itching???

[sferrini]

wondering if anybody can help. Miracle has been itching for about 6 weeks now but I am not sure it's allergies.

I am wondering if anybody has ever come across any diseases that involves itching, she is eating about the same, and does not sleep any more or less. She does not seem to be urinating as much as before.

She just had her puppies 9 weeks ago, she is no longer nursing him and has not been for over three weeks. I have switched foods but this was after the itching started. I can't seem to relate it to anything. I have taken her to the vet twice now for the itching and he has given her steroids, with the second one being pretty strong and should have lasted a month but both times only lasted about a week.

He mentioned an autoimmune issue, like lupus, I looked at the symptoms and with the exception of itching she does not have any of the other symptoms listed.

Can anybody help, I am really getting worried.

[dwerten]

Originally Posted by sferrini

wondering if anybody can help. Miracle has been itching for about 6 weeks now but I am not sure it's allergies.

I am wondering if anybody has ever come across any diseases that involves itching, she is eating about the same, and does not sleep any more or less. She does not seem to be urinating as much as before.

She just had her puppies 9 weeks ago, she is no longer nursing him and has not been for over three weeks. I have switched foods but this was after the itching started. I can't seem to relate it to anything. I have taken her to the vet twice now for the itching and he has given her steroids, with the second one being pretty strong and should have lasted a month but both times only lasted about a week.

He mentioned an autoimmune issue, like lupus, I looked at the symptoms and with the exception of itching she does not have any of the other symptoms listed.

Can anybody help, I am really getting worried.

have blood work done and have 6 panel thyroid done as thyroid can cause skin issues and related to hormones and may fit within her just having puppies and her hormones out of whack-- you have to do 6 panel and have vet send to michigan state lab or dr jean dodds. Hypothyroid is common in this breed and is an auto immune disease -- if nothing in diet changed this could be it or could be seasonal allergies to pollen and dust in changing of seasons

also do you think she picked up a mite from puppies as mites make them real itchy so maybe get a few skin scrapings as mites are hard to detect

[sferrini]

Originally Posted by dwerten

have blood work done and have 6 panel thyroid done as thyroid can cause skin issues and related to hormones and may fit within her just having puppies and her hormones out of whack-- you have to do 6 panel and have vet send to michigan state lab or dr jean dodds. Hypothyroid is common in this breed and is an auto immune disease -- if nothing in diet changed this could be it or could be seasonal allergies to pollen and dust in changing of seasons

also do you think she picked up a mite from puppies as mites make them real itchy so maybe get a few skin scrapings as mites are hard to detect

ok. I just talked to the vet and he said to bring her back when she gets a little more itchy. The only diet change I really did was to preimum dog food as opposed to ceasars which is what she was eating but again this was before and a little after the itching started. In addition, when I look at the symptoms for food allergy she doesn't have them. She is itching and biting at her paws and a little nasaly. They did do a skin test on her, her eye was really bad and he did a scraping on it three times and came up with nothing. I don't know that he "actually" tested for mites but he did do a skin test.

She is allergic to dust mites, according to her previous owners but that is the only thing they said.

I will be taking her to the vet and will ask for the six panel blood test.


thank you

[lil fu fu girl]

If she is allergic to dust mites you might want to ask your vet about trying her on an antihistamine first before dishing out $ for tests. Andromeda is allergic to everything this time of year and usually stays on antihistamines until fall. It takes a couple of days before they start to work, but once in her system, the itching goes 99% away. Good luck

[dwerten]

Originally Posted by sferrini

ok. I just talked to the vet and he said to bring her back when she gets a little more itchy. The only diet change I really did was to preimum dog food as opposed to ceasars which is what she was eating but again this was before and a little after the itching started. In addition, when I look at the symptoms for food allergy she doesn't have them. She is itching and biting at her paws and a little nasaly. They did do a skin test on her, her eye was really bad and he did a scraping on it three times and came up with nothing. I don't know that he "actually" tested for mites but he did do a skin test.

She is allergic to dust mites, according to her previous owners but that is the only thing they said.

I will be taking her to the vet and will ask for the six panel blood test.


thank you

well if previous owner said she is allergic to dust mites how did they know this by having allergy blood testing done? as that is the only way they would know -- did they give her up because she has allergies? Wash her paws daily as that helps allergy dogs and bath her ever week in hypoallergenic shampoo -- rubbing face, chewing paws, itching chin etc are all signs of food allergy but 90% of the time it is enviromental allergies -- in switching foods did you switch proteins as protein is the cause of food allergy

[dwerten]

