More Allergy Woes....

NHIceGSD · 08-02-2007, 05:40 PM

I am officially at wits end with this poor dog. Seriously... we have tried everything at this point... and he was doing great since about November. Now, for the past 2 weeks... the itching has begun again. We've had him to 3 vets, one being an allergist at Tufts in the Boston area, and everybody is stumped. We've tested him for everything under the sun, no lupus, no fungus, no bacterial infection.... no fleas, ticks or mites. He's on a venison and sweet potato diet, fish oil and probiotics, no treats. We even use non-scented baby detergent for EVERYTHING in our home in case he's sensitive to that, and he gets baths at least twice a week. Literally thousands of dollars, all kinds of treatments, tests and lab work.... still no ansewer. It's not to the point yet where there is a quality of life issue, he still eats like a horse, loves to go for walks and belly rubs, plus he's still quite young, so I'm not at the euthanasia point yet, but what else can I do? Any miracle cures out there for a dog that is allergic to everything.... but not really allergic to anything?

Jadesmygirl · 08-03-2007, 12:08 AM

Oh my, what a horrible situation for you and the poor dog! I am so sorry! I wish I could help-hopefully someone will see this that can offer some solution.

Jadesmygirl · 08-03-2007, 12:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jadesmygirl

Oh my, what a horrible situation for you and the poor dog! I am so sorry! I wish I could help-hopefully someone will see this that can offer some solution.

ETA After rereading your post, I had the thought that maybe less frequent bathing might help?? Unless of course your vet has instructed you to do as you are. My vet and groomer have always recommended baths no more than once a month-or less?? Just a thought!

Good luck though! Keep us posted-what breed is he??

ETA Sorry-I must have hit the quote button instead of the edit button!

How silly does that look??

NHIceGSD · 08-03-2007, 09:42 AM

He's a big ol' 125 lb German Shep! He was rescued out of a dumpster as a pup... and we're not sure if it was an injury, malnurishment, or just horrendous breeding (my money is on that one...) but his ears never really stand up right, unless he's laying on his side.. then they're perfect! I also think that there may be a little somthin' somethin' in his bloodlines that's not 100% GSD as I can see a bit of rottie in him at times.

As far as the baths go, I've had that concern myself, he's itchy enough as it is, I don't want to go and totally dry him out, and I know how important natural oils are to any animals skin and coat. We did go a month w/out the tubbies, and he started getting itchy again. I just feel horrible, all of my animals are usually sleek, gleaming picture of health and happiness.. and then people see this guy and think he's being abused! It just breaks my heart everytime I look at him.

thumpersgirl · 08-03-2007, 09:50 AM

Okay, you might think I'm nuts here...could he just have dry skin or OCD? I have a female beagle that will scratch until there is no tomorrow. Had her to the vet several times to see what's wrong. In her case, it's OCD. She just has to do it sometimes. She's an odd one! My male beagle was scratching a bit for awhile too and the vet said he had dry skin. We added a little bit of oil to his dog food and the scratching stopped. Not sure if either of those help you out at all.

oveywon · 08-03-2007, 11:07 AM

.....

Jadesmygirl · 08-03-2007, 12:20 PM

I keep thinking about your dog. (What?? No Komondor, puli or even Viszla??

)

Along the same lines as thumpersgirl mentioned, it occurred to me that perhaps this could be a symptom of anxiety??

I was once on a medication that I had to stop abrubtly, causing fairly intense anxiety attacks. One of the many unpleasant symptoms was a general itchiness that scratching would not relieve.

After suggesting this twice in two days, I feel like a drug pusher. But, perhaps one of the herbal calming agents might help?? If it even seems like something that might make sense, maybe talk to your vet about it first?? Because I only slept at a Holiday Inn last night.

