Allergy obsession update-Zyrtec??

[Latte's Mom]

Well, I'm back. I put Latte on a food elimination trial and she has been eating hypoallergenic rabbit and potato by Royal Canin. She loves it and she seemed to improve, itchy-wise. We had a vet check int he 10th week of the food trial and he thought she looked pretty good. Then Spring came and the wind here in the high desert is blowing like mad, so she has been back on her tiny does (1/4 tablet .125mg/day for 7 days and then every other day for 14 days). I hate giving her the cortisone, but the poor thing is soooo scratchy and itchy. The nutritionist in my vet's office has been really trying to help and wants to try a different food-like a hydrolized protein. I maintain that at least half her problem is environmental. (Oh, she is also using Dinovite-a nutritional supplement with lots of good stuff for skin and yeast-prevention.)

SO, today I aksed about trying something like Zyrtec. He aid I could give her a 1/4 tablet. Has anyone tried Zyrtec? He recommended it over Claritin.

I have been obsessing over her for quite some time now...and have been away from the forum as a result. I am getting professional help. I would be glad to hear from someone again.

[time2go]

The doggie dermatologist at UT put Gracie on 1/2 (5mg) zyrtec daily. It hasn't been a cure all for her allergies but they are much better. Well they were. The pollen here has been quite high for this time of year. We go back to the dermatologist next week.

[Latte's Mom]

We don't have a doggie dermatologist, but that is good news! I'm going to buy some Zyrtec tomorrow, but I don't think I want to give it to her a long with the cortalone, so I think I'll call the vet's office and ask about it on Monday. She's still a little itchy with the cortalone! She's not feeling too well today, hasn't eaten much. I don't know-we may be back to the vet sooner than I think if she doesn't perk up.

[fifeandshaffer]

Cooper is about 4 pounds he gets 1/4 zyrtec it's hard to cut it that small but helps his allergies, I give every other day unless really bad then daily.

[lynzy420]

Originally Posted by Latte's Mom

Well, I'm back. I put Latte on a food elimination trial and she has been eating hypoallergenic rabbit and potato by Royal Canin. She loves it and she seemed to improve, itchy-wise. We had a vet check int he 10th week of the food trial and he thought she looked pretty good. Then Spring came and the wind here in the high desert is blowing like mad, so she has been back on her tiny does (1/4 tablet .125mg/day for 7 days and then every other day for 14 days). I hate giving her the cortisone, but the poor thing is soooo scratchy and itchy. The nutritionist in my vet's office has been really trying to help and wants to try a different food-like a hydrolized protein. I maintain that at least half her problem is environmental. (Oh, she is also using Dinovite-a nutritional supplement with lots of good stuff for skin and yeast-prevention.)

SO, today I aksed about trying something like Zyrtec. He aid I could give her a 1/4 tablet. Has anyone tried Zyrtec? He recommended it over Claritin.

I have been obsessing over her for quite some time now...and have been away from the forum as a result. I am getting professional help. I would be glad to hear from someone again.

Varl testing and/or Goo for allergies. Varl has changed my Miss Mini's life, it is not a skin test, it is not overly expensive, and it is incredible. Goo has just been ordered and I'm trying it. If your obsessed as I am, trust me this is worth trying.

[Yorkiemom1]

Originally Posted by fifeandshaffer

Cooper is about 4 pounds he gets 1/4 zyrtec it's hard to cut it that small but helps his allergies, I give every other day unless really bad then daily.

Hope your baby is not suffering too much with these nasty allergies! Here is a little tip.... If you ever have a tiny little pill that needs to be divided, say into 1/4 of a tablet, to be sure you can give the correct dose, DISSOLVE the medication in 1cc of water. Then you shake the dissolved pill/water well, and you give the dose of 1/4 of a cc! I usually take a 3cc syringe, pull the plunger out, drop the tiny pill into the syringe, put the plunger back in the syringe. You can then draw 1cc of water up into the syringe, and let the tiny pill dissolve directly inside the syringe! Before you measure out the 1/4cc, put your finger over the end and shake the mixture up well. Then you just measure out 1/4cc into a little food....I use raw ground beef. I dont know if your baby is allregic to ground beef...you can use anything that you can hide the tiny amount of liquid medicine in. You can tell your vet an RN told you how to do this, and they can show you when you go into the office...they can even give you a couple of 3cc syringes! This is how we do tiny doses in the hospital when the pill is to be divided and is too small to get it accurately done with a pill cutter! (Most meds now come in liquid form, but this served us very well down through the years!)Refrigerate the rest in the syringe, end up of course!.

[107barney]

I wouldn't use raw ground beef. First of all if could have e coli in it. Second it could have pink slime in it. I'd just ask your vet to cut them up, they do it for me all the time.

[107barney]

OP, I checked with an RN friend of mine about dissolving medication and using a syringe to administer it. She said you SHOULD NEVER do something like this without talking to your vet. Further, she said that compounding of medications should be ONLY be done by a PHARMACIST to ensure that dog is getting the proper amount of medications. Please do not do what has been suggested to you because you might overdose your dog.

