[oldtimes]

Originally Posted by westernrider75

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.

Apoquel made my dog aggressive. She now gets a Cytopoint shot monthly and we wash her paws when she comes in from outside.

[Peachbelle]

Go online to
Pet Intolerance & Imbalances Test (Dogs & Cats) | 5Strands
You can do your allergy test at home for dogs or cats! Test is $212 but coupons exist. This test I tried on my cat and ot is very thorough.

[Lea N]

I was just thinking about Callie and remembered that I recently heard about a dog food that is supposed to be good quality. Unfortunately we are dogless right now so I can't tell you from experience. It is called Ollie and they make the food to be breed specific.

I just saw that Steban had good luck with Honest Kitchen, but I just wanted to put this out there for you in case it could help.

[waterflower]

Most homeowner spray their lawns with pesticides which are dangerous for dogs. Try not to allow your dog to be in these areas. The cancer rate is higher than other areas for dog with many health issues. There are many things to change for your dogs health.

[Lea N]

I thought of something else that you might want to check out, and then I'll give you a break with all these posts. Have you ever heard of Dr. Karen Becker? She is not in Florida. She has a lot of info about how to help your pets. I'm including a link (that I haven't watched) to a video she has on allergies - she has more than this one.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6s3DVkDhBXw

And here is one she has about the best and worst foods for your pet. I haven't watched this one either. I'm not sure if this will help but just in case you want to look at it here it is.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FZ-Srqs4kc8

[Albany]

Originally Posted by 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.

Another vote for Dr. Schwassman and Dr. Logus in Maitland. Just wonderful, Dr. Logus is a dermatologist and does ears which are considered part of the skin. Our Emma was finally cured after numerous other vets did or said one thing or another. Your dog needs a specialist. Call the Maitland practice, Veterinary Dermatology Center, 407 629-0044. Don't wait your dog is miserable.

[Cneigoot]

I second the apoquel. My dog who is half American pit and half Great Dane at 80 lb started having allergies when we moved down here two years ago. I think it is the St Augustine grass but not sure. Have been using apoquel ever since. I get it through 1-800-PetMeds. They call your vet to get a prescription and we are on autoship every month. It has helped him tremendously. Might want to give it a try before spending four or $500 on an allergy test. Good luck to you. Dogs Rule!

[Lisanp@aol.com]

It is definitely environmental. My dog starts incessantly licking and biting his paws after being here a couple of weeks and is fine again when we bring him north. The vet gave him an injection (cortisone?) which helped but I doubt it’s food. I think it might be ant bites as he has a habit of trampling every ant hill he sees?

[PLedoux]

I also recommend feeding real food. That helped a lot before I started the probiotics . I paused the real food for a few weeks while we were traveling here (snowbirds) and getting settled in, and that’s when the itching came back and I started giving her the probiotics (ordered from Amazon, based on a google search of “best probiotics for dogs with itching problems.) I am about to go back to cooking for her, especially since her Village’s vet just told her to lose 10 lbs. She loves her homemade food and I can control the calories a little better if I cook it myself.

[Pugchief]

Originally Posted by Lisanp@aol.com

It is definitely environmental. My dog starts incessantly licking and biting his paws after being here a couple of weeks and is fine again when we bring him north. The vet gave him an injection (cortisone?) which helped but I doubt it’s food. I think it might be ant bites as he has a habit of trampling every ant hill he sees?

Interesting. We have the opposite issue. Dog is fine down here from Dec-May, and no issues when we get back North in May. The problem always starts in mid Aug and is gone by mid Nov

[sallyg]

Best place is U of F Veterinary Hosp in Gainesville. You will get top notch care there.

[Fastskiguy]

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 have seen only rare cases of allergy testing and desensitization helping, so rare that I no longer recommend it because I've tired of spending big money and a year of effort for no results. I also see many dogs on hypoallergenic diets that are still itchy. Antihistamines are effective in less than 10% of cases. What I see work are:

-apoquel
-cytopoint
-prednisone
-and some of the skin support diets like Hill's Derm Defense and Royal Canin Skin Support can help reduce the meds...but usually not replace them

Note: Apoquel and Cytopoint will fail every time if there is infection present so it's important to be positively sure any infection (bacterial, yeast, and/or mites) is treated.

Allergy testing and desensitization is very safe so if you're feeling lucky it's worth a shot. Trying different diets is worth a try to...you have to feed your dog something, right? Maybe you'll get lucky and find something that works. Veterinary dermatologists can be a fantastic help with tough cases.

Allergies are super frustrating for pets and doctors alike so you are definitely not alone! I hope your pet can get some relief soon

Joe
doodlevet.com