[Korina]

We have a 6 month old lab/retriever mix puppy. At about 4 months of age she started chewing on herself and had some bald spots. We went to the vet and that was temporarily stopped. Then it got worse. Went for another visit and she ended up with a cone and a shirt. While the red/bald spots have healed she has been extremely itchy lately and it breaks my heart to know she is suffering.

First time at the vets they gave her steroids which caused her to not only pee in the house and her crate ( which she never did even as a 2 month old) she was extremely depressed so I prefer not to go that route again. Second time around she got a antibiotic injection and a medicated shampoo/conditioner. We have been giving her a bath now once a week and have been more diligent with brushing as well.

She is currently on Kirkland Signature puppy food which is rated 4.5 on this website. Vet believes it is allergies but not sure it’s food allergies. The itching / licking started for the most part once we started taking her outside ( we did not do any walks until she was done with puppy shots) . As you can imagine as with any puppy she goes nuts when I mention the word “walk” so I can’t imagine having her locked up in the house all the time.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!! I’m not sure if getting he tested for allergies is a great idea as she is still very young but any advice on how to help/minimize the itching would be very welcome

[anonymously]

The best choice would be to see a board-certified veterinary dermatologist, if one is available near you (here is a list: http://www.acvd.org/).

Most dermatologists will not skin test for allergies until the dog has been suffering for 1 year/4 seasons. There are many other treatment options that she may respond to.

A summary of treatments for canine atopy:

Evidence-Based Canine Allergy Treatment

And here is a recent update:

Evidence Update- Evidence-based Canine Allergy Treatment

More info here:
http://www.2ndchance.info/allergytesting.htm
excerpt below from: http://www.2ndchance.info/Apoquel.htm
Food Allergies are probably over-diagnosed in dogs (they account for, perhaps 5-10%). Hypoallergenic diets are occasionally, but not frequently, helpful in canine atopy cases but you should always give them a try. Food intolerances are more common – but considerably more likely to result in digestive disturbances and diarrhea than in itching problems.

via search engine here: /forums/search/allergies/

Another site: http://www.allergydogcentral.com/category/allergy-stories/

[Susan]

Hi, to save all the stuffing around, Get a Salvia & Hair test done thru Glacier Peak Holistic cost only $85 & test for 100+ Environment Triggers & 200+ Food items… once you know what is causing her itch you can eliminate them…
I bath in Malaseb medicated shampoo look into feeding a raw or cooked balanced diet, you cant eliminate the carbs in kibbles as they need the carbs to bind the kibble, most grain free kibbles are high is starchy carbs, peas, potatoes, tapioca, lentils, chickpeas etc or look at feeding those Dog Rolls read ingredients first as some may have crappy ingredients…. in Australia we have Crocodile rolls, Lamb Roll or Kangaroo rolls for dogs with allergies….
http://www.glacierpeakholistics.com/More-Than-an-Allergy-Test_p_80.html

[C4D]

Hi Korina,

I’m assuming that your vet did a skin scrape to rule out demodex mange. I foster dogs and if she is a rescue, this could be a real possibility. Fortunately, my vet works with a lot of rescues and does this before we go on to other possibilities. Demodex mange is very common in puppies and young dogs, particularly if she was a rescue. The stress of shelters can bring on demodex mange. I don’t quite understand your post, but if she got worse on the steroids, demodex is a very real possibility. I’ve been through that scenario.

If she is was clear on this count, I would choose a grain free food with another protein source. It doesn’t really matter if a food is rated 4.5 stars. If it doesn’t work for your dog, it doesn’t work. Please keep us posted!

[anonymously]

I would be leery of any saliva or hair test that has not been recommended by a veterinarian that has not examined your dog.
As I mentioned before:
“The best choice would be to see a board-certified veterinary dermatologist, if one is available near you (here is a list: http://www.acvd.org/).”

[anonymously]

Correction to above post:
I meant to say I would be leery of any saliva or hair test, unless it has been specifically recommended by a veterinarian that has examined your dog.

I have not heard good things about them.

[Korina]

Thank you

The vet did do the skin scrape and everything came back ok.
Also, it is not that the steroids made her worse but the side effects (couldn’t hold bladder/ depressed) are what we didn’t care for and would like to stay away from.

Thankfully at this point she does not have any raw spots, mainly thanks to the cone and her wearing a shirt but she is still very itchy and has red eyes.

She is currently on chicken protein but I am considering putting her on salmon/sweet potato next and hope it will help or at least minimize her discomfort. Also considering moving the area rugs we have as they are shaggy and she spends a lot of time on them. At this point I’m willing to try anything to help her . If this persists and she does not get better in the next month or two we will definitely speak to a dermatologist and hopefully find a solution .

[anonymously]

Best of luck. I went through all that for a year, threw out rugs, bedspreads, had a dehumidifier and air purifier going at the same time. None of this seemed to make a difference.
I found Nutrisca Salmon and Chickpea to be the closest thing to an elimination diet and have kept her on it.

Some dogs are allergic to things as benign as cotton! And, many allergens are airborne, impossible to avoid.
You may get lucky and it will just be seasonal, still, it’s best to find out what the best treatment options are. Even when allergies are under control, they can still have occasional flare-ups.

PS: Sometimes the steroids are necessary for brief periods to stop the suffering, or prn for a severe allergic reaction. As prescribed by a vet.
Since starting allergen specific immunotherapy over 3 years ago, my dog has not needed them. Just occasional prn Benadryl and malaseb baths once or twice a week.

[anonymously]

Regarding the raw spots:
The specialist prescribed: Douxo pads Wipe affected areas every 24-48 hours, Malaseb Shampoo Bathe once to twice weekly, allowing 10-15 minutes of contact time before rinsing.
This was in conjunction of course, with her immunotherapy. Didn’t need to use the pads after the treatment took hold. But they seemed to be soothing to her skin.
Ask your vet about them.
Chewy . com has them. You can find the Nutrisca there, also.

[Korina]

Thank you!
We are already using the Malaseb Shampoo as prescribed ( leave in for 10 or so) as well as a leave in treatment afterwards . We also have a steroid topical spray use to spray on her spots if they start getting agitated.

I will definitely look into the Nutrisca food. Thanks again!

[anonymously]

Tank tops are helpful for dogs that are excessive scratchers (pruritus)
They help minimize damage to the skin. Also, reduces contact exposure to pollens, dust.

Check 1-800 Pet Supplies, Casual Canine Ribbed Dog Tank

[Author]

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