Our dog has terrible skin allergies, how can we help her?

Question

She itches and scratches like crazy. She does this wacky thing where she rubs her chin and neck back 'n fourth on the carpet. As a result, she's started to take off fur and skin. She also gnaws at her paws, causing them to either bleed or become irriated like her chin.

We've tried feeding her a teaspoon of oil, and then rubbing her down w/ the stuff a bit, but that doesn't help for more than, like, 5 minutes.

Suggestions?

Answer 1

My dog has horrible skin allergies. He just turned one and as of now we know he has grass pollen and oak tree pollen allergies.

First we tried special allergy shampoos.

After several infections and anti-biotic treatments... the dog scratches so much he tear open his skin which then gets infection...

We now use a prescription spray... it is called Genesis and made by Vibrac. It cost for me about $20.00. This is best for short hair dogs.

If the dog's allergies are severe the vet may put them on a short term predinisone treatment. Prednisone can have very bad side effects so for me this is a last result.

My vet said to give 25mg of benadryl per 25lbs. So for instance my dog is 50lbs so I give him 2. This can be done 2-3 times a day. I know that seems like a lot of benadryl but dogs seem to tolerate it well. It also has a sedative effect which can be good if your dog can't sleep due to itching.

Allergies could be so many things food and environment.

If you have the money you can also get special desensatization shots.

Answer 2

We have a pug and he has bad allergies. It affects his skin, his hair starts to thin and fall out and he lickes his paws all the time.
When we took him to the vet, we found out he had developed a yeast infection in the pads of his paws and ears. We put him on an anti-biotic and an anti-histamine called Temeril. Benedryl didn't help him, tho I think it does help some dogs. I still give him 1/2 tablet for maintanence every day. I also have him on lamb and rice instead of chicken and rice. He is doing nicely now.

Answer 3

I also have a dog with many allergies.

Most allergies can be a result of several environmental (carpet, pollens, shampoo, grass) or nutritional (corn, soy, beef, mystery food products in dog foods) factors.

In my experience, changing your dog's food to a super-premium recipe may help alleviate some of the scratching. We currently feed our Labrador Blue Buffalo's White Fish and Sweet Potato formula. Switching protein sources to non-traditional meats (switching away from beef, chicken and lamb, for example) can also assist her body in battling hystamines.

Blue Buffalo, Nutro Natural and Nature's Recipe are just a few brands which are readily available at stores such as PetSmart. They will likely cost more than you may be used to, but the investment is well worth it as you will be feeding less, reducing itchiness, feeding your dog identifiable ingredients which are wholesome, often organic/"natural" and easily digested.

If her skin is itching, you may also try adding fish oils, olive oil and/or flax seed oils to her food. These are excellent sources of Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids and will help keep her skin healthy and her fur from drying out. They are generally available at your local health food store, Wal-Mart and Costco in bulk containers.

Some people suggest trying a vitamin c supplement - to help rid her body of anti-oxidents. We are currently trying Ester-C (it is supposed to be the most efficient source of Vit. C).

Be patient with these changes - it can take up to 8 weeks to see a change. If she's absolutely being driven mad, you might want to take her to the vet at which time they may prescribe a steroidal - be careful and do your research. Dogs, as with humans, can be succeptable to various complications stemming from long-term steroid use.

Good luck and do your research. The internet is a valuable source of information, or you can email me if you would like to discuss this further.

Answer 4

Sever skin allergies are often the carpet cleaners or grasses. if your carpet wasn't cleaned, and she doesn't go on grass, I would suspect her problem is internal..from her kibble...
Change her food to a hypo-allergenic food from Solid Gold, or Wellness, or Wysong...These are excellent kibbles and canned foods, and your pet will get the optimum nutrition, as well as the hypo-allergenic quality ingredients. you can find at least one of those at most local pet supply shops. They cost more per bag, but less per month, as dogs eat less.

If she isn't better after about 3 weeks of the new kibble, then you should make an appointment with your vet

Answer 5

One of our miniature schnauzers had the same problem. We took him to a veterinarian specialist and had the allergy testing performed to identify what, if any, the specific allergies were. Turned out he was allergic to a certain type of grass, hay and a few other natural things that were all treated with medicine. The medicine worked and now our schnauzer doesn't itch any more. Talk to your vet about having him tested for allergies. Good luck.

Answer 6

go to pet smart and by a hypo alergenic shampoo, or u can try the good old fashioned way and use oatmeal. Oil will do nothing but clog the pores and possibly make it worse. Good luck

Answer 7

bath her in shampoo containing wheat. Give her benadryl at the rate of 1/2 mg/lb dog body weight every 8 hrs.

Answer 8

1mg. of Benadryl/lb of her weight every 4-6 hours for allergies..for instance a 25 pound dog would take 25 mg of Benadryl or it's generic equivalent.

Answer 9

Take her to a vet please, to make her feel better, and aleviate your anxiety on watching her discomfort. My mommy has special shampoo for me when I get seasonal grass allergies and I start to scratch, I'm also allergic to fleas... Yes, I'm a dog with computer privlidges.. please excuse my spelling, I'm only 3 years old...Cheers Bogey

Answer 10

Veterinarian....Or try to find out what the dog is allergic to ...