[cricket1001]

I have the best punkin, a Morkie, 5lbs, 7.5 years old, but she has such a bad problem with itching and scratching and licking her paws. I’ve taken her to a vet who gave her some medicine that only partially helped and as soon as the medicine was gone she was back at it. I’ve stopped giving her chicken, then beef, I now have her on Primal Freeze Dried Venison. Vet also prescribed special shampoo and special spray but that isn’t helping. I’m at my wit’s end. I’ve been told to get her tested for allergies. That costs I believe around $4-500 but that is ok. But I want to make sure it is done by a reputable vet that I can trust. I have taken her to Country Oaks but she sees a different vet every time she goes and they tell me different things.

I also was told to take her to this animal hospital, I don’t remember the name of it. If anyone knows where “The Dog House” groomers are, you go south past there place until the next light, take a right and I’m sorry I don’t remember the rest. But I was told I could get my Callie allergy tested there.

I also have been told to take her to Gainesville to the UofF Vet School, that they are the best. I’ve tried putting powdered pro & pre-biotics on her food but she won’t eat her food. She is a very picky eater. Any advice would be very appreciated!!!

Oh, if y’all could add phone numbers, or addresses, or websites that would help a lot!!

[villagetinker]

Try calling Dr. Porter, Animal Care Center Of Wildwood - Veterinarian in Wildwood, FL, (352) 748-6348, and as him your questions, he is located on route 301 just south of the Wildwood municipal building in the shopping center. We have used him for 10 years with our cats, but i see more dogs there than cats.

[Pugchief]

Look into Apoquel. It's a miracle drug for dogs with itching.

[PugMom]

Originally Posted by villagetinker

Try calling Dr. Porter, Animal Care Center Of Wildwood - Veterinarian in Wildwood, FL, (352) 748-6348, and as him your questions, he is located on route 301 just south of the Wildwood municipal building in the shopping center. We have used him for 10 years with our cats, but i see more dogs there than cats.

dittos. he prescribed an allergy med for our Lily, Apoquel. we were also given a shampoo & told to use weekly. the meds will stop working if they are discontinued. it's an ongoing issue.

[thelegges]

Daughter takes in rescues, and skin issues is number one issue next to teaching them to walk since most never saw outside of a cage.

She makes her own dog food, many recipes on Pinterest. While not the perfect cure it improves their skin by 80%

[CFrance]

Our second Golden was extremely allergic. While apoquel would relieve symptoms, you aren't supposed to keep dogs on it permanently. At age 7, his chest looked like he had measles, there were so many hot spots. Antibiotics, cytopoint shots, apoquel, you name it--the symptoms always returned. He was miserable, and we were at our wits' end. Finally, at our vet's suggestion we took him to a derm vet in Maitland (itchypetvet.com--I can't remember the exact name, and it split off from the parent company).

They tested him, and out of 50 trees, weeds, grasses, etc., he was allergic to 47. They took a dozen of those he reacted most severely to and made up a vaccine, which we gave him though a shot in loose fur (he never felt it) once a week. It wasn't cheap. The testing and first vial of vaccine came to $1K. Subsequent vials of vaccine were a couple hundred dollars. They lasted six months. A yearly checkup was required.

For the next 7-1/2 years till he passed away, he never had another allergic reaction. It was well worth the expense, and we never regretted it. He loved the derm vet, Dr. Schwassmann. He happily would have abandoned us and gone home with her.

[Plinker]

This problem can be particularly frustrating for clients and their pets as there are numerous causes of itchy (pruritus) skin. The secondary damage to the skin can be substantial due to persistent scratching and the discomfort can be unrelenting. For cases that are refractory to common therapies, I suggest it would be appropriate to schedule an appointment with a board-certified veterinary dermatologist. The UF Veterinary Hospital in Gainesville will have these specialists on staff.
Many people may be unaware that the veterinary profession has a very similar board certification process as physicians. The certification requires several years of post-doctorate training and a rigorous exam. A veterinarian can become board-certified in cardiology, surgery, internal medicine, ophthalmology, dentistry, neurology and many more.

