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3dogsmom · 12-08-2011, 07:31 PM

I have a 6 yr old yorkie. She has had allergies with skin problems for awhile and they seem to be getting worse each year. In years past we have gotten by with seasonal use of Temeril P or Bendryl, sprays, creams, and anitibiotics. This year they took a turn for the worse and Temeril P didnt even help. While on Temeril P, she developed hives from something and had to be hospitalized. She was sent home on Prednisone, antibiotics, and what they called a sedative (amitriptylline, which is actually an old anti depressant, used I guess in dogs for anxiety and itching sometimes).
She was on this for about 3 weeks and developed severe intestinal ulcers and almost died. She was in the hospital for a week and it cost over $2000.
She came home from this latest incident on a whole host of other meds and did okay for awhile. Now her allergies are back and they say we cant use steriods. The vet wants to try Cyclosporin which I read about and while it helps some the side effects sound awful.,especially the gastronintestinal side effects, vomiting and diarrhea. I also read it can cause more serious issues. Plus I also read it can cost alot of money.
I dont know what to do. She is my life but she is also costing me everything I have, money wise. It is always one thing or another with her and frankly she seems miserable alot of the time.
I have considered allergy tests and shots but read most dogs end up testing postive to everything and that the shots only work 50% of the time. If this was going to help, Id try to find a way to do it, but I cant throw money away.
I have no idea if these are enviornmental or food allergies. Several years ago I started home feeding because of the allergies. She gets a very limited diet, chicken or turkey, rice, vegies. I would love to stop home feeding because the vet says she is probably not getting everythign she needs from this diet. Plus, even though she has been on it for years, I wonder if she could be allergic to the chicken or turkey. I recently tried to switch slowly to Blue Buffalo small breed with lamb but she wouldnt touch it. I have also tried stage one baby food beef as another clean protein but I didnt notice any difference.
So please help me figure out what to do. Has anyone had luck with Cyclosporin? What about the side effects?Any other ideas. I am ordered some fish oil and vitamins and will supplement with that as I figure this out.
Thanks so much. I feel desperate.

12-08-2011, 07:31 PM	#1
3dogsmom YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: cincinnati Posts: 5	Please help with severe skin allergies I have a 6 yr old yorkie. She has had allergies with skin problems for awhile and they seem to be getting worse each year. In years past we have gotten by with seasonal use of Temeril P or Bendryl, sprays, creams, and anitibiotics. This year they took a turn for the worse and Temeril P didnt even help. While on Temeril P, she developed hives from something and had to be hospitalized. She was sent home on Prednisone, antibiotics, and what they called a sedative (amitriptylline, which is actually an old anti depressant, used I guess in dogs for anxiety and itching sometimes). She was on this for about 3 weeks and developed severe intestinal ulcers and almost died. She was in the hospital for a week and it cost over $2000. She came home from this latest incident on a whole host of other meds and did okay for awhile. Now her allergies are back and they say we cant use steriods. The vet wants to try Cyclosporin which I read about and while it helps some the side effects sound awful.,especially the gastronintestinal side effects, vomiting and diarrhea. I also read it can cause more serious issues. Plus I also read it can cost alot of money. I dont know what to do. She is my life but she is also costing me everything I have, money wise. It is always one thing or another with her and frankly she seems miserable alot of the time. I have considered allergy tests and shots but read most dogs end up testing postive to everything and that the shots only work 50% of the time. If this was going to help, Id try to find a way to do it, but I cant throw money away. I have no idea if these are enviornmental or food allergies. Several years ago I started home feeding because of the allergies. She gets a very limited diet, chicken or turkey, rice, vegies. I would love to stop home feeding because the vet says she is probably not getting everythign she needs from this diet. Plus, even though she has been on it for years, I wonder if she could be allergic to the chicken or turkey. I recently tried to switch slowly to Blue Buffalo small breed with lamb but she wouldnt touch it. I have also tried stage one baby food beef as another clean protein but I didnt notice any difference. So please help me figure out what to do. Has anyone had luck with Cyclosporin? What about the side effects?Any other ideas. I am ordered some fish oil and vitamins and will supplement with that as I figure this out. Thanks so much. I feel desperate.