She scratches and bites until she bleeds, her fur is falling out, and her face is turning black. She's miserable and can't sleep.
Can I put her on Benedryl ? She was on Predisone but I heard that it is not safe. She is 13 years old.
2006-12-23 07:23:58 · 9 answers · asked by goalaska 4 in Pets ➔ Dogs
I have the same problems and I hated the Predisone, and you are right it is not healthy. It diminishes their immune system and does not solve the problems. I hate the Benedryl because it makes them so sleepy. I feed my dogs a purely Hollistic diet so I started to treatmy dogs allergies holistically and it is going pretty good. My dog is feeling better and does not have all the side effects. Try to find one of those all natural pet stores in your area they carry the stuff. An allergy is the body's intense reaction to an allergen, and as time goes on the immune system gets weaker and weaker. So you have to build it back up to help the body fight. I started to give my dog Yucca- it helps with allergies amd joint problems. I just add it to the food. Omega 3 supplements help, but stay away from Omega 6. I mainly use the yucca with it is in liquid form, Azmira make Yucca Intensive and they reccomend it to be used in conjunction with Aller'g Free, which is by Azmira Holistic Care. The Aller'g Free replaces the Benerdryl. Everything is all natural. You can check out their website www.azmira.com I also use Richards Organics Incredible Skin Sray. The stuff is absolutely amazing. It smells great by it stops the itching like nothing else. It totally soothers the hot spot and other extremely itchy area. I have used everything and this stuff is inredible not to mention it has natural antibiotic properties that prevent infections from the dog scratching so much.
2006-12-23 08:21:21 · answer #1 · answered by TritanBear 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have a dog with severe allergies as well.
At 13 years old, use the prednisone. It would be more worrisome with a young dog, like mine, but it is the only thing keeping him going.
Please put her back on prednisone, have the vet moniter the dosing to find the right dose. It could be a couple mgs a day or so.
Benadryl tabs are ok. Break a 25 mg tab in half, so you give 12.5 mgs. Try giving it every 12 hours and see how it does.
But honestly, if she is that miserable the prednisone is the way to go. She is a senior and you do not need to worry about long term side effects. Just give her a good life now.
Oh, use an oatmeal shampoo or dermadex(lotion) from the vet.
Also, have the vet check the skin out, there may be a staff infection that would clear up with antibiotics. It is pretty common to have that when the dog is already itching like crazy.
Also, your vet can give you some cortisone spray to spray on her itchy spots. You should also consider a soft e-collar until the skin is looking better.
2006-12-23 07:38:24 · answer #2 · answered by dog's best friend 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Did the prednisone help? It does have side effects but most vets will use the lowest effective dose to avoid problems. In the most severe cases prednisone is the only way to go, the dogs comfort and quality of life is most important. Yes you can give benadryl, the dosage for a dog is higher than in people it is 1mg per pound, up to 3 times a day. So if she is 75 pounds give 75mg every 8 hours. Benadrly is very safe but not always highly effective, but if it helps use it. There are many different things that could help your dog, many involve the vet, and she may have a skin infection if she has chewed herself raw and will need antibiotics. You may consider a hypo-allergenic diet. Make sure she is on flea control, as flea allergies are common. Shampooing your dog in an allergy relief shampoo can provide temporary relief. Good luck.
2006-12-23 08:03:27 · answer #3 · answered by jungles_fury 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have found that the following things help.
1. A bath with oatmeal shampoo, or a shampoo prescribed by your vet that will soothe her itchiness.
2. Grizzly oil, or an oil with Omega oils will help. Salmon oil, cod liver oil or a supplement. Ask your Vet for recommendations if you can't find Grizzly salmon oil. Feed her according to weight.
3. She might have a dietary allergy. Switch her slowly to a diet with minimal ingredients. Corn is often an allergy inducer- Dick Patten's duck and potato is a good substitute, or BLUE Duck and brown rice but you might find others in your pet store- look for something with the first ingredient that is meat (chicken, beef, duck, lamb not by products). The starch ought to be from a non corn source- oatmeal, potato, brown rice are options.
4. Please do take your dog to a vet. He might be able to stem some of her allergies.
I hope your dog feels better.
2006-12-23 07:59:35 · answer #4 · answered by imported_beer 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Vitamin B 1, 500 mg strength, twice per day for 10 days. Buy Solgar, it is the best.
There should be some improvement. Then drop me a line for further advice.
13 years old is no too old, I have a 16 years old in tip-top condition and with a perfect coat.
2006-12-23 07:35:36 · answer #5 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I use Etiderm shampoo provided over-the-counter at my vets office for my minature poodle who has severe skin allergies. It gets off the dead skin cells and also provides a barrier to help keep what they are allergic too away from their skin. I also use a lotion for allergies provided by my vet to put on after that for the itching.
2006-12-23 07:30:04 · answer #6 · answered by LYNN W 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
take her to the vet! thats the best solution. do not give her benadryl or anything similar. dogs need different medication than humans.
2006-12-23 07:48:17 · answer #7 · answered by Danigirl 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You need to have a vet take a look at her asap and decide what would be the best thing to give her.
2006-12-23 07:29:17 · answer #8 · answered by Chihiro00 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
BULLETS....................just bullets
2006-12-23 07:31:52 · answer #9 · answered by jackfm2006 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