Capone has allergies

[Love_Capone]

I thought he had dry skin because he was itching so much and so did the vet because he never had rash or anything. We went back for a check up today and its allergies. He has been sneezing more lately and biting his legs. So he's on a form of claritin for dogs. I know a lot of people on here have dogs with allergies too. Just wanted to share. My main question is are these seasonal allergies or will he have to take these meds forever? I'm sad that he was in so much pain. He's scratching as I type this and I gave him a pill already

[lil fu fu girl]

Andromeda has alergies as well. Sneezing, scratching, etc. Her vet put her on chlorpheniramine which is a antihistamine. It took several days to get to work into her system, but once in it has really helped her.

She does not stay on it year round. Only in the late spring and summer, as that is when it really seems to impact her. In the fall and winter they seem to go away. Capone might be the same way.

Sorry your little man is going through this. It is hard to watch them be in pain and not be able to help right away. Good luck on the meds and keep me posted as to how he is doing.

[Wylie's Mom]

If it's allergies, it gets sorta complicated sooo...

Is he biting back legs/front?
Is he chewing or licking his paws?
Scratching anywhere?
Ears bothering him?
When did it start...ie, after winter, during spring, after a food change?
Is the claritin helping yet?

Food allergies are rare (~10%), so if it's a food allergy - you can do an elimination diet and remove the allergen.

More likely, it's seasonal or enviro (dust etc). If it's seasonal - and you have a winter where you are, then you'd probably only need to give meds during pollen seasons. There are about 4-5 over the counter antihistamines you can give to dogs (try one for 10-14 before switching), prescription antihists, Atopica, Temaril-P, steriods, and allergy testing followed by custom injections ($$$).

If your baby is realllly suffering right now - as in, quality of life is poor - then you may want to consider steriods temporarily as you figure out the long term plan.

My Marcel has allergies and Atopica was a MIRACLE for him.

[Ellie May]

What med is it?

[Wylie's Mom]

Originally Posted by Ellie May

What med is it?

It sounds like it's claritin...

[Ellie May]

Originally Posted by Wylie's Mom

It sounds like it's claritin...

lol, um, oops.

I agree with Ann.
It will take at least a few days to do much good most likely.
Antihistamines don't work for all dogs either.
You may end up switching the type or going to something else entirely.

[Love_Capone]

Originally Posted by Wylie's Mom

If it's allergies, it gets sorta complicated sooo...

Is he biting back legs/front?
Is he chewing or licking his paws?
Scratching anywhere?
Ears bothering him?
When did it start...ie, after winter, during spring, after a food change?
Is the claritin helping yet?

Food allergies are rare (~10%), so if it's a food allergy - you can do an elimination diet and remove the allergen.

More likely, it's seasonal or enviro (dust etc). If it's seasonal - and you have a winter where you are, then you'd probably only need to give meds during pollen seasons. There are about 4-5 over the counter antihistamines you can give to dogs (try one for 10-14 before switching), prescription antihists, Atopica, Temaril-P, steriods, and allergy testing followed by custom injections ($$$).

If your baby is realllly suffering right now - as in, quality of life is poor - then you may want to consider steriods temporarily as you figure out the long term plan.

My Marcel has allergies and Atopica was a MIRACLE for him.

He's still scratching today. My vet said not all antihistamines work for every dog, but it's only been 2 days. I wouldn't say his quality of life is suffering. He bites his front legs, his butt, and he does the army crawl to scratch his stomach.

Thanks everyone for the responses, I just hope he gets better and stops all this scratching. Poor little thing

[lucirbc]

unfortunately my dog Lilo (not a yorkie) has horrible allergies. We tried every kind of food possible (even ultra allergen foods). She lived on benyedryl most of her 1st year of life, which didnt help after awhile. I eventually forked out the $1,000 for the skin allergy testing and found out she is allergic to everything, duts, dust mites, mold, mildew, weeds, and much more. She has been on allergy shots for about a year now and is also on a perscription antihystamine. She is still itchy at times, especially when things are in bloom that she is allergic to, but her quality of life has improved tremendiously! If you have any questions about the process, i can try and help.

