Allergy Help

Re: Allergy Help

Chris Geddes — Tue, 08 Jan 2013 18:04:29 GMT

Dear Nicola,

I work for Virbac who make lots of dermatology product but I shall try to be objective ;-) I would not recommend any POM-V products or even categories of POM-V products anyway because I haven't seen your dog, haven't seen the history etc. Thanks to those above who rate Cortavance though ;-)

Firstly, why not have a chat with the dermatologists at you university? I don't know them but hopefully they are a friendly bunch who will chat through with you and will know more than most!

Whilst some people find antihistamines to be useful, I'm not sure there is any evidence in the literature that they decrease itching, and some say that if they do it's due to the sedating effect that we know that they have stopping the dog scratching so much, rather than actually decreasing the itching. This is because the mechanism of itching is a bit different in dogs and cats. If they do have an effect, it is mild, so it might be that your vet would recommend something "stronger". Obviously the less "strong" the product that works the better because that will generally reduce side effects.

To F1chick - I'm sure you've thought of this, but in HDM allergy a household flea spray is great as some kill House Dust Mites too.

OK I can't resist one plug - if your dog doesn't have a Malassezia or bacterial skin infection, a shampoo like Allermyl (not a prescription shampoo) can be useful to reduce itching. Even if it doesn't work alone, it's often useful to combine a number of products with itchy dogs. I liken it to anaesthesia, where you use lots of different products at low doses to get a good effect whilst keeping side effects (different for every product) to a minimum.

Cheers!

Chris

Re: Allergy Help

F1chick — Tue, 08 Jan 2013 14:04:26 GMT

My Houndage (Lab) has allergies to house dust mites (he's in the wrong house!) and grass pollen. He gets a hyposensitivity vaccine every month and it works brilliantly. It's expensive, but he's insured. I dont have to worry about the effects of prolonged use of steroids and he's happy. Think its Axiom we used

Re: Allergy Help

kylie — Thu, 20 Dec 2012 14:39:49 GMT

Dorwest's Mixed Vegetable tablets are great for itchy dogs. Used alongside their Garlic and Fenugreek tablets (I believe they have a synergy with one another, so are stronger when used as a combo) should sort out most skin conditions. The MV contains antihistimines and I've used them with great success in similar cases. You can also use their garlic juice between his paws to soothe the area and help it heal.

Re: Allergy Help

maylane — Sat, 27 Aug 2011 20:38:56 GMT

Allergies can be pants to deal with. I have a 2 year old wire vizsla bitch and a 4 yo Wire vizsla dog who have allergies. I am fortunate to work at a referral practice with a great visiting dermatologist (he does free advice calls for vets)

Piriton has not worked at all on my bitch, as I understand it, its effects vary hugely between animals.

I have tried everything, we've done intra dermal skin tests, tried lengthy exclusion diets, several months on Atopica, allergy vaccine, antihistamines, the thing that works for my dog is good old steroids. She is allergic to house dust mites and storage mites, as well as seasonal grass / pollens. Her foot chewing is relieved by bathing every other day in malaseb shampoo .

Re: Allergy Help

Mrs Dot Dot — Fri, 29 Jul 2011 08:44:58 GMT

Hi.. I guess you've done blood tests for indoor and outdoor allergens, ideally thru Avacta... expensive but worth it to try and in point more what the allergy is. The blood tests for food alllergies aren't supposed to be very true. Also have you blood tested for sarcoptes etc. We have an excellant skin-interested vet at work and has sorted out my dog with food allergies.

She is on Purina HA, piriton, malaseb baths (when I remember!) and also Viacutin pump on food daily.... this is something you may be not doing.... has EPAs in and helps the skin protect itself......... Definately look into it.... have known a couple of itchy scratchy dogs who responded well to all of the above and over time got sucessfully weaned off them and kept on Viacutin only ... pump doses are better/ more effective than capsules.

Re: Allergy Help

Susan Jackson — Thu, 28 Jul 2011 23:12:02 GMT

Hi, I've got a cat that is the same. Did you get your dog allergy tested to know what is the cause? Sounds daft but grass might be irritating but might not be the sole allergy.

My cat was 4 when i got her and didn't notice till the height of summer she had a problem. 1st change was decent flea treatment. then steroids/antihistamines. decided on finding out if allergic as can be behaviour - very stressy cat. Found her allergic to dust mites, outdoor plant (various ones) and different meats, soya etc.

So tried a few diets, 2 months trial with each and zd had best effect. Still had to use steriods in the following summer and was not happy as side effects etc. So had her allergies re-tested and immunotherapy injections made up to help her with her issues. So far height of summer, she's a little bit itchy but hair's growing back in the usual places and shes only got one lick area on her tummy which I use flamazine on.

Its taken 2.5yrs to get to a balance where she still has issues but she's a happier more playful, less stressed cat. I wouldn't go back to anti-histamines or steroids now. I would say I had a really good Vet that was up to date with skin issues and testing etc so I got really good advice and help. It is slow as it's one stage at a time. Good luck.

Re: Allergy Help

Steph Worsley — Thu, 28 Jul 2011 21:21:05 GMT

if he's that bad have you tried pulse therapy steroids? or you could give more piriton I've given my 7kg cat 1 piriton bid previously so you should be ok to go higher with that.

could try cortevance spray as well. or you could ask your vet to ring a dermatologist for some advice we offer free advice to vets if they send an advice request in

Re: Allergy Help

Catherine Raymond — Thu, 28 Jul 2011 20:48:36 GMT

We used to stock Tavegil too

Re: Allergy Help

les punton — Thu, 28 Jul 2011 20:16:20 GMT

aww itchy skin is poo! My staffie had skin issues last year, but seemed to keep it under control with a combo of piriton, conrtavance spray and malaseb baths. Would only need to use spray when she was bad then baths in between. Seemed to keep her comfortable at mo. Dont know of any other histamines could try dorwest herbs although dont know from personal experience.

Good luck