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07-05-2007, 06:38 PM | #1 |
Donating Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: New York
Posts: 192
| Advice on Allergy Testing..Please help! So I have been writing posts and dealing with trying to help my Reese's itchy, dry skin and her digging in her poor little ears for some relief for months and months now. It has been a frustrating process, let me tell you. I have had her back and forth to the vet, switched foods, baths, tried a prescription Hills z/d diet to test for a food allergy, and nothing has worked. So I took her to a dermatologist today, which my family thinks I am totally crazy for doing...but I will do anything for Reese!! So they charged me 300 just for todays visit just to give me some medicated shampoo and tell me that they recommend either trial medication or a skin test like humans have where they will shave and give her the prick test, costing approx. 800, after which I will then have to give her allergy shots forever...starting every other day and eventually down to once a month... so my question is, has anyone ever done this before...is it worth trying because its sooooo much money...is there anything else i can do?? this started in the winter before xmas and has carried on through the summer...and since we tried the food allergy thing, i just cant figure out what it could be or what else to do.. at this point she isnt ripping her hair out, but i would never want it to get to that point...i really need your help on this!! i am sick over it..i just dont know what to do...
__________________ Laura & Reese |
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07-05-2007, 07:02 PM | #2 |
Inactive Account Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Orange County, CA
Posts: 4,387
| I'm so sorry Resse is not finding relief, I know how it breaks your heart to watch your baby so uncomfortable. How long did you try things before you decided it wasn't working? Just curious because it took about 3 month or more before I saw any improvements in Jazzie after I switched her food. I know what you are going through I went through it for years with Jazzie. The first 5 years of her life was so miserable for her. The itchies would get so bad in the spring and fall to where her skin would start to blister from the dermatitus. I cried from sheer frustration of not being able to help her. I finally found a veterinary dermotolotist and took Jazzie in.We started with an allergy test by just drawing blood first. We were lucky since the results showed she is alergic to: 1. Cat Dander 2. Dust Mites 3. Seasonal Pollen Thank goodness she was not allergic to fleas or food! The food allergies are based on trial and error and is really difficult to control. The doctor wanted her to start on the injections just like Reese. I didn't want to do that so I did a lot of research. Here are the changes we made: So we ripped up the carpet and put in tile floors. Got the sofa steam cleaned. Switched the matress cover & pillows to the hypo-allergenic ones. We don't have cats but my sister does, so Jazzie is not allowed to go to my sisters house unless she takes Benadryl before and after the visit. When the pollen count is high, I was gave her Benadryl. Switched her food to Natural Balance Potato & Duck formula She get's no dairy products (except for a very, very special treat) and I'm really careful about how much food she gets that are high in gluten. That was about 3-4 years ago that I made all the changes - today I can't remember the last time she needed Benadryl! I sure hope you and Reese can stop worring about the itchies - My heart goes out to you both.
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07-06-2007, 10:26 AM | #3 |
Donating Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: New York
Posts: 192
| Thank you so much for your reply. It's so relieving to find out that other people have gone through the same things. I have read a lot about people switching to that Natural Balance food and am going to go out and buy some today..and am going to look into the hypoallergenic bedding and stuff...I figure it has to be something like dust mites because it has been all year round... I am willing to try anything....the thought of giving her shots and putting something unnatural in her body isnt something that I am crazy about at all...thank you again for all your support...I will keep you posted, and probably bug you with more questions.. just one more...do you think this allergy skin test is worth it?? its not a blood test, its the actual skin prick test...they have to shave off all her hair on one side!!!!
__________________ Laura & Reese |
07-06-2007, 11:02 AM | #4 |
BANNED! Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,139
| You did not say which meds they would put her on but my GSD is on a non steroidal med for his allergy related itchiness. I also have noticed an enormous difference when he is on homecooked food. My yorkie has bad allergies too and I did the blood test on her. She was allergic to many things but I noticed a huge improvement when I started cooking for her too. I keep her on benadryl this time of year. Good Luck,I have decided that it is the most frustrating thing ever! |
07-06-2007, 09:09 PM | #5 | |
Inactive Account Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Orange County, CA
Posts: 4,387
| Quote:
PM me anytime if you need a shoulder to cry on, questions or what ever! If you decide to try Natural Balance give it a few months before deciding it not helping - but I think you will see some improvement. Also, when you give baths, use luke warm water - the cooler the water the more soothing it is and same with the blow dryer, set in on the lower temp. It will take longer to dry but will be much more comfortable. Last but not least clean the house often. Clean under the bed and sofa too. I hope you see some improvements quickly!
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