[Yorkiemom1]

Originally Posted by Yorkiemom1

Hope your baby is not suffering too much with these nasty allergies! Here is a little tip.... If you ever have a tiny little pill that needs to be divided, say into 1/4 of a tablet, to be sure you can give the correct dose, DISSOLVE the medication in 1cc of water. Then you shake the dissolved pill/water well, and you give the dose of 1/4 of a cc! I usually take a 3cc syringe, pull the plunger out, drop the tiny pill into the syringe, put the plunger back in the syringe. You can then draw 1cc of water up into the syringe, and let the tiny pill dissolve directly inside the syringe! Before you measure out the 1/4cc, put your finger over the end and shake the mixture up well. Then you just measure out 1/4cc into a little food....I use raw ground beef. I dont know if your baby is allregic to ground beef...you can use anything that you can hide the tiny amount of liquid medicine in. You can tell your vet an RN told you how to do this, and they can show you when you go into the office...they can even give you a couple of 3cc syringes! This is how we do tiny doses in the hospital when the pill is to be divided and is too small to get it accurately done with a pill cutter! (Most meds now come in liquid form, but this served us very well down through the years!)Refrigerate the rest in the syringe, end up of course!.

FACTS: "pink slime" has been used as filler in ground beef for at least 30 years, and before that it was used in DOG FOOD. YOU have been eating pink slime and you are alive. (2) Dogs are scavengers and are designed to digest road kill...ecoli is harmless to dogs, their digestive systems are NOT affected by ecoli found in ground meat, especially the little bit you would use for this!. (3) Dissolving medication too small to accurately cut with a pill cutter was a commonly accepted practice in pediatric units in hospitals nationwide. Now that there are so many liquid medications available, it is not as necessary, but as long as the pill is not enteric coated, and you can cut the pill, you can dissolve it in water to ENSURE you are giving equally divided, accurate doses! Your chances of "overdosing" your patient/Yorkie is much greater trying to give a chip off a pill than to dissolve it in water and give the dose correctly. ~ Be advised there are now posters on here that are going to disagree with EVERYTHING I say, and try to make me look like a fool for anything I suggest. They quickly follow anything I post with a ridicule or a rebuttal, supported by their own "consultants". I can assure you, I am NOT new at this and have NEVER over medicated a patient or a pet, nor have I injured a dog by feeding it a piece of raw meat....verify what I have told you with your vet, and you will find it accurate.

[fifeandshaffer]

I agree with yorkiemom,,, I'm a dr for people not dogs, it is less common now that many rx come in liquid. Not long ago my dog needed mobic a pain reliever, it's hard to find in liquid, my dog didn't like pill form meloxocam so my vet told me the dosage,to turn the pill to liquid as long as you know the proper dosage I see no issues with it. My dog eats raw food, usually Stella and chewy or ziwi peak, but often I make him homemade raw, a recipe I think I got here on yt, he has never had an issue. I like to give meds in cheese or liverwurst my dog usually takes it without an issue.

[lynzy420]

Originally Posted by Yorkiemom1

Hope your baby is not suffering too much with these nasty allergies! Here is a little tip.... If you ever have a tiny little pill that needs to be divided, say into 1/4 of a tablet, to be sure you can give the correct dose, DISSOLVE the medication in 1cc of water. Then you shake the dissolved pill/water well, and you give the dose of 1/4 of a cc! I usually take a 3cc syringe, pull the plunger out, drop the tiny pill into the syringe, put the plunger back in the syringe. You can then draw 1cc of water up into the syringe, and let the tiny pill dissolve directly inside the syringe! Before you measure out the 1/4cc, put your finger over the end and shake the mixture up well. Then you just measure out 1/4cc into a little food....I use raw ground beef. I dont know if your baby is allregic to ground beef...you can use anything that you can hide the tiny amount of liquid medicine in. You can tell your vet an RN told you how to do this, and they can show you when you go into the office...they can even give you a couple of 3cc syringes! This is how we do tiny doses in the hospital when the pill is to be divided and is too small to get it accurately done with a pill cutter! (Most meds now come in liquid form, but this served us very well down through the years!)Refrigerate the rest in the syringe, end up of course!.

Rosie the RN, you crack me up! Thanks for the tips!

I don't know if I missed it but I didn't see the part where she was having any problem with dispensing (correct clinical term?) meds. But I will add my tip, just in case! After you purchase your Zyrtec at the Pharmacy take it to the pharmacist and he will be glad to cut it for you. Then go to PetSmart or other pet supply place and buy Greenies pill pockets they have beef, chicken, and duck flavor specifically for pups like ours! Also, Nutracal dab will go along way with a pill!

Now back on topic, I am a certified "experienced pet with extremely severe allergies owner" I know its a long title, but after several, several thousand dollars, Immunologists, Allergists, Derms, Vets meds, tests, and hours and hours of experience, I assure you: I know how you feel, I can't tell you how to "cure" your pup or how to medicate because each pup is different, regardless of similarities. Without knowing your pup the way you and your vet do I wouldn't venture to tell you what to do.