Skin testing utilizing a host of potential allergens and hyposensitization injections can offer substantial relief. The key is to get an accurate diagnosis.

Plinker, DVM

[Pugchief]

Originally Posted by PugMom

dittos. he prescribed an allergy med for our Lily, Apoquel. we were also given a shampoo & told to use weekly. the meds will stop working if they are discontinued. it's an ongoing issue.

It depends what type of allergy. My dog only has issues from late August to early Nov (some UpNorth environmental allergy), and thus she is only on the Apoquel during that time. It always recurs each year, and the Apoquel always controls it.

Also, thanks to Dr Plinker for chiming in.

[asalesky]

I have a 30 lb mini Australian Labradoodle who would break out in hot spots and lick his paws raw. I took him to a UF vet school allergist who diagnosed Sparky with allergies to beef and chicken. He cannot have any food products produced from cows including dairy (ice cream, cheese, and beef). He also cannot have anything coming from chickens or foul, including eggs. We have to avoid all dog food items made with egg powder (chews and snacks).

The UF vet prescribed Royal Canin dry food (venison and potato or white fish and potato). He takes 1/2 Apoquel every other day for seasonal allergies. Hope this helps.

[Steban]

Originally Posted by cricket1001

I have the best punkin, a Morkie, 5lbs, 7.5 years old, but she has such a bad problem with itching and scratching and licking her paws. I’ve taken her to a vet who gave her some medicine that only partially helped and as soon as the medicine was gone she was back at it. I’ve stopped giving her chicken, then beef, I now have her on Primal Freeze Dried Venison. Vet also prescribed special shampoo and special spray but that isn’t helping. I’m at my wit’s end. I’ve been told to get her tested for allergies. That costs I believe around $4-500 but that is ok. But I want to make sure it is done by a reputable vet that I can trust. I have taken her to Country Oaks but she sees a different vet every time she goes and they tell me different things.

I also was told to take her to this animal hospital, I don’t remember the name of it. If anyone knows where “The Dog House” groomers are, you go south past there place until the next light, take a right and I’m sorry I don’t remember the rest. But I was told I could get my Callie allergy tested there.

I also have been told to take her to Gainesville to the UofF Vet School, that they are the best. I’ve tried putting powdered pro & pre-biotics on her food but she won’t eat her food. She is a very picky eater. Any advice would be very appreciated!!!

Oh, if y’all could add phone numbers, or addresses, or websites that would help a lot!!

My dog had the same issues and we spent a fortune on allergy testing and shots. Nothing worked until …

Feeding him Honest Kitchen dehydrated food reconstituted with home made chicken broth. We top it with chicken and things like carrots, sweet potatoes, green beans and leafy vegetables make a delicious doggy stew.

Dog food is made with reclaimed proteins. Google it. Would you eat it?

[Lea N]

Originally Posted by cricket1001

I have the best punkin, a Morkie, 5lbs, 7.5 years old, but she has such a bad problem with itching and scratching and licking her paws. I’ve taken her to a vet who gave her some medicine that only partially helped and as soon as the medicine was gone she was back at it. I’ve stopped giving her chicken, then beef, I now have her on Primal Freeze Dried Venison. Vet also prescribed special shampoo and special spray but that isn’t helping. I’m at my wit’s end. I’ve been told to get her tested for allergies. That costs I believe around $4-500 but that is ok. But I want to make sure it is done by a reputable vet that I can trust. I have taken her to Country Oaks but she sees a different vet every time she goes and they tell me different things.

I also was told to take her to this animal hospital, I don’t remember the name of it. If anyone knows where “The Dog House” groomers are, you go south past there place until the next light, take a right and I’m sorry I don’t remember the rest. But I was told I could get my Callie allergy tested there.

I also have been told to take her to Gainesville to the UofF Vet School, that they are the best. I’ve tried putting powdered pro & pre-biotics on her food but she won’t eat her food. She is a very picky eater. Any advice would be very appreciated!!!

Oh, if y’all could add phone numbers, or addresses, or websites that would help a lot!!

I'm sorry that your Callie is going through this.

