My pippy can't stop itching

[Pipper]

I have a 3 yr old silky, he was always a little itchy but this summer it went crazy covered In Giant hives and couldn't stop itching gave himself skin infection, vet gave him cortisone shot with Benadryl hives went away also allergy meds for daily use as soon as he stopped the antibiotics started itching again she made me try all different allergy meds nothing worked enough. He got another infection on his belly from scratching also she changed his food to allergy food from the hospital and I haven't taken him out in about a month . Now infection gone she put him on apoquel 1/2 pill twice a day changed his shampoo to malaseb, I have had dogs my whole life never experienced anything like this I feel so bad for him. Can't eat what he is used to and can't go out, that's my doing because she thinks it's environmental, anyone else with this problem or any suggestions !!!!

[Wylie's Mom]

Hi and welcome.

Apoquel is an absolutely wonderful med for allergy dogs - how long has he been on it now?

What other meds were tried?

Around the time of his 1st incident, did you change anything...food, treats, etc...?

Read more here about allergies: http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/die...tart-here.html

[Pipper]

Hi
He was on every allergy Med Benadryl Zyrtec, was on steroids, steroids did the trick but she didn't want to keep him on it. At the time it really blew out, he was eating mostly people food last thing he had before it got bad was London broil, no other changes that I can think of. He was always a little itchy especially in the morning but would stop after a little bit, I just don't get it. I feel so bad he loves to go out and I'm afraid to take him, might be something they are using on the grass!! He is only on the apoquel for about three weeks!! I read some bad side effects but I don't have a choice don't know what else to do so frustrating !!

[JMuedog]

I've had to put Gwenni on Apoquel. We've had her on it on and off for almost two years now I think. Its a miracle drug in my opinion! She's had no adverse reactions.

Its the only thing that has worked thus far. We had tried OTC allergy meds, food changes, special shampoos etc...

My vet has us start at a 1/2 pill twice a day for the first 2 weeks then we go down to once daily, then every other after she's been asymptomatic for several weeks. We were actually able to stop it for the past 6 months, but just started up again last week. The end of every summer is when she has her worst allergies so hers has to be environmental as well. We're unsure what causes them. Nothing comes up in her allergy testing.

[anneclaire]

My Sugar has allergies very bad this time of year. She cant take steroids as she is diabetic. She has taken several other pills as well , I finally broke down and bought the Apoquel and it is worth every penny! All her bad bad places have healed up and her feet look normal again and not all red and inflamed. With her having diabetes I can let her get infections. She was on it for 3 weeks , she started a whole one twice a day then one a day til they were gone. I think I may have to put her on them again as I noticed she has been gnawing at her feet again.
Usually a foot soak with peroxide,vinegar and water will relieve her but not this year. Hers is environmental as well. So she gets very very short walks and I try to keep her completely of the grass. Thank goodness it isnt a year round thing.

[Wylie's Mom]

Originally Posted by Pipper

Hi
He was on every allergy Med Benadryl Zyrtec, was on steroids, steroids did the trick but she didn't want to keep him on it. At the time it really blew out, he was eating mostly people food last thing he had before it got bad was London broil, no other changes that I can think of. He was always a little itchy especially in the morning but would stop after a little bit, I just don't get it. I feel so bad he loves to go out and I'm afraid to take him, might be something they are using on the grass!! He is only on the apoquel for about three weeks!! I read some bad side effects but I don't have a choice don't know what else to do so frustrating !!

Benadryl, Zyrtec etc are OTC meds and are almost *never* effective for allergy dogs - so I wouldn't be surprised at all that they didn't work.

You want to give Apoquel every single day for the first 4-6 weeks as it ramps up toward full effectiveness - you have to give it time.

ALL meds (for humans or animals)...every single medication comes with the potential for side effects, so that's part of the equation. However, you have to weigh quality of life here - and your kiddo does *not* have a good quality of life w/out some sort of medical assistance here. Bad side effects are rare, so I wouldn't obsess too much about them.

What are you feeding for daily food then...? He should be on GRAIN FREE, for sure since he's an allergy dog. Even though he's likely not allergic (at this time) to food, you don't want to give any higher-potential allergens.

