My Wheaten Terrier had terrible allergy issues.We too went the prednisone route for a while while I got her system straightened out. The vet worked with me to get her to the smallest dose (35 lb dog, 1/4 of 5m every other day)possible. I home cooked for awhile (fish, rice green beans w/ probitics added) then switched to a grainfree, fish based kibble w/ probiotics included. It has worked wonders- she is now 12 and we are amazed at how healthy she is compared to back then, altho old age is getting the best of her now
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