I am really sorry for you and your dog. We had a wonderful, sweet labmix who suffered chronic allergies/ear infections. I know how hard it was to watch and feel helpless while you try and retry everything under the sun to help. And just when you think something is working-voila, the symptoms come back. In spite of it all, he lived to be thirteen, and was a remarkably happy dog!

NHIceGSD · 08-07-2007, 09:28 AM

First of all, are you suggesting that a poorly bred German Shepard may have some sort of anxiety issue? I'm shocked.

and no... No Kommodor or Viszla, what kind of Hungarian am I???

We have had the allergy tests run, and he came allergic to all of the common envoirmental allergies, but here's the kicker. We tried him on a Benadryl type antihistamine with no results expect for a sleepy pup. Back to the vet, who said that some dogs (like people) just don't do well with that grouping of drugs. So we tried another, and another. Nothing.

Ok, maybe food allergies? He's been on all natural food since we got him, but it was beef and rice based. We then spent a year going through the elimination diet. AGAIN... helped a bit, but no magic bullet. Vet said, ok... bathe him every few days. We have a 100 year old house that we're restoring, so maybe it's a contact allergy. The baths help a bit.... but just a bit. Then the vet said, ok.... the bigs guns are being pulled out. He started getting steroid injections, huge doses of antibiotics and he also went through the Ivermectin shots in case it was mange ( we've had him scraped a million times.... nothing) but again, the vet just wanted to be sure. Now, please keep in mind that this was over a 4-5 month period. I didn't hit him with all of this at once! Like magic... something worked.... and then... as quickley as it ended... it's started up again.

I'm the biggest fan of rescue remedy out there. My whole family has their own little bottle, and he does get it regularly, but I'm thinking that maybe we should try something else. After reading your post, I called my vet and we're going in again on Thursday to put him on some sort of mild sedative. If this doesn't end soon... I'm going to need a sedative as well!

crittermom · 08-07-2007, 09:45 AM

Poor guy---when I looked at him, I thought of myself. Right now I itch all over (chiggers) and my left eye is partially swollen shut (I have no idea why). I was going to suggest antihistamines and even antibiotics---but it looks like you have been there and done that too. Don't give up on him.....something is bound to help sooner or later.

Jadesmygirl · 08-07-2007, 09:51 AM

I can hear your frustration. As I said, I really do understand, having gone through the same thing with my lab mix-except his symptoms did not constantly show as a nagging reminder or for all the world to see and question! So, I am sure in that respect it is even harder for you.

I hope the sedative works. If not the sedative, I hope you find something that works, for your sake as well as his! I really feel for you you both..

Keep us posted??

oveywon · 08-07-2007, 11:10 AM

[.....

sundancer maiden · 08-07-2007, 11:23 AM

I have a rescue horse with severe allergies to chiggers and gnats. I know that there is a lot of controversy about garlic, but this is my personal experience. All my horses and my old dog (now dead from old age) have been on garlic, during the summer, for years. That stuff makes a big difference here. I hardly use fly sprays at all.
That's one part, the dog and the rescue horse also get spirulina. The poor horse use to get welts all over his front end, the back wasn't nearly as bad. The horse still has scars on his face. Now he is sleek and shiny, maybe a tiny bump here and there (can't see them if not looking closely).
Talk to your vet. If you opt out of the garlic, I don't blame you, it can be a hot topic. But I would really recomend trying the spirunila, it is ALL natural. Check it out on www.springtimeinc.com . Springtime is the only company I have delt with, so I know nothing about any others, but I have purchased everything from them for several years and have never had a problem with them or their products.

farmergal · 08-07-2007, 01:44 PM

The only help I can offer is I feel his pain and yours. I've been fallowing your thread squeezing my brain. (you don't want to see the mess.

) Nothing!

