Itching ALL the time?!

[caseymarie09]

Originally Posted by Wylie's Mom

No - those are OTC anti-histamines recommended by Vet Derms. I'll attach the dosages from my actual Vet Derm's sheet for you (this sheet was created by them, not me). If you try one, the derms say to try it for at leas 10 days to evaluate effectiveness, before switching to another one.



Have you tried allergy testing and shots and/or sublingual drops?

Is a vet derm the same as going to a normal vet? I've actually never heard of it and if there is a difference, who knows where the nearest one is lol. The vet I have been taking her to is 1.5 hours away because I've heard so many bad things about the one in my town. And the other one that is somewhat new is so dang expensive for some reason.

[JuliannaB]

I so love YT.com!!! It is always so sweet of everyone pitching in what their experiences are, and so willing to take the time to share them. Even the apposing thoughts are wonderful! What works for one, might not work for another, but it is always good to hear about everyone's experiences!! Thanks to all for sharing

[ladyjane]

Wylie's Mom has given great information throughout this thread....I totally agree with her!
Rarely are allergies in dogs due to food!

Here is a link to find the closest board certified vet dermatologist in your area:

https://www.acvd.org/

[caseymarie09]

Originally Posted by JuliannaB

I so love YT.com!!! It is always so sweet of everyone pitching in what their experiences are, and so willing to take the time to share them. Even the apposing thoughts are wonderful! What works for one, might not work for another, but it is always good to hear about everyone's experiences!! Thanks to all for sharing

I definitely agree!

Originally Posted by ladyjane

Wylie's Mom has given great information throughout this thread....I totally agree with her!
Rarely are allergies in dogs due to food!

Here is a link to find the closest board certified vet dermatologist in your area:

https://www.acvd.org/

Thank you so much for looking that up! But unfortunately, Nashville is like 8-9 hours away I may call the vet I normally take her to within the next couple of days if she's not doing any better..just to see what they say. I have claritin..maybe I'll try that.

[Wylie's Mom]

Originally Posted by caseymarie09

Is a vet derm the same as going to a normal vet? I've actually never heard of it and if there is a difference, who knows where the nearest one is lol. The vet I have been taking her to is 1.5 hours away because I've heard so many bad things about the one in my town. And the other one that is somewhat new is so dang expensive for some reason.

No, going to a Vet Dermatologist is sooo wonderfully different than going to a regular vet. A vet derm didn't just end their training at vet school - they went on to train and further specialize in dermatology for animals - so they're just amazing at what they do and how they can do it. I spent HUNDREDS with my regular vet for allergy issues...whereas all that could've been saved if I'd just gone to a vet derm right away, bc they got me squared away immediately. Granted, a vet derm is a specialist and will cost more per office visit - but in the long run - WAY cheaper! Believe me, been there .

Originally Posted by caseymarie09

I definitely agree!


Thank you so much for looking that up! But unfortunately, Nashville is like 8-9 hours away I may call the vet I normally take her to within the next couple of days if she's not doing any better..just to see what they say. I have claritin..maybe I'll try that.

Ya know what you could also try? Ask your generalist vet to call the Derm clinic in Nashville and speak to one of the derms about your case. Generalist vets will often call vet specialists to consult, so this should not be unusual or a problem for your own vet.

[ladyjane]

Originally Posted by Wylie's Mom

No, going to a Vet Dermatologist is sooo wonderfully different than going to a regular vet. A vet derm didn't just end their training at vet school - they went on to train and further specialize in dermatology for animals - so they're just amazing at what they do and how they can do it. I spent HUNDREDS with my regular vet for allergy issues...whereas all that could've been saved if I'd just gone to a vet derm right away, bc they got me squared away immediately. Granted, a vet derm is a specialist and will cost more per office visit - but in the long run - WAY cheaper! Believe me, been there .



Ya know what you could also try? Ask your generalist vet to call the Derm clinic in Nashville and speak to one of the derms about your case. Generalist vets will often call vet specialists to consult, so this should not be unusual or a problem for your own vet.

[MidnightUnicorn]

My Tatiana has very sensitive skin and digestion, too.

This is the regimen that works for her:

Food:
Nature's Variety Instinct Grain-Free Lamb Formula, Canned Dog Food
Nature's Variety Instinct Grain-Free Rabbit Formula, Canned Dog Food

Supplement:
1/4 tsp of coconut oil in EACH meal (Tatiana gets 3x meals a day)

Shampoo:
Virbac Epi-Soothe Shampoo (bath about once a week)

All these items can be purchased from Amazon.

