Allergy question about Boxer?

Question

16 week old Boxer, has had mild hives in the past on his belly. Those were stress-related (appeared after the vet and when separated from me for lengthy periods of time).

Thursday morning, he was covered in whelps, basically head to toe, and had scratched an area raw. Was given injections of steroid, benadryl, and antibiotics. Sent home with cephalexin 2x daily. This morning, he was worse, itchy all over.

I have not changed his food since he came home at 8wks. Haven't changed detergents or household cleaners. I am at a loss. Nothing has changed in his environment. Vet says it is unlikely we will figure out what is causing this.

Any recommendations/personal experience out there?

He is an indoor dog except to potty and playtime/walks.

He's given benadryl every 6 hrs per vet. And the whelps are definitely not mosquito bites, or any other insect for that matter.

Answer 1

Take him to a vet who specializes in allergies. They can do testing (just like they do on people) to find out exactly what is wrong. Don't wait - allergies tend to get worse and can make the poor dog's life really miserable. Many dogs are allergic to grass, wheat, and beef. If there isn't one near you, check out the website at the Cornell Vet school & good luck with the poor dog...
http://diaglab.vet.cornell.edu/


Many skin problems in Boxers and Dobermans are a result of stress and anxiety; they often suck on their flanks and chew themselves up in a boring or unpredictable environment. Make sure the dog is getting plenty of attention and strenuous exercise every day. They are very smart dogs, and need training to keep their brains busy. Read some great books on training - these are the books that I recommend to my students; you can get them on Amazon.com
What All Good Dogs Should Know – Volhard http://www.volhard.com/
Good Owners, Great Dogs - Brian Kilcommins
Dog Tricks : Eighty-Eight Challenging Activities for Your Dog from World-Class Trainers by Haggerty and Benjamin
Don't Shoot the Dog - Pryor
Training Your Dog: The Step by Step Method - Volhard
Dog Problems - Benjamin
Cesar's Way - Cesar Millan
Also, watch the Dog Whisperer on the National Geographic Channel. Cesar Millan is the best trainer I've ever seen on TV.
http://www.dogpsychologycenter.com/

Answer 2

Look at the ingredients of your dog food. Many dogs develop allergies after a while to corn. My dog did. Try a bland food, "science diet" or a dog food with rice as the base. Another possibilty is thyroid disease. If you change foods, you will have to mix the old food 1/2 and 1/2 for 2-3 days, so as not to cause diarrhea.

Answer 3

try giving benadryl at the rate of 1/2 mg per lb. dogs body weight every 8 hours give dog bath with wheat based shampoo for dogs

Answer 4

no longer in all probability. short haired canines surely shed rather, the dimensions has no longer something to do with laying off, this is the form of hair. additionally, short haired canines usually get multiple dander, it quite is likewise undesirable for hypersensitive reactions. i could advise you no longer try this, it may be undesirable for the domestic dog in case you had to grant him decrease back because of the fact your hypersensitive reactions have been too undesirable. canines that are often extra proper for hypersensitive reaction victims: poodles, bichons, shih-tzus, lhasa apsos, yorkies, silkies. No canines is 'hypoallergenic'. i be attentive to individuals who're allergic even to poodles and bichons that have an rather LOW fee of hypersensitive reactions, yet are actually not hypoallergenic. hypersensitive reactions are brought about via hair, dander, and saliva, and all breeds have all 3.

Answer 5

My dog had a few grass allergies at about that age. The grass where to took him to potty was the long, yellow/dead type. I don't know what kind of grass you have or where you take him to potty, or play, but that might be it...

... or mosquito bites???