Sorry

Wish I had something to offer that would help. I know it's not much but how about a (((hug)))

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08-02-2007, 05:40 PM
NHIceGSD Yearling Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 819	More Allergy Woes.... I am officially at wits end with this poor dog. Seriously... we have tried everything at this point... and he was doing great since about November. Now, for the past 2 weeks... the itching has begun again. We've had him to 3 vets, one being an allergist at Tufts in the Boston area, and everybody is stumped. We've tested him for everything under the sun, no lupus, no fungus, no bacterial infection.... no fleas, ticks or mites. He's on a venison and sweet potato diet, fish oil and probiotics, no treats. We even use non-scented baby detergent for EVERYTHING in our home in case he's sensitive to that, and he gets baths at least twice a week. Literally thousands of dollars, all kinds of treatments, tests and lab work.... still no ansewer. It's not to the point yet where there is a quality of life issue, he still eats like a horse, loves to go for walks and belly rubs, plus he's still quite young, so I'm not at the euthanasia point yet, but what else can I do? Any miracle cures out there for a dog that is allergic to everything.... but not really allergic to anything? __________________ Be Something You Love and Understand~ Lynard Skynard

08-03-2007, 12:08 AM
Jadesmygirl Started Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Minnesota Posts: 2,544	Oh my, what a horrible situation for you and the poor dog! I am so sorry! I wish I could help-hopefully someone will see this that can offer some solution.

08-03-2007, 09:42 AM
NHIceGSD Yearling Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 819	He's a big ol' 125 lb German Shep! He was rescued out of a dumpster as a pup... and we're not sure if it was an injury, malnurishment, or just horrendous breeding (my money is on that one...) but his ears never really stand up right, unless he's laying on his side.. then they're perfect! I also think that there may be a little somthin' somethin' in his bloodlines that's not 100% GSD as I can see a bit of rottie in him at times. As far as the baths go, I've had that concern myself, he's itchy enough as it is, I don't want to go and totally dry him out, and I know how important natural oils are to any animals skin and coat. We did go a month w/out the tubbies, and he started getting itchy again. I just feel horrible, all of my animals are usually sleek, gleaming picture of health and happiness.. and then people see this guy and think he's being abused! It just breaks my heart everytime I look at him. __________________ Be Something You Love and Understand~ Lynard Skynard

08-03-2007, 09:50 AM
thumpersgirl Seasoned Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 4,114	Okay, you might think I'm nuts here...could he just have dry skin or OCD? I have a female beagle that will scratch until there is no tomorrow. Had her to the vet several times to see what's wrong. In her case, it's OCD. She just has to do it sometimes. She's an odd one! My male beagle was scratching a bit for awhile too and the vet said he had dry skin. We added a little bit of oil to his dog food and the scratching stopped. Not sure if either of those help you out at all. __________________ Some people are like Slinkies; they're good for nothing, but make you smile when you push them down a long flight of stairs.

08-03-2007, 11:07 AM
oveywon Started Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 2,169	..... Last edited by oveywon : 01-16-2008 at 07:56 AM.

08-03-2007, 12:20 PM
Jadesmygirl Started Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Minnesota Posts: 2,544	I keep thinking about your dog. (What?? No Komondor, puli or even Viszla?? ) Along the same lines as thumpersgirl mentioned, it occurred to me that perhaps this could be a symptom of anxiety?? I was once on a medication that I had to stop abrubtly, causing fairly intense anxiety attacks. One of the many unpleasant symptoms was a general itchiness that scratching would not relieve. After suggesting this twice in two days, I feel like a drug pusher. But, perhaps one of the herbal calming agents might help?? If it even seems like something that might make sense, maybe talk to your vet about it first?? Because I only slept at a Holiday Inn last night. I am really sorry for you and your dog. We had a wonderful, sweet labmix who suffered chronic allergies/ear infections. I know how hard it was to watch and feel helpless while you try and retry everything under the sun to help. And just when you think something is working-voila, the symptoms come back. In spite of it all, he lived to be thirteen, and was a remarkably happy dog!

