north, our Goldendoole has had sever itching problems. We have taken her to some vets and they gave shots. But it only last for few weeks at best and then we start over. Now she also gets the runs when we she gets the shots or med for these things.

Can anyone tell me if their dog has had the same reaction since coming to Florida and if so what seems to work for your dog.

Thanks so much (need help,

aj

[pili]

There must be something in the air. Our baby used to have allergies in Chicago but they would go away after freeze. Since we moved here his allergies are year round. The vet put him on pills (weaker than ones he used to take in Chicago). He does not need them all the time. Sometimes is a couple of days a week, sometimes every other day, a few days last fall every day. I've talked to other dog owners whose dogs also have allergies. Our dog is a Shih Tzu and I know they are prone to allergies.

Pili

[dillywho]

When we moved here 5 years ago, our two Shih Tzu's started itching like crazy. Our vet just said to give them Benadryl twice a day (1/2 tab). (We lost one of our babies 2 years ago at 16 and our other one is almost 17 now.) He still gets his Benadryl and it works great.....no more itching problems. I just buy the generic brand.. works the same. Lots cheaper than prescription stuff, too.

[Halle]

Originally Posted by dillywho

When we moved here 5 years ago, our two Shih Tzu's started itching like crazy. Our vet just said to give them Benadryl twice a day (1/2 tab). (We lost one of our babies 2 years ago at 16 and our other one is almost 17 now.) He still gets his Benadryl and it works great.....no more itching problems. I just buy the generic brand.. works the same. Lots cheaper than prescription stuff, too.

Dillywho you beat me to it!

I was going to suggest Benadryl also, we lived in Florida for 11 years and our Golden had allergies we gave her Benadryl and she was just fine.

Hope it works for your Goldendoodle AJ.

[ajdeck]

Want to thank everyone for their advice, hope something works for her, she's a great dog and hate to see her uncomfortable all the time.

aj

[SUNNYMARYANN]

when we lived on the gulf coast in the panhandle our Cavalier King Charles spaniel had hot spots and a real skin problem with itching. The shots work but are hard on the vital organs. We used Benedryl and I gave him baths with epsom salts in the water and that helped quite a bit. There is also cortizone cream that stops itching. Regular people stuff.

The two Cavaliers that we have now in Louisiana dont have the itch problem but I imagine that after we are moved into TV they could start up with the skin irritations and allergies. We will then start the baths and benedryl program for them.

You can also get a numbing spray to put on those hot spots. I hope you can find a method to make your pup comfortable.

[katezbox]

Our golden retriever in Connecticut used to get itches and hot spots. We used a tea-tree oil spray that really worked. We did not want to use cortisone shots as they have so many negative aspects.

Just be sure that you only use the spray on dogs - it is harmful to cats.

[Freeda]

The best thing you can do for dog with itching, hot spots, or other signs of allergies (a synonym for a weak immune system) is to give them an antioxidant/mineral, plus bioflavanoids from grape seed extract, plus essential fatty acids, the simplest form of which is fish oil capsules; or flaxseed oil. If you give them enough, they will be healthy and will not have these problems. An expense - yes, but not anything like the expense (and the cost in misery to your dog) that results from your dog being unhealthy. The amount that they need is the amount that produces a result; it will vary with their size and extent of immune system disfunction; over time they will improve and you will need less supplements for them. Unfortunately, the amount of pesticides and other chemical exposures in Florida is often more than a dog's immune system can compensate for without being boosted. Allergy shots (and medicine) are archaic and are not the answer, as they are not dealing with the underlying problem.

Just make sure that you buy pharmaceutical grade products that are labeled as such (or has labeling that says 'USP' - United States Pharmacopoeia - standards are complied with, which means the same thing). Otherwise you have no idea what you are paying for and giving your dog, regardless of what the label says, since the labeling for nutritionals is not regulated in the U.S. (not for nutritional supplements for animals, nor for humans). Your vet (just like your physician) will almost for sure not be aware of this information; and the labeling issues explained above will almost for sure apply to any supplement your veterinarian will sell you; because this information on quality issues for supplements is generally not taught in veterinary (nor medical) schools; the curriculum for which is largely generated directly or indirectly by the pharmaceutical industry, which has no interest in pets - or humans - not needing pharmaceutical drugs and the like.

It's one of the reasons why we have so many unhealthy (since allergies, by definition, are a sign of an unhealthy, deficient immune system) pets - and humans; many of whom are taking mislabeled - because they are not pharmaceutical grade - supplements, without getting results. That is the problem with allergies - they are so prevalent that we have come to accept them as a variation of normal, and to look only for treatment of the symptoms, rather than recogizing them for what they are - a sign that the health of the dog (or human) is beginning to fail for lack of nutrients.

[mfp509]

A woman I know has a Westie who had severe skin problems and practically no hair. She and the vets had tried everything and nothing worked. Another friend of mine in CT had been given Atopica for her dog after yrs of problems and she called it the miracle drug. I suggested this to the woman with the Westie - she couldn't believe the difference. The dog now can sit still and has gotten hair back. Might be worth talking to the vet about. Total turn around. I think Atopica is a capsule you open and put in the food according to weight of the dog.

[GrayGoose]

Try a purer dog food.... A Lamb based dry or wet food.. NATURAL BALANCE... 100% PURE NO ADDITIVES .. RELLY MAKE A DIFFERENCE.. @ PETCO

[KathieI]

I agree with GrayGoose, my schnauzers can have very bad allergies and we have finally realized it has a lot to do with food. I have been feeding my dogs prescription food from the vet for at least 10-15 years and it has kept their scratching to a min or at all. We had to find the right combination of foods to combat their allergies. Currently, the boys are on venison & potato which has been very successful. Coming from a dry desert area, they were very prone to dry skin and coats. This food has been wonderful.

[nONIE]

Kath, what brand name is the venison and potato food? do the dogs seem to like it? I assume its dry kibble.

[KathieI]

Nonie, its Royal Canin and yes, its dry kibble. Only sold through vets.

[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by nONIE

Kath, what brand name is the venison and potato food? do the dogs seem to like it? I assume its dry kibble.

Nonie, I know how you feel about eating veal. You do realize that venison is ground up Bambi?

[chuckinca]

Bare ! ! !

Nonie - she didn't mean to mention veal.