Originally Posted by lil fu fu girl

If she is allergic to dust mites you might want to ask your vet about trying her on an antihistamine first before dishing out $ for tests. Andromeda is allergic to everything this time of year and usually stays on antihistamines until fall. It takes a couple of days before they start to work, but once in her system, the itching goes 99% away. Good luck

antihistamines do not work in all dogs but it is definitely worth a try and antihist work best when using omega 3 fish oil and i like Welcome to Nordic Naturals omega 3 as it is anchovie and sardine and best omega 3 and distilled so no mercury as mercury causes itching in dogs. some of the antihistamines on my allergy group that are working well is zyrtec - benedryl is used as well 1mg per pound BUT sometimes benedryl amps the dog up and some it sedates so depends on the dog as my dog it amps up like a dog on crack bouncing from bed to bed and totally agitated

[sferrini]

Originally Posted by dwerten

well if previous owner said she is allergic to dust mites how did they know this by having allergy blood testing done? as that is the only way they would know -- did they give her up because she has allergies? Wash her paws daily as that helps allergy dogs and bath her ever week in hypoallergenic shampoo -- rubbing face, chewing paws, itching chin etc are all signs of food allergy but 90% of the time it is enviromental allergies -- in switching foods did you switch proteins as protein is the cause of food allergy

I'm not sure how they knew, chances are NO, they did not have her allergy tested. I only have to go by what they tell me. Having a TON of allergies myself, I can relate to Miracle and my heart breaks for her.

Yes, I agree according to everything I read, I believe it is only an allergy and not Lupus. However, also, from what I read does not lead me to believe that it is food but I feel as though it is food if that makes sense.

I have read that many are allergic to rice and I am wondering if that is the case, I swtiched her from Ceasars (which has no rice in it) to preimum food that Blue Buffalo, Nutro, and homemade trying to find something that does not bother her but is good and healthy, those all contained rice. The Ceasars she was eating was the puppy that has chicken and beef. The foods I gave her had did not contain beef but did contain chicken, lamb and salmon.

The doctor wanted to wait before I really started to elimnate items from her diet but perhaps I will stop the rice and see how she does. What do you think? Before I take her in and have blood work done for no reason.

If I look back it was about the time that I started with the preimum dog food.

do you know of a preimum dog food that does NOT contain rice?

[sferrini]

Originally Posted by dwerten

antihistamines do not work in all dogs but it is definitely worth a try and antihist work best when using omega 3 fish oil and i like Welcome to Nordic Naturals omega 3 as it is anchovie and sardine and best omega 3 and distilled so no mercury as mercury causes itching in dogs. some of the antihistamines on my allergy group that are working well is zyrtec - benedryl is used as well 1mg per pound BUT sometimes benedryl amps the dog up and some it sedates so depends on the dog as my dog it amps up like a dog on crack bouncing from bed to bed and totally agitated

I was giving her benedryl and did not do much for her. The steroids only work for about a week but from my personal experience even with steroids if you are inhaling or ingesting the allergy it will not work.

I have many allergies to both food and environmental and am miserable this time of year also.

[dwerten]

Originally Posted by sferrini

I was giving her benedryl and did not do much for her. The steroids only work for about a week but from my personal experience even with steroids if you are inhaling or ingesting the allergy it will not work.

I have many allergies to both food and environmental and am miserable this time of year also.

steroids and atopica will work for allergies but i prefer temarilp which is prednisolone and steroids have to be weaned on and off so best to give small doses every other day than one big whamy of dexamothesone which is much stronger and does not last long either -- my dd is 6lb and on 1/2 tab every other day and her blood work is perfect - NOW that being said i prefer natural first and tried everything natural for years but she was miserable. Ask your vet about zyrtec as i found in reading that is what works better as many dogs benedryl does not work and they have to give 2-3 times a day - Steroids will not work for food allergy only environmental allergies

[dwerten]

Originally Posted by sferrini

I'm not sure how they knew, chances are NO, they did not have her allergy tested. I only have to go by what they tell me. Having a TON of allergies myself, I can relate to Miracle and my heart breaks for her.

Yes, I agree according to everything I read, I believe it is only an allergy and not Lupus. However, also, from what I read does not lead me to believe that it is food but I feel as though it is food if that makes sense.

I have read that many are allergic to rice and I am wondering if that is the case, I swtiched her from Ceasars (which has no rice in it) to preimum food that Blue Buffalo, Nutro, and homemade trying to find something that does not bother her but is good and healthy, those all contained rice. The Ceasars she was eating was the puppy that has chicken and beef. The foods I gave her had did not contain beef but did contain chicken, lamb and salmon.

The doctor wanted to wait before I really started to elimnate items from her diet but perhaps I will stop the rice and see how she does. What do you think? Before I take her in and have blood work done for no reason.

If I look back it was about the time that I started with the preimum dog food.

do you know of a preimum dog food that does NOT contain rice?

here is what i would do if this was my dog feed natural balance venison and sweet potato for 12 weeks as you are correct dogs with allergies need to be on a limited ingredient diet and the foods you are feeding are not so go to this food for 12 weeks and vets have no clue about food and most do not know much about what to do with allergies and just give steroids which sounds like your vet in saying lupus is not real up on allergies in this breed as due to inbreeding this breed has alot of auto immune diseases such as allergies and hypothyroid.

