Are there Allergy alternatives to Tamiril, Benedryl, and Claritin...?

Question

My dog is already a little over weight (on a diet) but he's been itchy and licking his back legs for over a year. He licks them until there's open sores! He's been on and off Tamiril (spelling?) which I guess has a steroid in it and is making his weight problem worse. When he's on it the stuff works for his allergy prob. I took him off the Tamiril because of his weight issue and now he's licking his legs again!!! I don't know what to do. Doctor says just use Claritin 2 times daily and Benedryl 3 times daily!!! I don't want to drug out my dog!!! :-( What can I do???? Somebody help me!!!!

Answer 1

Well, benedryl will make him a little leathargic, but claritin shouldn't.
I would get him on a quality hypo-allergenic diet, such as made by Solid Gold, Wellness, and Wysong..(not Science diet)

The proper diet should make a difference in 3 weeks or so..
For the raw sores, mix douch powder with white Vaselin until it makes a thick paste, and applyy as needed to his leggs to sooth, and promote healing.

If the different diet does't work in 4 weeks, email me, and I can help you further.

Answer 2

Has your vet talked to you about a food elimination trial or allergy testing? You need a special veterinary diet if he suspects a food allergy. Do you use a monthly flea product like advantage or frontline? Fleas love to hang out on the back end of a dog and cause a lot of itching. Temaril-P does have steroid in it, so it shouldn't be used long term every day. Benedryl is safe for every day use, but it can make the dog sleepy. Also, it isn't very effective for very itchy dogs. There are topical sprays like Genesis and Gentocin spray that are anti-itch. Adding Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids to his diet will help give him a healthy coat and also help with itching. Sounds like you need to dig deeper with your vet or see a specialist (dog dermatologist) for more info. Good luck! :)

Answer 3

If your vet cant offer you what you think is a reasonable solution then find a new one or talk to a groomer as it could be a skin allergy or just fleas. someone else mentioned it but your dog may be having food allergies, consider a more natural dog food. I dont know why your vet said give your dog that much allergy med.. I'm a full grown adult and that much allergy medication would make me sleep ALL DAY so I'm sure the effect will be even more dramatic on your dog! Another consideration.. it could be OCD, seriously, my moms cat felt neglected when my mom went on vacation and it started licking itself bald... its a psychological thing I guess. Her cat was on and off steroids for a year... Well if you do end up doping up your dog make sure it gets lots of water, meds are hard on the liver! Good luck!

Answer 4

Allegies are a real problem in some dogs. It might be the carpet, the carpet cleaner, the spray you use to make the house smell good, his food, being over weight may be a sign that the food is causing problems. Try a variety that is for sensitive skin and see if that will help. Give him a blanket to lay on that has been washed in allergy-free detergent with no softener. Be careful of the antibiotic that you use on his skin because he might be allergic to the lotion-type substance that the antibiotic is in. It takes time to figure out allergies. To get his weight under control give him not table scrapes and only the amount of food on the dog food package for his proper weight not his current overweight. Steroids are bad because they can cause so many other complications. You may not have changed brands in the last year, but the companies may have changed the formulas on the products you use and your dog may be allergic to the new formula in detergent, soap, cleaning product, spray, etc.

Answer 5

Temaril P Alternative

Answer 6

If you are in an area where pollen is particularly troubling then you may have to suffer through. Try not to go out in the early mornings. Take a shower and wash your hair before going to bed, pollen likes to stick to hair and clothing. Change your air filters at least every other month. Make sure you use your dryer to dry clothes bone dry and never dry them outside.Don't use feather pillows. Use your air conditioner all the time and keep your windows closed. Antibiotics will only work for you if you have aquired a bacterial infection because of your inflamation and blocked sinus

Answer 7

Change his food.
Food allergies are the leading cause of skin problems. Read dog food lables. Avoid corn and wheat products. Dairy, and soy can also cause allergies. Also animal by products, animal digest, and other preservatives are not healthy for animals. Destroy the immune system, organs, and make them sick.
Read "Food Pets Die For" by Ann N Martin. You will be shocked and amazed at the disgusting things in pet food that is making our pets sick.
Go to naturapet.com for all you need to know about dog nutrition. I feed my very allergic dog California Natural Lamb and Rice and have no complaints. Her allergies cleared up almost immediatly and haven't returned. They also have a Skin and Coat Supplement. Works wonders. It is well worth trying.
Wellness, Avoderm, and Artemis are good foods too. Go to their websites for more info.
Good Luck
PS Fleas are also an allergen. Treat her, your house and yard for fleas. Advantage and Frontline are the best. Keep treating through winter, keep flea populations from getting high.

Answer 8

If you dont want to give your dog drugs try alternative therapies for your dogs. I am studying this course at the moment and although I am at work I dont have my books on me, there are so many alternatives now days for our beloved pets. If you like you can email me my yahoo address and I will do some research for you. Otherwise have a look on the internet at alternative pet therapies, im sure you will find something or someone to help you (animal Naturopath), but it could be a number ofthings, diet, environment, stress....the list goes on!!

Answer 9

I have heard of NOTHING else with Benedryl being the favorite. I am surprised you are using claratin.. I have never asked a vet about that but if the vet said OK.. then try Claratin-D... YOu know, ON ME.. Claratin does absolutely NOTHING but Claratin-D works wonders on me.

Answer 10

Change his food ASAP, try something home made, like boiled chicken bones or something to chew on.
and try ARIES it an Allergy mendicine... i find it better then claritin