In serious need of HELP!!!
 

Hadley is now almost four. I have noticed every Spring he gets really itchy and starts losing hair with the exception of last year due to the drought here in OK, we didn't have much grass. He also gets these little brown spots mostly in the areas with hair loss. I took him to see the Vet and she said he has terrible allergies. She gave him a Cortisone shot and sent us home with Predisone. He is to take half a 5 mg pill once daily for 4 days, then half a tab every other day for 7 days and then 1/4 a tab every other day for 14 days. I just hate him being on these medicines. He seems a little lethargic like he always gets when he gets vaccinated. The itching, however, has almost completely stopped. I also just realized the food I was giving him changed the first ingredient to Corn instead of Chicken. I had no idea, I feel like the worst Mom in the world!!!!! So now I need to find a new food as well. I have read almost every review on Dog Food Adviser and now I am even more confused as to what is best. So my question is....is the Predisone safe for Yorkies to take or should I just keep him in the house?? He is trained to use a puppy pad so that isn't a real issue but I hate to keep him cooped up all the time. Second, I could let him out some and try Benadryl or third, just leave him on the Predisone. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. It was the last thing on my mind when I went to sleep and the first thing on my mind when I woke up. He has only had one Predisone dose, so taking him off wouldn't hurt him at this point. Also, any advice on food would also be great. I do not want to feed him anything from any plant that has had a recall though. Thanks so much in advance for any advice. It is greatly appreciated!!!

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:(.

I was in the same boat as you. I started Peanut on Canine Caviar ( Open Sky) and that was the last time I had to give him his drugs. I still keep them on hand, but haven't had to use them in about 8 months. It has been awesome, he has been so healthy. He was a mess before, watery eyes, pink belly, hot spots, missing leg hair.

I know what works on my dog might not work on others but it would be worth a try. Canine Caviar is known for helping dogs with allergies.

Also I have Pnut on K-9 Advantix ( only in spring/ summer months) that seems to help him too-

prednisone is hard on the liver and has other bad side effects my chachi was on it for a short bit but I would not have kept him on it long term

We only use topical flea prevention during the spring and summer too. K-9 Advantix II works well on Cinders. I like that it's made for the smaller breeds- 10 lb. and under. (and for puppies) :thumbup:

I love K-9 Advantix we have been using it for ever. I never had any issues with Pnut. We treat our grass as well so we are covered there.

Luckily, we do not have any ticks or fleas. I'm not sure why but even our Aussie outside never has to be treated. So Hadley is not ever treated with any flea or tick preventative. I do keep Frontline spray, just in case, but I never have to use it. Most of his hair loss is also on his legs and belly. He does have hot spots as well. He will itch until I think he will surely bring blood, but that hasn't happened yet. I read somewhere that Canine Caviar had a recall this year. Is that true??? I am so appreciative for each and every one of your comments and advice. I just want to be so careful as to not add more problems to the ones we already have. He is also a very picky eater and seems to like small bites.

I also forgot to mention that he weighs around 4 pounds. So he is a little guy.

Ritapatt...can you tell me which grain free food you are feeding?

Dog Food Reviews and Ratings | Dog Food Advisor

They list recalls there. I signed up for the recalls to be emailed to me when they happen.

Lovespandp mentioned feeding Canine Caviar ( Open Sky) to hers. I hope you're able to try a can and see if it helps.

This was the recall,

Canine Caviar Recalls Gourmet Turkey, Beaver Cans

One of the customer service reps told me about it-

Peanut is 4 pounds too

I understand, trust me I understand!! It is so frustrating seeing our babies itch, and to keep medicating them is just horrible. I have been through so many foods- I hope you can find something that works on your poor baby..

I don't use the cans. He has tried the beaver and turkey and has loved them, but he really only gets his kibble. Sometimes I will boil him a chicken breast, feed him strawberries, cottege cheese- but its not an sll the time thing.

I am feeding Earthborn Holistics, Coastal Catch. We used Taste OTW Pacific stream until we got caught up in two recalls. We have had good luck with one of the Canadae foods- but again had recall issues. The fish protein is the only one we have found that is not sensitizing and seems easy to digest- many have good luck with lamb formulas, (just not us, too rich), I think plenty of probiotics have been really helpful keeping the yeast overgrowth under control.

I am away from my computer for the moment. About to go food hunting. Did anyone else have an opinion on the Prednisone and whether I should continue or stop??

I went with Natures Variety. Hoping for improvement!! Still undecided about the Predisone.

I would leave him on the steroids for now. Usually they taper them off the steroids. Never take a pet or a human off steroids quickly as it can be very dangerous. The vet should have given you a taper down schedule for the steroid pills unless they are keeping him on a low dose maintenance dose for the summer. (which may not be a bad idea if he is that bothered by the allergies)

Some dogs are allergic to corn. It certainly should not be a first ingredient. There are some good grain free foods out there. Putting him on a good coat supplement may help also. Like Salmon oil or some other Omega3 oil.

Do you have a flea issue where you are? Some dogs have severe flea allergies that can be triggered by just one flea walking on the skin. I used to have a dog like that. He would be in sheer misery from on lousy flea. We always flea combed him after he came inside. He also needed frequent bathing with an all natural shampoo and conditioner.

No we don't have ticks or fleas and never have thank goodness. So I don't use a preventative. I chose Nature's Variety Holistic and have decided to not give anymore Prednisone. He only had one dose so it won't hurt him to stop at this point. I will watch him and if he starts itching again or has runny eyes I can always go back to it. But I will try Benadryl first. Thanks so much to everyone that replied. It was so very helpful and consoling.

Well, just got home with the new food and so far it is a hit!!! I have never seen Hadley this excited over any food. You would think he was getting treats!!!! I sure hope this lasts and he doesn't have tummy trouble because at this point I mixed it with his old but he is picking all the Nature's Variety out and only eating it.