Help Itchy Skin!

[KairaPup]

My chihuahua has allergies from hell. He's allergic to chicken as well as having environmental allergies (and every other health issue under the sun! Ahh!). My vet has mentioned it and I would try it for sure. His are seasonal and we're past the bad season now, but if it ever worsens and becomes year round I'd not hesitate to use the apoquil.

During the bad season there's a few things I do-

Keep a t shirt on him always. Pollen settles on his skin and causes issues. Less pollen means less itching.
Bathing in special shampoo, I do use an oatmeal one by paul mitchell and it WORKS like magic. The worst time of year he has to take these special baths weekly, because his skin is unbearable. The oils in it calm down his skin a lot. Coconut oil is also supposed to help if you rub it into the skin- I gibe them coconut with their food.
Avoid food allergens like the plague- he eats a single protein source food that is very quality.

Good luck. You may have to consider cutting his hair if it's super long until this is under control.

[Snickersmama]

His hair isn't super long but it's not short either, have been keeping light weight pjs on him to try to help prevent him from doing much damage from scratching. I appreciate the prayers hate for him to be itchy and uncomfortable. Hoping I see decrease in scratching/licking very soon
He sleeps right against me and he's scratching a little during night too poor baby. I'll see what the next few days bring. I have coconut oil at home will try that too, and I'll look into the hylyte a couple suggested that
Thanks everyone

[Wylie's Mom]

Originally Posted by Snickersmama

Snickers is on Claritin itching isn't decreasing yet I got some hysdrocortisone spray to see if it will calm the itchy areas, I sure hope we see improvement because I don't like seeing him scratching he made his side red this morning
I doubt I will be able to stick to Claritin 10 days if it doesn't calm down soon because I'm afraid he's going to be making sores if it doesn't stop. Poor baby all this just started a few months ago but it's progressively a little worse. We may have to go the Apoquel route. And that really worries me

How many days has it been now on the Claritin? So sorry it's not working. After the full 10 day regimen, you may want to try Zyrtec. Forgot too, have you tried Temaril-P yet...?

Try not to worry yourself about the Apoquel, it would be so very unusual/rare for anything to go wrong. I know you have *very* valid reasons for your worries, and I respect that. But maybe it will go perfectly just right for you .

[Snickersmama]

Wylie's mom: today makes the 6th day on Claritin sorry I just saw your post. He was on Temeril in mid May I think it was, then off for a bit and itching started again a few weeks later (roughly) he was put on Temeril again and it worked for two or three days the second round of it then I didn't see it helping him anymore
So we are on 6 th day of Claritin so here's hoping. I love him to pieces he's my fur baby I'd be sick if I gave him a med that could make him really sick so huge worries about Apoquel. Unfortunately completely unrelated to my pups but I've heard rare before and it would give most people huge relief unfortunately that doesn't relieve my mind. I really wish it did... Yes I'm a tad paranoid but for very very good reason
Thx for asking about my little guy he's still itchy maybe slightly less it's hard to tell how much tho. Keeping pjs on him so he doesn't seem to be doing much damage. Have some hydrocortisone spray I bought a few days ago only had to use twice now. I'm hoping that's a good sign

[Wylie's Mom]

Originally Posted by Snickersmama

Wylie's mom: today makes the 6th day on Claritin sorry I just saw your post. He was on Temeril in mid May I think it was, then off for a bit and itching started again a few weeks later (roughly) he was put on Temeril again and it worked for two or three days the second round of it then I didn't see it helping him anymore
So we are on 6 th day of Claritin so here's hoping. I love him to pieces he's my fur baby I'd be sick if I gave him a med that could make him really sick so huge worries about Apoquel. Unfortunately completely unrelated to my pups but I've heard rare before and it would give most people huge relief unfortunately that doesn't relieve my mind. I really wish it did... Yes I'm a tad paranoid but for very very good reason
Thx for asking about my little guy he's still itchy maybe slightly less it's hard to tell how much tho. Keeping pjs on him so he doesn't seem to be doing much damage. Have some hydrocortisone spray I bought a few days ago only had to use twice now. I'm hoping that's a good sign

Poor little feller...and poor you too, for having to deal with this - I completely get the frustration of allergies in dogs - they are tough to treat.

I SO hope that either Claritin or Zyrtec will work for you so that you don't even have to go down another path. We have our fingers and paws crossed for you !

