[Wylie's Mom]

Allergies are tough...both to treat, and figure out. You have a headstart since you're watching pollens (are you using pollen.com? they can email you the pollens in your zip code everyday and/or when pollens are above a certain threshold - this is what I do). So, did the increased itching coincide when the pollens shot up in your area? If yes, there is a good chance it is enviro/seasonal. Food allergies only account for about 10-15% of allergies...pretty rare.

You may want to change 1 thing at a time, so I'm not sure changing diet is the best way to go (yet). But what are you feeding?

Vet Derms don't often recommend Benadryl bc it's not usually very effective in dogs, and also you have to give Ben every 4-6 hrs. Whereas Zyrtec and Claritin have 24 hr effectiveness - so you only give once a day. You have to try an antihistamine for 10-14 days before assessing its effectiveness and/or moving on to a different one.

I will give you the dosages straight from my Vet Derm's info sheet they gave to us. Don't dose below the 'lowest dose' or you may not be able to get a therapeutic level.

Zyrtec (Cetirizine, generic) - for a dog up to 10lbs, use 1/4-1/2 tab. The adult tabs come in 10mg tabs - so split them accordingly. You should confirm the dose with your vet.

Try the Zyrtec for 2 weeks - if it helps, this can be a diagnostic clue for your Vet and/or if you go to a Vet Derm. If she does have seasonal issues - the options would be antihistamines, Atopica, Temaril-P, steroids, allergy testing/shots.

Vet Derms are just incredible with allergies! Marcel has allergies and we got so much help/info/relief for him through his Derms.