[Tootsie Anne]

Originally Posted by dwerten

steroids and atopica will work for allergies but i prefer temarilp which is prednisolone and steroids have to be weaned on and off so best to give small doses every other day than one big whamy of dexamothesone which is much stronger and does not last long either -- my dd is 6lb and on 1/2 tab every other day and her blood work is perfect - NOW that being said i prefer natural first and tried everything natural for years but she was miserable. Ask your vet about zyrtec as i found in reading that is what works better as many dogs benedryl does not work and they have to give 2-3 times a day - Steroids will not work for food allergy only environmental allergies

Originally Posted by sferrini

I'm not sure how they knew, chances are NO, they did not have her allergy tested. I only have to go by what they tell me. Having a TON of allergies myself, I can relate to Miracle and my heart breaks for her.

Yes, I agree according to everything I read, I believe it is only an allergy and not Lupus. However, also, from what I read does not lead me to believe that it is food but I feel as though it is food if that makes sense.

I have read that many are allergic to rice and I am wondering if that is the case, I swtiched her from Ceasars (which has no rice in it) to preimum food that Blue Buffalo, Nutro, and homemade trying to find something that does not bother her but is good and healthy, those all contained rice. The Ceasars she was eating was the puppy that has chicken and beef. The foods I gave her had did not contain beef but did contain chicken, lamb and salmon.

The doctor wanted to wait before I really started to elimnate items from her diet but perhaps I will stop the rice and see how she does. What do you think? Before I take her in and have blood work done for no reason.

If I look back it was about the time that I started with the preimum dog food.

do you know of a preimum dog food that does NOT contain rice?

Just to let you know~Tootsie experienced similiar itching....dwerten gives great advise!!!As she has helped me tremendously with Tootsie...
Tootsie is now on a 1/2 tablet of Zyrtec daily...She eats Natural Balance Limited Ingrediant food and we switched to BioGroom Shampoo...She is doing much better now since her staph infection is gone...Still itching a little bit but not nearly as bad....

[sferrini]

Originally Posted by dwerten

here is what i would do if this was my dog feed natural balance venison and sweet potato for 12 weeks as you are correct dogs with allergies need to be on a limited ingredient diet and the foods you are feeding are not so go to this food for 12 weeks and vets have no clue about food and most do not know much about what to do with allergies and just give steroids which sounds like your vet in saying lupus is not real up on allergies in this breed as due to inbreeding this breed has alot of auto immune diseases such as allergies and hypothyroid.

Actually, I just talked to my vet and he agreed about the Lupus and said that he did not think that was the case but wanted to check for auto immune problems Lupus being one, that is connected with itching.

I actually went through a battle of tests myself at the end of last year due to muscle pain and itching. they also checked me for Lupus.

Anyway, I give my Vet a lot of credit we talked about switching Miracle's food and his first concern was to make sure she is getting enough carbs and proteins and was learly about switching to another chicken his suggestion was either the Natural Balance Duck or Vension formula and to see if I can see any improvement. He told me it could take 2 months unlike us where I saw improvment in two weeks. We are going to give her some steroids, (which I have on hand for myself) in pill form because the pill is less damanging than the injection, it's not as much. We agreed if there is NO change was so ever in the next two weeks I will bring her in. He is going to call and check in on Miracle in about 1 1/2 weeks. Which he continually has done through this process.

He actually is one of the best vets I have ever come across. Thank you so much for your help it looks like both you and my vet have given me most of the same suggestions.

I really hope this helps Miracle.

[sferrini]

Originally Posted by Tootsie Anne

Just to let you know~Tootsie experienced similiar itching....dwerten gives great advise!!!As she has helped me tremendously with Tootsie...
Tootsie is now on a 1/2 tablet of Zyrtec daily...She eats Natural Balance Limited Ingrediant food and we switched to BioGroom Shampoo...She is doing much better now since her staph infection is gone...Still itching a little bit but not nearly as bad....

I agree with you. I am going after work to get Natural Balance LID and start Miracle on it tonight.

[sferrini]

Originally Posted by dwerten

here is what i would do if this was my dog feed natural balance venison and sweet potato for 12 weeks as you are correct dogs with allergies need to be on a limited ingredient diet and the foods you are feeding are not so go to this food for 12 weeks and vets have no clue about food and most do not know much about what to do with allergies and just give steroids which sounds like your vet in saying lupus is not real up on allergies in this breed as due to inbreeding this breed has alot of auto immune diseases such as allergies and hypothyroid.

Question!!! Because this is probably a food allergy, should I start Miracle full force on the Natural Balance or gradually. I know you are suppose to gradually start new food but not sure since this could be an allergy.

[dwerten]

Originally Posted by sferrini

Question!!! Because this is probably a food allergy, should I start Miracle full force on the Natural Balance or gradually. I know you are suppose to gradually start new food but not sure since this could be an allergy.

i would do gradually