08-07-2007, 09:28 AM
NHIceGSD Yearling Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 819	First of all, are you suggesting that a poorly bred German Shepard may have some sort of anxiety issue? I'm shocked. and no... No Kommodor or Viszla, what kind of Hungarian am I??? We have had the allergy tests run, and he came allergic to all of the common envoirmental allergies, but here's the kicker. We tried him on a Benadryl type antihistamine with no results expect for a sleepy pup. Back to the vet, who said that some dogs (like people) just don't do well with that grouping of drugs. So we tried another, and another. Nothing. Ok, maybe food allergies? He's been on all natural food since we got him, but it was beef and rice based. We then spent a year going through the elimination diet. AGAIN... helped a bit, but no magic bullet. Vet said, ok... bathe him every few days. We have a 100 year old house that we're restoring, so maybe it's a contact allergy. The baths help a bit.... but just a bit. Then the vet said, ok.... the bigs guns are being pulled out. He started getting steroid injections, huge doses of antibiotics and he also went through the Ivermectin shots in case it was mange ( we've had him scraped a million times.... nothing) but again, the vet just wanted to be sure. Now, please keep in mind that this was over a 4-5 month period. I didn't hit him with all of this at once! Like magic... something worked.... and then... as quickley as it ended... it's started up again. I'm the biggest fan of rescue remedy out there. My whole family has their own little bottle, and he does get it regularly, but I'm thinking that maybe we should try something else. After reading your post, I called my vet and we're going in again on Thursday to put him on some sort of mild sedative. If this doesn't end soon... I'm going to need a sedative as well! __________________ Be Something You Love and Understand~ Lynard Skynard

08-07-2007, 09:45 AM
crittermom Greenbroke Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Virginia Posts: 3,224	Poor guy---when I looked at him, I thought of myself. Right now I itch all over (chiggers) and my left eye is partially swollen shut (I have no idea why). I was going to suggest antihistamines and even antibiotics---but it looks like you have been there and done that too. Don't give up on him.....something is bound to help sooner or later. __________________ Peace!! I wish the people of the world could get along as well as the animals in my backyard.

08-07-2007, 09:51 AM
Jadesmygirl Started Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Minnesota Posts: 2,544	I can hear your frustration. As I said, I really do understand, having gone through the same thing with my lab mix-except his symptoms did not constantly show as a nagging reminder or for all the world to see and question! So, I am sure in that respect it is even harder for you. I hope the sedative works. If not the sedative, I hope you find something that works, for your sake as well as his! I really feel for you you both.. Keep us posted??

08-07-2007, 11:10 AM
oveywon Started Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 2,169	[..... Last edited by oveywon : 01-16-2008 at 08:06 AM.

08-07-2007, 11:23 AM
sundancer maiden Long Yearling Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Udall, KS Posts: 1,470	I have a rescue horse with severe allergies to chiggers and gnats. I know that there is a lot of controversy about garlic, but this is my personal experience. All my horses and my old dog (now dead from old age) have been on garlic, during the summer, for years. That stuff makes a big difference here. I hardly use fly sprays at all. That's one part, the dog and the rescue horse also get spirulina. The poor horse use to get welts all over his front end, the back wasn't nearly as bad. The horse still has scars on his face. Now he is sleek and shiny, maybe a tiny bump here and there (can't see them if not looking closely). Talk to your vet. If you opt out of the garlic, I don't blame you, it can be a hot topic. But I would really recomend trying the spirunila, it is ALL natural. Check it out on www.springtimeinc.com . Springtime is the only company I have delt with, so I know nothing about any others, but I have purchased everything from them for several years and have never had a problem with them or their products.

08-07-2007, 01:44 PM
farmergal Kid Safe Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: New York Posts: 6,021	The only help I can offer is I feel his pain and yours. I've been fallowing your thread squeezing my brain. (you don't want to see the mess.) Nothing! Sorry Wish I had something to offer that would help. I know it's not much but how about a (((hug))) __________________ Knowlege is out there, you just need to know where to look.