Dog with Allergies?

Question

My pom/border collie mix, age 12, 23lbs., began sneezing and bouts of wheezing (sounds like a good old-fashioned asthma attack!) when we moved from Texas to Nevada 3 years ago. I took her to the vet's when the wheezing episodes came too often to rule out CHF, collapsed trachea, etc. She had tests, x-rays, etc., nothing found but a UTI, resolved. Still sneezes and has wheezing attacks not so often. (I say she has allergies!). Otherwise, fit, trim, active and happy. The bad part (other than wiping her nose from time to time!) is the top of her little black nose is dry and cracked, but she licks off anything I put on it to ease the dryness. I don't want to give her benedryl for the sneezing because I'm worried it will make her nose worse. What can I put on it that won't get licked off right away but will still give her some relief? Thanks!

Answer 1

why are you worried that benadryl will make her nose worse? The dryness most likely is caused from her constantly licking it after a sneeze. (Kind of like how our lips get chapped if we lick them) Benadryl may or may not help the sneezing, but it is worth a try. If it does not help then vets carry a product (by prescription only) that is just like benadryl, just stronger than diphenhydramine by itself. A dog her size can have 1 benadryl tab twice a day, 3 times at most. However, if it makes her too drowsy then only do it twice a day. When you wipe her nose is the discharge clear or yellowish? If it has color to it, then you have bacteria going on and she will need some antibiotics, switch vets if you dont think you are getting the highest care the dog needs. Good luck!

Answer 2

There are only a few causes of year-round canine allergies:

Food. This is the first thing many people think of as causing canine allergies. But it's actually one of the least likely. True food allergies are uncommon in dogs, with only about 15% of allergic dogs being allergic to food.

A dog may be sensitive to a protein source in his food, or to the protein part of grains such as wheat, soy or corn. Wheat gluten is another one which frequently causes some dog itching and scratching problems. If you have an itchy dog, avoid foods with soy.

Try switching to a food with a different protein source, or with a different grain content than you've been feeding. Test this food for 6 weeks and see if there's any difference. If food does seem to be the problem, rotate different foods through your dog's diet. Canine allergies develop after exposure to an ingredient, and the more exposure, the more likely an allergy will develop.

If your dog is itching, another food-related cause may be mold. Molds grow on wheat, corn, and peanut hulls used in petfood. These produce toxic by-products called mycotoxins, which can suppress the immune system, leading to dog itching problems.

Mold. If you live somewhere humid, or if your kitchen and bathroom are unventilated, mold spores may be causing your canine to itch.

Mold grows wherever and whenever there is moisture. Depending on where you live and what your drainage conditions are like, this can be seasonal or year-round. The itching follows the mold growth.

If your house has ever flooded, or if the basement gets wet, you could be in for some nasty black mold called Stachybotros. In quantity, that one can sicken and kill dogs, children and adults, too.

Other, less toxic molds, such as Penicillium, are more common. Molds vary by region, but all can cause allergic reactions in people and animals.

What to do? Keep the humidity low in your house by running the air conditioner regularly. Fix any leaks. Use the exhaust fan in the bathroom after showering, and, when cooking, use the one over the stove (make sure it vents outside).

Check your air conditioning unit to make sure there's no rust buildup in the condenser pan (where the air blows over the coils and moisture condenses and drains out). Make sure the drain is unclogged, and pour a few tablespoons of bleach down the drain pipe every few months to keep it clean. To further reduce mold, install an electrostatic furnace filter and use it. (See details below.)

There's usually no need to clean the ducts, unless you've had a severe mold problem, or if the moisture situation hasn't been resolved.

Clean out mold, mildew and dust wherever you find it: bathrooms, mini-blinds, bookshelves, ceiling fan paddles, electronics.


Other animals. Yes, your dog may be allergic to your cat! Male and long-haired cats put out more allergen than female and shorthaired cats. The allergen is known as FelD1 (pronounced feldy-one by those in the know). This protein is found in cat saliva, and to a lesser degree, in their anal sacs. When the cat licks himself, the saliva dries and flakes off, then floats away.

Cat allergen is very lightweight, and very sticky. It sticks to walls, furniture, carpet and drapes. It's also a very potent allergen, and it's persistent: it'll stay active in a home environment for at least 10 years.
hope it helps!!

Answer 3

canines allergic reactions and cat allergic reactions are thoroughly diverse, yet that doesn't recommend you won't be allergic to the two. case in point, any time I handle a cat I would desire to bathe my hands today afterwords or the subsequent time I touch my face i'm going to critically worsen my eyes. If a cat scratches me, the scratch today welts up and gets super itchy. If I handle a dogs, then my reaction relies upon on the breed. oftentimes I exchange into crammed up, and with particular breeds my hands get slightly itchy. A dogs scratch seems to have no genuine result. in case you have any acquaintances who very own canines, bypass play with them to work out in case you react. once you're procuring from a breeder you could ask to have interaction with their canines, so which you would be responsive to precisely no remember if or not the breed will reason a issue.