A long time ago we had a German Shepherd whose allergies were so bad. Her ears would turn pink, her belly would turn almost red, the sides of her nose would bleed and her legs were red. At that time the vet told us they could run tests but weren't sure they could find out what she was allergic to. He said to give her Benadryl which hardly helped and made her drowsy.

Whatever she was allergic to was not food but something outside. Her allergies were awful during the summer and got a bit better in the winter months. But never went away completely. My heart ached for her.

I just happened to bring our other dog to a homeopathic/traditional vet to get a second opinion on a health issue, and while we were talking I mentioned Sassy's allergies. This vet gave me a list of things to try to help her. In addition my husband went on line and searched for remedy's to help our sweet girl.

Here's what I remember that worked:

1. Every time she came inside we wiped off her ears, face, legs and paws to get the allergens off her.

2. The vet gave us a special shampoo to use for her for skin and I'm sorry I don't remember what it was. We also bought organic shampoo for her that was gentle. There is controversy as to how often to bath a dog who has allergies. Some say to do it every week, others say once a month. We opted for every week and 3 times a week I hosed her off with water only.

3. I brushed her every morning and evening. She loved it and it became our special time together.

4. I cleaned the floors daily. Either vacuumed or swiffered them (we had no carpeting.) I washed them at least every other day.

We had an aloe plant growing outside. I would cut off a piece and put it in the fridge. I cut it in half length wise and would rub it on her belly every so often. She loved when I did this and I imagine it felt better but am not sure how much it really helped or if it was just everything combined.

All of this together made a tremendous difference to our sweet girl. Finally she was able to go outside and enjoy the fresh air more often.

I hope this helps and wish you the best with your Callie.

[westernrider75]

Originally Posted by Pugchief

Look into Apoquel. It's a miracle drug for dogs with itching.

Just beware, Apoquel has side effects. Make sure you do your research and check out side effects from manufacturers after drug release. My dog has been on it for several years and I just recently found this info.

[KatieBon]

I imagine all the pesticides constantly sprayed around TV and golf courses aren't helping the situation.

Originally Posted by cricket1001

I have the best punkin, a Morkie, 5lbs, 7.5 years old, but she has such a bad problem with itching and scratching and licking her paws. I’ve taken her to a vet who gave her some medicine that only partially helped and as soon as the medicine was gone she was back at it. I’ve stopped giving her chicken, then beef, I now have her on Primal Freeze Dried Venison. Vet also prescribed special shampoo and special spray but that isn’t helping. I’m at my wit’s end. I’ve been told to get her tested for allergies. That costs I believe around $4-500 but that is ok. But I want to make sure it is done by a reputable vet that I can trust. I have taken her to Country Oaks but she sees a different vet every time she goes and they tell me different things.

I also was told to take her to this animal hospital, I don’t remember the name of it. If anyone knows where “The Dog House” groomers are, you go south past there place until the next light, take a right and I’m sorry I don’t remember the rest. But I was told I could get my Callie allergy tested there.

I also have been told to take her to Gainesville to the UofF Vet School, that they are the best. I’ve tried putting powdered pro & pre-biotics on her food but she won’t eat her food. She is a very picky eater. Any advice would be very appreciated!!!

Oh, if y’all could add phone numbers, or addresses, or websites that would help a lot!!

[airstreamingypsy]

Apoquel is not a benign drug, a Cytopoint shot is a much better option. If I didn't have an 80 pound dog, I would feed real food, like the Farmer's Dog. It's fresh and gets shipped to you. I adopted a dog with much the same problems, and brought him to University of Tennessee Vet school.... after all the tests it turned out he had a staph infection on his skin and a yeast infection in his ears. He went on an antibiotic called Simplicef for a month and ear meds and baths twice a week in special shampoo. The problem was food allergies...... feed your dog real food......

[Miboater]

Our dog has allergies and the vet prescribed Apoquel. It worked for her allergies but she developed mast cell cancer about a year later. The vet said it may be from the Apoquel as it suppresses their immune system. We had the tumors cut out and switched her to the Cytopoint shots. Two years later she is doing fine with no return of the cancer and her allergies are under control.