I will offer my experience and suggestions, but/and with a disclaimer, please talk to your vet before heeding ANY of my suggestions.

Suggestion 1: Please, please talk to your VET, about VARL, it truly is a great tool to be used and has truly saved Miss Mini's life.

Suggestion 2: Go with your gut, only a small number of allergies are actually caused by food, environmental is definitely more of a problem

Suggestion 3: GOO, theres a thread here somewhere and I will post it, please talk to your VET about this as well.

In the meantime, get rid of your sheepskin, wool, and any other natural bedding you many have that your dog uses (except cotton). Change your sheets daily if she sleeps with you cuz if her allergies are so severe shes probably allergic to people dander as well, purchase a floor steamer (Shark) use it, it kills alot of allergen producing particles and dust mites. Do not use any perfumey stuff on her at all OR YOURSELF UNSCENTED ALL THE WAY FOR EVERYTHING, EVEN LAUNDRY DETERGENT.

I would be happy to discuss this, I just want you to know there are alternatives to drugs, and the quality of life for you and your pup can be improved. PM me and I will be happy to compare notes!

Good luck!

[ladyjane]

All I can add is this at this time....for those who might be interested.


Bacterial Diarrhea in Puppies & Kittens

[Wylie's Mom]

Originally Posted by Yorkiemom1

Hope your baby is not suffering too much with these nasty allergies! Here is a little tip.... If you ever have a tiny little pill that needs to be divided, say into 1/4 of a tablet, to be sure you can give the correct dose, DISSOLVE the medication in 1cc of water. Then you shake the dissolved pill/water well, and you give the dose of 1/4 of a cc! I usually take a 3cc syringe, pull the plunger out, drop the tiny pill into the syringe, put the plunger back in the syringe. You can then draw 1cc of water up into the syringe, and let the tiny pill dissolve directly inside the syringe! Before you measure out the 1/4cc, put your finger over the end and shake the mixture up well. Then you just measure out 1/4cc into a little food....I use raw ground beef. I dont know if your baby is allregic to ground beef...you can use anything that you can hide the tiny amount of liquid medicine in. You can tell your vet an RN told you how to do this, and they can show you when you go into the office...they can even give you a couple of 3cc syringes! This is how we do tiny doses in the hospital when the pill is to be divided and is too small to get it accurately done with a pill cutter! (Most meds now come in liquid form, but this served us very well down through the years!)Refrigerate the rest in the syringe, end up of course!.

Originally Posted by fifeandshaffer

I agree with yorkiemom,,, I'm a dr for people not dogs, it is less common now that many rx come in liquid. Not long ago my dog needed mobic a pain reliever, it's hard to find in liquid, my dog didn't like pill form meloxocam so my vet told me the dosage,to turn the pill to liquid as long as you know the proper dosage I see no issues with it. My dog eats raw food, usually Stella and chewy or ziwi peak, but often I make him homemade raw, a recipe I think I got here on yt, he has never had an issue. I like to give meds in cheese or liverwurst my dog usually takes it without an issue.

These could be feasible solutions that a person could consider; if a person wants to consider it, it's always best to consult your vet just for confirmation. Never hurts to ask and confirm. I've learned a TON of helpful suggestions from YT members that my vet didn't think of. So have countless others here at YT.

If some disagree with their offering their suggestions, then do so; that's your opinion. Do it w/ a modicum of respect or civility. Don't turn it into a personal issue.

People are bringing their personal issues and comments ALL over this board lately - some of the comments are snide, nasty, sneaky, mean, and just on the safe side of not breaking the rules.

If this doesn't stop, we will start suspending people immediately. This has pushed well beyond the limit; and no more leeway will be given. I will post a larger discussion on the General Board later today so this can be addressed.

[Yorkiemom1]

Originally Posted by fifeandshaffer

I agree with yorkiemom,,, I'm a dr for people not dogs, it is less common now that many rx come in liquid. Not long ago my dog needed mobic a pain reliever, it's hard to find in liquid, my dog didn't like pill form meloxocam so my vet told me the dosage,to turn the pill to liquid as long as you know the proper dosage I see no issues with it. My dog eats raw food, usually Stella and chewy or ziwi peak, but often I make him homemade raw, a recipe I think I got here on yt, he has never had an issue. I like to give meds in cheese or liverwurst my dog usually takes it without an issue.

Thank you, DOCTOR!!!!

[lynzy420]

I'm sorry I don't understand medical terminology, the description that was given for dissolving may have well been in Greek to me (pun intended), I only understand layman's terms! Not everyone keeps a syringe at home, infact; my vet gave me several syringes where she marked exactly where we are to fill to so that we can give Mini her injections..

I really stink at searching on the search bar, I tried to find the Goo thread for you, but I couldn't so here are the links directly to their sites:

Dog Allergies | Dog Food Allergies - Healthy GOO ?

Very good info. and like I said there is a good thread here somewhere.

VARL Magazine Cover

This is what my Miss Mini (the pup that belongs in a plastic bubble is on..