Answer 4

Well it's expensive but any Idiot Veteranarian should be able to prescribe allergy medicine for dogs, Unless they don't do that in the good o'l state of Texas. My Golden Retriever had allergies before he died so yeah it's possible. Your dog is probably allergic to a certain type weed or wild grass that grows in your area therefore causing the allergies. Also consider the dry air and Climate a factor to your Dog's Health.

Answer 5

She's probably alergic to sage or dust - Both very common in Nevada! (But hey, at least you don't have to worry about fleas anymore!).

Try Bag Balm - It's a salve (You can get it at Petsmart). It was originally developed to ease the dryness/cracking on cows utters.

Answer 6

How about vaseline?
Yes, you are describing allergies! We had a dog at our shelter that had horrible allergies and is taking allergy shots. It is helping him tremendously. What also helps him is sleeping in a room with a portable humidifier with a HEPA filter. That may ease the dry nose and help with the allergies. Good luck!

Answer 7

very long hair is nice but requires servicing and u have to grow that out for a long time

Answer 8

I prefer hair that will is shoulder length or longer, And also since that men who like ladies are more often then not right, they like long hair because this looks more feminine, as most guys have short hair.

Answer 9

Visit http://www.dogsvets.net and seek advice of veterinarians for free

Answer 10

Benedryl is ok, she might become a little drowsy though. Here is the dosage: Benadryl capsules (25 mg): capsules (not liquid or gels) for allergic reactions and insect bites- bee stings - at the 1st sign of a reaction dose animal with this and get to a vet FAST! Dosage: 0 – 50: 1 tablet every 12 hrs; 50+ 2 of 25mg every 12 hrs.
You can have your dog allergy tested ask your vet.
Here is our clinic sheet on dog allergies:
Dogs, like humans, can also suffer from allergies. Itching of the skin is the most common symptom of a dog allergy. The respiratory tract can be affected causing coughing, sneezing, and/or wheezing. At times, the eyes and nose may develop a discharge. Also, the digestive system may be affected causing vomiting or diarrhea.
About 20 percent of the dogs in the United States suffers from some type of allergy, whether it be atopic dermatitis, flea allergy, food allergy, inhalant allergy, contact allergy, or bacterial allergy.
A Scratching puppy is certainly nothing to worry about – unless it is excessive and leads to coat loss, red skin, and ultimately infection. In that case, your puppy may be suffering from an allergy. Your vet can tell the difference between an allergy and normal canine behavior. If it is an allergy you’ll need to identify the allergen and then control that allergen or your puppy’s symptoms as best as you can. A puppy could be allergic to any number of things. In general, allergies fall into these categories:
•Inhalent allergies:
Just like humans, canine inhalant allergies are caused by pollens (tree, grass, and weed), dust mites, molds, and chemicals.
Although any pure bred or mutt can acquire inhalant allergies, the most common breeds that are affected include terriers (especially the West Highland white terrier, Skye terrier, Scottish terrier and Boston terrier), golden retrievers, poodles, dalmatians, German shepherds, Chinese Shar-peis, shih tzus, lhasa apsos, pugs, Irish setters, and miniature schnauzers.
The symptoms of an inhalant allergy include scratching, biting, chewing at feet and constant licking. The itching may be most severe on feet, flanks, groin, and armpits.
Inhalant allergies are often the reason for recurrent ear infections in your dog.
•Contact allergies:
Contact allergy is the least common of all the types of dog allergies. Some of the common contact allergens include flea collars, wood bedding, grass, plants, and sometimes chemicals.
•Bacterial Allergy
Several species of Staphylococcus (Staph) bacteria live on normal dog skin. Normally Staph does not cause a problem with its host, but some dogs develop an allergy to it.
With this type of allergy the dog develops areas of hair loss that look much like ring worm. These areas become infected and need to be treated with antibiotics. The Staph allergic dog usually has recurrent Staph infections.
•Flea allergies:
The most common form of canine allergy is flea allergy dermatitis. The flea itself is not the culprit in canine flea allergies. It is their saliva that causes the allergic reaction.
A skin allergy test can be preformed to determine if a dog is allergic to flea saliva. If it is, then a strict flea control regimen is required to reduce symptoms. Caution must be used however to make sure the chemicals in the flea preparations are not harmful to the dog.
•Food Allergies:
This is the first thing many people think of as causing canine allergies. But it’s actually one of the least likely. True food allergies are uncommon in dogs, with only about 15% of allergic dogs being allergic to food. A dog may be sensitive to a protein source in his food, or to the protein part of grains such as wheat, soy or corn. Wheat gluten is another one which frequently causes some dog itching and scratching problems.
Try switching to a food with a different protein source, or with a different grain content than you’ve been feeding. Test this food for 6 weeks and see if there’s any difference. If food does seem to be the problem, rotate different foods through your dog’s diet. Canine allergies develop after exposure to an ingredient, and the more exposure, the more likely an allergy will develop.
Another food related cause may be mold. Molds grow on wheat, corn, and peanut hulls used in petfood. These produce toxic by products called mycotoxins, which can suppress the immune system.
Dogs can become allergic to a food they have eaten for years which causes many people to over look the possibility of a food allergy.
