Seasonal allergy thread! Who's got a dog that's scratching and biting??

My poor Brinkley is pulling his hair out, biting and scratching. It's just been for the last week and we have an appointment tonight at the vet.

He has always had skin challenges, dandruff and dry skin in the winter. We add fish oil pills and vitamin e to his food and feed him a fish based, grain free food to keep down on any other possible allergens.

But in spring and fall with the change in season, we go through this. Does anyone have something they put on their animals or give them that actually helps? I know it's temporary but I feel bad for my little guy.

Re: Seasonal allergy thread! Who's got a dog that's scratching and biting??

I don't know but I'm anxious for answers, too. My poor guy has been to the vet twice in the past month and he's still just suffering so badly.

Re: Seasonal allergy thread! Who's got a dog that's scratching and biting??

This must be a bad allergy season. Both my dogs have been itching - one has known allergies and is actually on meds year-round to keep them under control, but the other dog doesn't and this much itching is unusual for him.

Our vet has recommended Benadryl in the past, or prescribed Prednisone or given a cortisone shot. All have worked to varying degrees to provide relief until the reaction to the allergens starts to fade away.

Good luck, hope your vet is able to help! It's so hard when we see our pets suffering and feel helpless to do anything to make it better.

Seasonal allergy thread! Who's got a dog that's scratching and biting??

it's been very bad for my dog. He's been biting and licking his paws for a while now. The vet gave us a great spray that works very well. We also try to wipe down his paws with a wet washcloth.

Re: Seasonal allergy thread! Who's got a dog that's scratching and biting??

my lab is constantly licking and bitting his feet...its starts every year in september and goes through november...the only thing that works for him is prednisone, but the down side of it is it makes him pee alot...so of course i started giving it to him about three weeks ago and he stopped bitting within a day but he also peed on my brand new rug i just put down in the nursery for my little girl on the way...but he isnt itchy anymore...lol

Re: Seasonal allergy thread! Who's got a dog that's scratching and biting??

Both of mine are itching. The little one will roll around on the floor trying to itch herself.

Re: Seasonal allergy thread! Who's got a dog that's scratching and biting??

So they gave us Prednisone pills and a topical treatment (forget the name & it's at home right now) to use on the worst spots. Which are under his front legs and the back of his back legs. Obviously, we don't want him licking it though so we might have to comfy cone him if it gets bad.

We gave him the first pill this morning and he's been sleeping a lot. I'm reading that it can cause diarrhea, lethargy, and excessive thirst/hunger (which leads to more peeing).

I wasn't thrilled that he got 2 immunizations at the same time, because I always look for reactions to that and won't know which is causing problems if he has any, but so far he's just tired.

Our vet said that he's been seeing more allergy affects this year than last, and that it may be due to the mild winter last year leading to a pretty robust season for all the plants and trees. Either way, looks like this might help us until it gets really cold.

I hope all your animals find relief too.

Re: Seasonal allergy thread! Who's got a dog that's scratching and biting??

kane always get them bad. his feet are all red and scabby, he keeps biting them. also scratching and his ears get bad. I just try and help him along. If his feet are really bad i put him in the tub with some cool water, seems to help. Also always cleaning his ears and meds in them. At night i give him some benadryl, helps him get a good night sleep.

Re: Seasonal allergy thread! Who's got a dog that's scratching and biting??

That's what our boy was on, too. What a difference it made- though it's true he was peeing like CRAZY. But as soon as he finished the pills, he was back to suffering.

Re: Seasonal allergy thread! Who's got a dog that's scratching and biting??

If this happened more than just fall and spring for a few weeks, I'd get full allergy testing done. Sometimes the source is as simple as a grain product in their food and sometimes it's something unavoidable like grass or carpet fibers. But I think it's better to know, because then you may have options on how to treat it.

He slept a lot yesterday. I think once his hair grows back, we are going to start cutting back and see if the ointment helps without the pills. Like you said, once he's done with the pills, he'll be right back to scratching. I don't have enough pills to last until the end of the fall foliage season and don't want to keep them on it for that long anyway.

Re: Seasonal allergy thread! Who's got a dog that's scratching and biting??

My poor girl always has bad seasonal allergies too, but we give her Zyrtec and it does help a lot! Our vet says you can give dogs benedryl or Zyrtec for allergies.

Re: Seasonal allergy thread! Who's got a dog that's scratching and biting??

I was just going to post something like this. My golden has been freaking out since June. Scratching until he bleeds. Scabs everywhere. We had him on antibiotics and steroids when he had an ear infection and things all together seemed to get better. Hes off them now and itching CONSTANTLY and has open wounds again. Ive been spraying betadine on it from the vet, using a wash the vet gave me. But how do I PREVENT to scratching and itchiness!!!! Were both going crazy bc of it!

Re: Seasonal allergy thread! Who's got a dog that's scratching and biting??

Everyone who has itching dogs...check for fleas. It is that time of year unfortunately. Check them really really well!

Re: Seasonal allergy thread! Who's got a dog that's scratching and biting??

I am on this too.. I took lola for a shot.. she is still biting her paws and itching also .. Has sores all over her belly.. Thank God no ear infections this year.. I just thonk one shot will help through her itching and biting got less.. Has anyone tried an allergy shot?

Re: Seasonal allergy thread! Who's got a dog that's scratching and biting??

Haven't tried shots, but now that Brinkley is 7+ days off the prednisone, he's scratching again. Although, not as badly as before.

Once Brinkley's ear infection and wobbling stop, I think I'm going to take the PP's advice about Zyrtec or Benadryl. Just a teeny bit until the symptoms lessen, but not enough to knock him out.