If Your Dog Has Allergies...

How early on did you realize they had them and how were you able to confirm that they do have allergies? I think Arnold may have allergies. He scratches himself ALOT to the point that he's biting himself and once it appeared that he made himself bleed.

I've checked the areas he's biting and the skin doesn't seem irritated or dry but nonetheless, it seems like he's scratching an awful lot.

Any suggestions?
Thanks!!

Message edited 2/5/2008 2:57:31 PM.

Re: If Your Dog Has Allergies...

Dottie is allergic to corn. She was doing a lot of scratching and paw biting.

I did a lot of research and found that her breed is prone to seasonal and food allergies (corn). So before going the Vet route (tests, shots, etc), I changed her food and snacks.
I also stopped bathing her so much and changed the shampoo I used to an aloe and oatmeal based one.
In addition, I started giving her an Omega-3 fish oil supplement every day. It helps keep their coat and skin moisturized.

She's a new woman!!

I've also read that a lot of dogs have wheat allergies (like humans). Not sure if you want to try a new food so soon, but it may be that. It may also be products you are using in the house, like carpet cleaners, detergents, etc.

Good Luck!!

Message edited 2/5/2008 3:14:40 PM.

Re: If Your Dog Has Allergies...

When we give Cooper a bath, we use special shampoo that we got from the vet (I can't remember the name of it, but if you want the name let me kow and I can check when I get home).

Also, when his skin looks really irritated and he's itching like crazy, we give him a half tab of Benadryl and it works like a charm.

Re: If Your Dog Has Allergies...

My cat has seasonal allergies, like his mama, and when he starts going crazy like that the vet gives him a cortizone shot.

Re: If Your Dog Has Allergies...

Cody was a little over a year. Last fall he was fine. This fall he started scratching alot and chewing on his paws, and then spots started popping up on his back. We are still trying to figure out if its really allergies. The vet said we have to wait and see.

Re: If Your Dog Has Allergies...

I would stay away from high allergy foods, if possible. Wheat and corn are the biggest offenders in my experience.

Re: If Your Dog Has Allergies...

We realized when she was about 6 months old that Mika has allergies when she started scratching all over and biting at her paws. Then it went away for a while and came back in the fall, as though they were seasonal allergies. But then they never went away and that was a little over a year ago now.

We've tried changing her food, giving her special prescription food, bathing her less, bathing her more, bathing her with special shampoos, giving her supplements, spraying anti-itch stuff from the vet on her paws, etc. Nothing is working. The only thing that does help is cortisone shots - they wear off after about a month, and the vet won't give them to her anymore.

At this point, we're still experimenting with foods, and the only thing we haven't tried yet is taking her to a doggie dermatologist. That's the next step. They charge a couple hundred dollars for one appointment to screen her and find out what exactly she's allergic to.

Re: If Your Dog Has Allergies...

When we got our pup (at 3 months) he would scratch A LOT, to the point of losing hair (he had a bald patch on his eyebrow for a month! )

Our vet diagnosed him as allergic and put him on Eukeneuba Puppy lamb and rice formula (no wheat). Now that he is one year, we've switched him over to to the adult sensitive skin formula (seafood for doggies!)

We also have a hypo-allergenic shampoo and oatmeal lotion that we use on him.

The end result is that he has the shiniest, healthiest coat ever!

Re: If Your Dog Has Allergies...

Hmmm... I'm thinking when we take him for the rest of his shots, I may have to mention this to the doc and see if we should change his food. I'm just concerned b/c it seems like he was fine in the shelter but as soon as we got him home the scratching began.

Maybe changing his food will help...

Re: If Your Dog Has Allergies...

Posted by Jennie0898

Hmmm... I'm thinking when we take him for the rest of his shots, I may have to mention this to the doc and see if we should change his food. I'm just concerned b/c it seems like he was fine in the shelter but as soon as we got him home the scratching began.

Maybe changing his food will help...

Re: If Your Dog Has Allergies...

Posted by MsMBV

Posted by Jennie0898

Hmmm... I'm thinking when we take him for the rest of his shots, I may have to mention this to the doc and see if we should change his food. I'm just concerned b/c it seems like he was fine in the shelter but as soon as we got him home the scratching began.

Maybe changing his food will help...

Definitely talk to the vet. He might have an allergy to something in the house.

Re: If Your Dog Has Allergies...

Jennie--mention it to the Dr. but I think that the adjustment to your house from the shelter could be the issue. His environment has changed. It's stressful, even though he went to such a loving family. I just have a feeling it will go away on its own. I hope I am right. I have a liquid that is supposed to treat "Hot Spots" in dogs. It seems to relieve itching.