[Pipper]

Hi
I am feeding him royal canon hydrolyzed protein adult hp, allergy good from the animal hospital. Well I do feel better hearing that he is not unique with his condition. I am giving him the apoquel every 12 hrs 1/2 pill. So u say it takes 4 to 6 weeks to build up?, it is working he only itches very little when it's about time for another pill. I feel so bad not taking him out, do u think it will make him worse? Of course the vet says take him out!. I just don't want him to get an infection again.. Thanks for all the responses ....

[Wylie's Mom]

Originally Posted by Pipper

Hi
I am feeding him royal canon hydrolyzed protein adult hp, allergy good from the animal hospital. Well I do feel better hearing that he is not unique with his condition. I am giving him the apoquel every 12 hrs 1/2 pill. So u say it takes 4 to 6 weeks to build up?, it is working he only itches very little when it's about time for another pill. I feel so bad not taking him out, do u think it will make him worse? Of course the vet says take him out!. I just don't want him to get an infection again.. Thanks for all the responses ....

Allergens are microscopic and are EVERYwhere -- you can't prevent exposure, really, by keeping him inside. Just proceed as usual and keep up w/ the Apoquel .

Are you giving any oils? May want to think about giving fish oil, coconut oil, or camelina oil.

[Pipper]

No I'm not giving him any oils, I will definitely ask the vet about that!! Anything that would help him, I will try it, thanks so much for all your help

[Susan78]

My yorkie got will itchy on the last week of June. We rushed her in late evening and she was given a cortisone shot. Two days later back to itchy her skin was so red and her female privates swelled. My vet put her on prednisone for two weeks and she cleared up. My vet said it could be something in the air or she got bit by a bug. All I know is that week there were no mosquitos,deer flies and knats around. I got really sick with my allergies that week too so my guess is maybe I am nuts but I think the government sprays crap at night. She has been fine now and even my doctor said it was weird that week no bugs.Anyways I hope your baby is better. I never feed table scraps and I never put my yorkie in the grass here too many deer poops. I watch her like a hawk but just had to guess maybe why she was itchy.Susan

[Jmulls]

Originally Posted by JMuedog

I've had to put Gwenni on Apoquel. We've had her on it on and off for almost two years now I think. Its a miracle drug in my opinion! She's had no adverse reactions.

Its the only thing that has worked thus far. We had tried OTC allergy meds, food changes, special shampoos etc...

My vet has us start at a 1/2 pill twice a day for the first 2 weeks then we go down to once daily, then every other after she's been asymptomatic for several weeks. We were actually able to stop it for the past 6 months, but just started up again last week. The end of every summer is when she has her worst allergies so hers has to be environmental as well. We're unsure what causes them. Nothing comes up in her allergy testing.

Polo's been getting the same problems. At 1st I thought it was too much surf/sand... but I kept him in, and strictly watched his diet (home cook, only ate beef brown rice and a veggie), itching keeps coming back as do dry scab like spots.. we just came back from vet, he had a steroid shot, as well as Apoquel... So is Gwenni on it full time?

[4carolyn]

Vet says new medication CADI by injection is as effective as Apoquel and targets skin issues only. May need to repeat 6-8 weeks or if symptoms recur. So far so good. Dermacton products worked well also, but required constant reapplication and made her fur matted and oily.

[Wylie's Mom]

Originally Posted by 4carolyn

Vet says new medication CADI by injection is as effective as Apoquel and targets skin issues only. May need to repeat 6-8 weeks or if symptoms recur. So far so good. Dermacton products worked well also, but required constant reapplication and made her fur matted and oily.

What is this? It's called "CADI"...? Never heard of it but sounds exciting!

So it targets skin issues, but doesn't modulate the immune system (like Apoquel and Atopica both do)...? So if it only helps skin issues, it makes me think it wouldn't relieve symptoms like the histamine response in the paws etc...?

Interesting - want to learn more; thanks for posting this!

[4carolyn]

That is what the vet said, it doesn't have the systemic effects, targets skin. Jaya has stopped scratching completely, but I have noticed her biting at her toes. So thanks for that info. CADI is an acronym for something that I didn't get. Vet said they just got the information within days of Jaya's appointment which was last week.

[gschmitt]

Toby became itchy just this year after a move from the East Coast to the Midwest. Apoquel and this site have been a great help in treating him. It's a good med for allergies.