Food allergies only account for 10 percent of allergy problems in dogs. Dogs often can not tolerate soy products, wheat, corn, beef, pork, chicken, milk, whey, eggs, fish, chemical preservatives, or artificial sugars in their food.
Determining the food allergen can be time consuming. First, eliminate all the possible allergens from the diet, by using a home made diet consisting of a protein and a starch the dog has not eaten before. Gradually add back, one at a time for a week, the ingredients of the dog food. If symptoms return, then the offending food allergen should be easily determined. Commercial dog foods can be found that do not contain the offending allergen.
Food sensitivities in a dog may manifest as itchy skin, scratching at ears, shaking of the head, licking and biting at the hind quarters or feet, rubbing faces on carpeting, ear inflammations, coughing, and rarely vomiting, diarrhea, flatulence, sneezing, asthma like symptoms, behavioral changes, seizures, gagging, and vomiting.
•Mold:
If you live somewhere humid, or if your kitchen and bathroom are unventilated, mold spores may be causing your canine to itch.
Mold grows wherever and whenever there is moisture. Depending on where you live and what your drainage conditions are like, this can be seasonal or year-round. The itching follows the mold growth.
If your house has ever flooded, or if the basement gets wet, you could be in for some nasty black mold called Stachybotros. In quantity, that one can sicken and kill dogs, children and adults, too. Other, less toxic molds, such as Penicillium, are more common. Molds vary by region, but all can cause allergic reactions in people and animals.
•Uncommon allergies:
Like hormonal hypersensitivity, in which a puppy is allergic to its own hormones.
•Other animals:
Yes, your dog may be allergic to your cat! Male and long-haired cats put out more allergen than female and shorthaired cats. The allergen is known as FelD1. This protein is found in cat saliva, and to a lesser degree, in their anal sacs. When the cat licks himself, the saliva dries and flakes off, then floats away.
Cat allergen is very lightweight, and very sticky. It sticks to walls, furniture, carpet and drapes. It's also a very potent allergen, and it's persistent: it'll stay active in a home environment for at least 10 years.
Best bet: bathe the cats regularly (monthly, if they'll tolerate it).
HEPA air filters have been shown to trap a large amount of the cat allergen which floats through the air.
•People:
That's right. Your dog may be allergic to you or other family members. People put out allergen, just like cats. It's in our skin, which flakes off throughout the day and night. (Extreme case: dandruff.) The owner of an allergy testing lab for animals told me that, at one time, 40% of dogs' blood tested by his lab indicated a probable allergy to human allergen.
The solution in this case: allergy shots.
•Other Dogs:
As with cats and people, other dogs, birds, and furry critters are possible allergy-inducers. Again, keeping everybody clean makes a difference. One other tidbit: Dogs who spend a lot of time outside can bring pollen in on their fur. One good shake and it spreads throughout the house. Keep them clean!
•Seasonal Dog Allergies:
This is the most common cause of dog itching and scratching. They usually develop after a couple of years of exposure, if they're going to develop at all.
Pinpointing the cause of seasonal allergies is best done with a "scratch test" at the vet's office. Pollen extracts are injected just under a shaved area of skin, and reactions are noted a few minutes later. This usually runs a few hundred dollars.
•Insects:
Summertime is bug season, and, when the temperature hits 80 degrees F., and the humidity hits 80%, mosquitos and fleas start to "pop." These pests bite, and their saliva gets injected under the skin. The body reacts to these alien proteins, and the skin becomes inflamed and itchy.
Spraying a permethrin fogger in the yard (I like Raid® Yard Guard) will kill these guys nicely. (Use sparingly around cats -- high doses of permethrin can kill them.) Be sure to spray shady areas and tall grass, where mosquitos and fleas hide.
I also recommend using one of the new wave of veterinary-sold flea products on your pets. Frontline Topspot®, and the Sentinel are very effective and safe for dogs with allergies. (Only occasionally will there be an allergic reaction where these products are applied.) Frontline also works on ticks. Sentinel is even better, controls flea populations, protects against heartworms, hookworm infections, removes and controls adult roundworm and whipworm infections.
•Atopic Dermatitis
An allergic skin disease of dogs, known as canine atopic dermatitis, is caused by the dog's immune system hypersensitivity to common substances in the environment, such as dust mites or molds.
The signs of atopic dermatitis usually appear within the first two years of a dog's life. If the dog begins to groom excessively, with licking or chewing of the paws, abdomen, and hind quarters, then it may suffer from atopic dermatitis. Also, check to see if the ears are reddened and hot to the touch.
A hidden sign that a dog is atopic is in the armpits, groin, or between the toes of the paws. Check to see if there is saliva staining. In light colored dogs, it appears as a red-brown staining. In chronic cases the skin, mostly in the abdomen, may change color from a pinkish, to angry red, to black mottling.
Flea allergy, food allergy, and parasitic infestations may mimic the symptoms of atopic dermatitis making it difficult to diagnose. Once fleas, foods, and parasitic infestations are eliminated as being the offending culprits, then allergy skin testing for dust mites, pollens, and molds may be done to determine what causes the dog's atopic dermatitis.

If you have any other questions let me know. I know its alot of info.