[Love_Capone]

Thanks so much! Do you know how long it should take for the antihistamine to start working. He's been on it since Wednesday and he's still scratching and I can't tell if it's more or less, just still scratching.

[Ellie May]

Originally Posted by Love_Capone

Thanks so much! Do you know how long it should take for the antihistamine to start working. He's been on it since Wednesday and he's still scratching and I can't tell if it's more or less, just still scratching.

You should try them for at least 7-10 days. Giving two weeks is fine, but if they don't work after 10, I doubt they will.

[Love_Capone]

Thanks, I'm trying to be patient. But I have seeing him bite his legs and reaching around and biting his back. If he's not better by the end of next week I will call the vet again.

[FL Tink]

Originally Posted by Wylie's Mom

If it's allergies, it gets sorta complicated sooo...

My Marcel has allergies and Atopica was a MIRACLE for him.

My baby is having some itching and scratching. someplaces she has scratched the fur right off.

I have changed foods, only using holistic foods, i give nupro supplement and shampoo for sensitive skins.
i feel so bad for her.
sometimes she chews her left front paw..but that is kinda new.
she doesnt get any grains at all.
i have used coconut oil too in her diet too to help her skin.

We have an appointment this weekend at the vet.
I am just cant imagine giving her drugs. Are there any concerns you have about the cyclosporine in atopica??
thanks girl!

[Wylie's Mom]

Originally Posted by FL Tink

My baby is having some itching and scratching. someplaces she has scratched the fur right off.

I have changed foods, only using holistic foods, i give nupro supplement and shampoo for sensitive skins.
i feel so bad for her.
sometimes she chews her left front paw..but that is kinda new.
she doesnt get any grains at all.
i have used coconut oil too in her diet too to help her skin.

We have an appointment this weekend at the vet.
I am just cant imagine giving her drugs. Are there any concerns you have about the cyclosporine in atopica??
thanks girl!

Aw, your poor girl. Allergies can be so awful .

Sure, there are concerns w/ Atopica as w/ any drug. That said, when it becomes a quality of life issue, I have no problem giving it until the drug indicates to me otherwise (ie, side effects arise).

I've seen 3 Vet Derms at our derm clinic -- they are INCREDIBLE. So, here is kind of a bottom line (assuming you've ruled out that it's food allergy, in which case you just eliminate the agent) -- if your dog is young and needs almost year-round allergy support (meds), then do the the allergy testing and have the custom injections made for your dog (keeping in mind that the injections are not effective in ALL dogs) - this is pricey, but for year round medication support, it really is either cheaper, or about the same over time.

IF your dog is elderly and/or only needs seasonal med support, then medication (Temaril-P, Atopica, steroids) may be a fine route to go.

For me, I think Marcel is going to need year round Atopica support - so I *think* want to have him tested eventually as he is only 2.5 yrs old.

Hope that helps.

[Ellie May]

Originally Posted by FL Tink

My baby is having some itching and scratching. someplaces she has scratched the fur right off.

I have changed foods, only using holistic foods, i give nupro supplement and shampoo for sensitive skins.
i feel so bad for her.
sometimes she chews her left front paw..but that is kinda new.
she doesnt get any grains at all.
i have used coconut oil too in her diet too to help her skin.

We have an appointment this weekend at the vet.
I am just cant imagine giving her drugs. Are there any concerns you have about the cyclosporine in atopica??
thanks girl!

Ellie is on Atopica also.
Steroids were only working for a short time and we didn't want to keep giving them anyway. She has some health problems, but it is really the only option besides massive doses of steroids. Since her problem could be related to food, it may not work anyway. Long story short, we can't switch foods.

If your pup is only having a probably a couple weeks a year, then maybe steroids could be a good choice (if antihistamines don't work). But if it is a constant problem, Atopica is the go to drug. It is immunosuppressive and modified live virus vaccines should not be given while they are taken it. That said, if it's a quality of life issue, I wouldn't hesitate to use it.

[lucirbc]

Please tell me Atopica (sp?) is. Lilo has had allergy issues since she was 6 moths old or so. She was tested and has been on allergy shots since she was about a year and a half and i have never heard of this. she is also on hydroxyzine (antihistamine) to help with itching. i am wondering why her dog derm or regular vet never mentioned it????