Hope this helps.

[ladyjane]

I just took one of my fosters to the vet today. She had the blood test done for allergies and I got 25% off! My vet had a coupon.

Just sharing this in case anyone wants to get this testing done. I am assuming VARL is giving these to vets! The test ended up being $150 .. not bad at all!

[Wylie's Mom]

Originally Posted by ladyjane

I just took one of my fosters to the vet today. She had the blood test done for allergies and I got 25% off! My vet had a coupon.

Just sharing this in case anyone wants to get this testing done. I am assuming VARL is giving these to vets! The test ended up being $150 .. not bad at all!

Oh that's awesome yay!! That's a great price!

[sophiesmominva]

How old is your pup? Excessive itching is a sign of a liver shunt due to high bile acids. Don't want to alarm you but my pup did/does the same thing and her bile acid test came back high and she has a possible liver shunt. Worth getting a bile acid test if you have not already. Yorkies are prone to liver shunts.

[caseymarie09]

Originally Posted by sophiesmominva

How old is your pup? Excessive itching is a sign of a liver shunt due to high bile acids. Don't want to alarm you but my pup did/does the same thing and her bile acid test came back high and she has a possible liver shunt. Worth getting a bile acid test if you have not already. Yorkies are prone to liver shunts.

She turned a year old in July. But I'm thinking I might know what the problem is now. I gave her a bath yesterday and used the shampoo and conditioner from PetSmart that they used on her when they groom her. Last night I noticed her belly was all red and broke out. Then I realized the last time I took her to get groomed was when she started itching a lot. I just gave her another bath a few minutes ago with the shampoo I used to use. Hopefully that's the problem and it's nothing major. If it is, I'll just have to make sure they use a different shampoo from now on when I get her groomed.

[Wylie's Mom]

Originally Posted by caseymarie09

She turned a year old in July. But I'm thinking I might know what the problem is now. I gave her a bath yesterday and used the shampoo and conditioner from PetSmart that they used on her when they groom her. Last night I noticed her belly was all red and broke out. Then I realized the last time I took her to get groomed was when she started itching a lot. I just gave her another bath a few minutes ago with the shampoo I used to use. Hopefully that's the problem and it's nothing major. If it is, I'll just have to make sure they use a different shampoo from now on when I get her groomed.

That would be awesome if it's something as simple as shampoo - hope that's the case!

[Lacy's Mom]

Originally Posted by caseymarie09

Thank you all so much for all the info! The shampoo i'm using doesn't have oatmeal. I've been feeding her Chef Michael's from Purina. She's a very picky eater. I've tried a few different kinds from PetSmart but she doesn't seem to like anything I get from there and I live almost 2 hours away so I can't just go whenever and try something new. The first ingredients in the Chef Michael's is beef, soybean meal, soy flour, animal fat preserved with mixed tocopherols (form of vitamin e), brewers rice, soy protein concentrate, corn gluten meal, ground yellow corn... Would any of those be part of the problem?

Most likely the food, those ingredients are really bad. I have one with this problem too (also caused ear infections) and eliminating corn and wheat did the trick. Also eliminate all the treats as most contain wheat. I make my own treats from chicken breast, oatmeal and eggs.

Also the dandruff shampoo Selsun Blue moisturizing formula with aloe helped alot. It lathers very nicely and their hair is soft as silk after using.

[kmingal]

My dog has recently developed an extreme sensitivity on her lower back when pet. We went to the vet and her X-rays came back fine and her blood work came back fine. She was checked for fleas and that was fine, and no irritation on her skin. We recently doggy-sit my fiances moms dog- who is also a yorkie. He is fixed and she is spayed. My fiances mom is claiming that her new sensitivity could have been due to sexual activity between the two dogs. Is this possible? Her sensitivity doesn't seem to be causing her pain and she enjoys being rubbed on her back. Her head goes up, her tongue licks the air, and her legs seem to twitch in excitement. She has also been running her back underneath the chair legs and licking/biting near her hind
Legs. My vet seems to think there is nothing wrong with her behavior. Please help!

[jessie1718]

If you are still wanting to try a different food but dont want to purchase a whole bag to find out she wont eat it you can email the manufactures and they will send you samples. I did this with my pomeranian because he is such a picky eater. I was able to find that he liked Taste of the wild the best and it saved me bunches.