Skin Allergies/Infections - Climate Influence?

[Peabody]

Is if there is a connection between skin allergies/infections and climates? Do Yorkies suffer less from these problems in drier climates like in the southwest (New Mexico, Arizona), cool wet climates (Washington, Oregon), mountain climates? We live in Oklahoma where we have heat and humidity. I'm getting ready to relocate for retirement and if climate affects this condition, I will consider moving anywhere it would help.


My 9-year-old Yorkie has had chronic skin infections for the past two years. He has been treated numerous times with antibiotics, Cytopoint, antihistamines, and medicated shampoos, as well as NexGuard for fleas. The condition improves and then reoccurs. He gets a grain-free diet & Omega supplements. My vet has done a skin scraping and finds only bacteria--no fungus.


In the winter it almost clears up completely. In late spring/early summer it gets much worse. This makes me think that a cooler climate or a drier climate would be better for him than our warm and humid climate.

[Rileymom]

I can’t answer your question but I’ll be interested to see what people say. I’m mostly posting to tell you how wonderful it is that you are willing to move somewhere for your Yorkie’s health. That’s a blessed little baby.

[Peabody]

Originally Posted by Rileymom

I can’t answer your question but I’ll be interested to see what people say. I’m mostly posting to tell you how wonderful it is that you are willing to move somewhere for your Yorkie’s health. That’s a blessed little baby.

Thank you!

[Dayswalters]

I have a little boy that is two years old (I say little but he’s 8lbs). He never had a problem with allergies until now. We’ve had a lot of rain in Southern California this year and apparently it’s doing a number on people and dogs alike. He’s on Cytopoint now but he is also on antibiotics for infection from scratching. It has been 2 months and we still haven’t got his allergies under control. 🥵 The vet says that we will keep trying but next year we need to address it before it gets out of control. So I would say that climate is definitely a factor.

Unrelated, but in our area there is apparently a huge Parvo outbreak. The vet says they are getting up to 5 puppies a day that have been partially vaccinated (2-3 shots) but coming down with Parvo. They are recommending 4 shots before pups are in public areas. It is worrying because so many people are lax in getting vaccines in a timely manner.

[ladyjane]

I think it would be difficult to pick a place that was best for him without doing tests to find out what he is allergic to.

I noted that you feed him grain free foods. Is that for allergies and has it been proven he is allergic to grains? The reason I ask this is that they are finding that the grain free foods are causing cardiac issues in dogs. Food allergies are far less common than environmental allergies. https://vetnutrition.tufts.edu/2018/11/dcm-update/