What can I give my dog for her allergies?

Question

My dog is allergic to fleas and is supposed to have an allergy shot once a month, but it costs me nearly $100 each month. They have a $45 fee just for putting her on the table and the shot itself costs $50. I can't afford to pay $100 a month. She gets a real bad rash on her stomach and the top of her butt when she doesn't get her shot. Is there anything I can do for her?

She gets bathed once every 2 weeks with hypo-allergenic flea shampoo. I use flea spray in the house and around the yard to keep them off her (the vet insisted that I did this). The only other vets around (besides the one I go to) are 60 miles from me.
I've asked them to just give her the shot, but they say that they have to exam her every month before they can give her the shot.

Answer 1

You don't say if you treat her against fleas monthly with something like Frontline Plus. If not, you should be doing so.

You can also use Kennel Dip which is a concentrate that you mix in water and wet her down with that as per directions on the bottle about once a month.

You can ask your vet to train you so you can do the shot at home, but he may not agree. If he doesn't, or if you're not comfortable giving shots, then you should try to find a vet who services a lot of small farm animals. They usually aren't so expensive. You're vet is a high dollar vet.

Addendum: Tell your vet you can't afford $100/mo and ask him for constructive suggestions.
AND
After reading your added notes, I suggest using Diazanon granules on the yard, instead of flea & tick spray. Diazanon will be more effective. It's stronger.

You should probably spend some time bug bombing your home. Since your dog is so sensitive, bug bomb the house every 4 days and repeat it 4 to 6 times. That way, if any fleas have jumped off her in the house, they'll finally die. After you bug bomb, go back to the spray, but the bug bomb will kill some fleas that you will miss by spraying.

Also.. please try the Kennel Dip. It helps a lot.

Try giving the dog Omega 3 Fish Oil capsules once daily. It may well help and is worth trying for a month to see if it helps.

For 4 years I had to take my dogs to a vet 55mi from home, so I know what that entails.

Answer 2

The best way to treat a flea allergy is to get rid of ALL fleas. The treatment you're currently using is not going to do this - don't bother with flea shampoos. As well as not working, constant bathing is more likely to dry the dog's skin out.

I'm surprised the vet hasn't told you this and recommended a proper flea treatment regime for you. Maybe they prefer the $100 a month, not all vets have scruples I suppose! You should not have to pay the consult fee every single month, and if you implement a proper flea treatment regime you shouldn't have to.

Get some Frontline Plus drops, make sure they get on the dog's skin. Get a proper spray for your house, like Indorex, Acclaim, Staykil or Advantage, or Skoosh. For full cover, you could get some Program tablets, which will sterilise fleas too. Using this regime will keep all fleas away - no more injections!

Chalice

Answer 3

Treat her for the fleas and bathe in a hypoallergenic, soap free shampoo.

I'm guessing that since you are getting shots she has a serious allergy. Why not see if the vet will teach you how to give the shot and then you can do it at home.

Answer 4

There's some stuff called Calm Coat that helps relieve the itching after insect bites. It doesn't do anything to prevent the bites but it just might help her feel better between baths.

I recommend a monthly flea preventative too. Also, if you have carpet, it might be worth considering getting rid of it. Fleas thrive in carpet.

Answer 5

find a cheaper vet- you are being overcharged.Ask for the shot with no exam.They should have a vet tech that gives shots.Your vet is ripping you off.

Answer 6

my dog has allergies and the vet told me to give him benadryll you just need to ask the vet how much you should give her