[Snickersmama]

Thanks so much! Will give it a few more days, he's still scratching or licking I don't think it's as bad but it's definitely still there

[Lolasmom1211]

I know exactly what you are going through! I've had the same problems with my little one and tried all the same meds that you've tried. I also tried the "miracle drug", Apoquel, but it did not work for us. We eventually tried the Atopica and like Wylie's mom said, this has worked for us, thank goodness. It's awful watching our little ones itch like this. We also bathe once a week with a 4% chlorhexidine shampoo. I strongly suggest you see a vet dermatologist, if possible, and save yourself a lot of frustration and time. They are able to answer most of your questions and hopefully alleviate some of your fears about the medications. Good luck!

[ladyjane]

I had an allergy pup who was on Temeril P for years without any issues. When his allergies were less of a problem, I gave him a low dose every other day...then I would increase the dosage if he had flare ups.

There are so many RX shampoos .. I have found that some work better in some dogs than others. I keep different types on hand.

[Snickersmama]

Hello all just wanted to keep you up to date. I called vet today he's scratching A Lot and if not scratching he's licking. We now have missing hair on his left eye brow and a sore spot 😢 And a tiny spot on other eyebrow. So we are going in this afternoon to do blood work and probably go on Apoquel. Which I'm not thrilled about but vet said he has a board certified dermatologist that's using Apoquel with good success as well as he is. Reading more I'm finding info on the pets that developed tumors were supposedly given high doses of Apoquel. Why in Gods name they would over medicate I do not know ...but supposedly they say it was the ones on too high a dose. So while I'm in office I will also ask about Atopica and hylyt shampoo
He mentioned he's not comfortable with long term use of Temeril P due to potential problems associated with steroids. And since I'm in the southern part of Florida it's potentially not going to be seasonal since we don't get a big season change during the "cooler months" our cooler months don't get Cold except maybe 2-3 weeks total over the winter... Max. Just wanted to say Thank you all for support and suggestions I'll keep you posted!

[ladyjane]

Originally Posted by Snickersmama

Hello all just wanted to keep you up to date. I called vet today he's scratching A Lot and if not scratching he's licking. We now have missing hair on his left eye brow and a sore spot 😢 And a tiny spot on other eyebrow. So we are going in this afternoon to do blood work and probably go on Apoquel. Which I'm not thrilled about but vet said he has a board certified dermatologist that's using Apoquel with good success as well as he is. Reading more I'm finding info on the pets that developed tumors were supposedly given high doses of Apoquel. Why in Gods name they would over medicate I do not know ...but supposedly they say it was the ones on too high a dose. So while I'm in office I will also ask about Atopica and hylyt shampoo
He mentioned he's not comfortable with long term use of Temeril P due to potential problems associated with steroids. And since I'm in the southern part of Florida it's potentially not going to be seasonal since we don't get a big season change during the "cooler months" our cooler months don't get Cold except maybe 2-3 weeks total over the winter... Max. Just wanted to say Thank you all for support and suggestions I'll keep you posted!

A lot of people feel that way about Temeril P .. the amount of steroid is very low; but that said, if the allergies are really bad and year round, yes, I would probably go with Apoquel. Lots of people are using it with success.

[TxVicki]

I have been using Apoquel since March and this has been a wonder drug for her. No more itching and I haven't had any problems with it all.

[dottiesyrky]

Your poor boy, it is horrible when they scratch so much and you can't help them.
Don't know of this applies to your dog, but my neighbor has a Maltese who had terrible allergies and was on one of the ''A" named meds. It stopped the itching but upset her GI system, so she stopped giving it. She was thought to be allergic to grass in her yard. Due to the drought in Ca , she replaced her grass with the plastic grass, and since then the dog has had no allergic issues!
Thought this may be the issue for some dogs? I know my dog licks his paws after walks and probably is allergic to something on the ground, so I always wash his feet when I get home. That seems to help a lot.
Praying you find something that works and that your dog gets relief soon.

[sandy simpson]

Dee dee is finally not scratching as much. For Hotspot I use the green tea bag soaked in water. It really clears them up. I put coconut oil on her coat. It really helps. I started her on benadryl. Will bathe 2x a week. Hope all this helps

[Snickersmama]

Here's hoping the Apoquel helps and doesn't cause any side effects
He started on it Monday evening. The spot he scratched on his eye brow is clearing up so even tho he's still scratching it must be less or that wouldn't be healing. Caught him earlier start to scratch and he didn't do it he put his foot back down! Of course he scratched later but hey I'll take every little improvement he gets! Poor little guy. Actually big guy he weighed 13.1 Monday 😂

[Wylie's Mom]

Best of luck with the Apoquel - I so hope it gives wonderful relief to the little guy!