What can we do for our dog who is apparently allergic to everything?

Question

He's a 2 year old Jack Russell Terrier. His skin is always red (he's almost pure white) and we can never get rid of the fleas. We have tried everything that we can think of. He's been wearing one of those cones around his neck for almost a year so he can't cause sores on his legs. He gets hives periodically. I need to find something that makes him feel better!

Answer 1

In addition to the other suggestions you've received (Do NOT use cortisone shots!), I would switch to "All free" laundry detergent and fabric softeners (Dye and Perfume free).

Try a product called Bag Balm on the sores. It's a medicated salve that will help the itching and help to heal the sores at the same time. It's 100% safe for him and you can find it at larger pet shops or feed stores.

Answer 2

The first thing you have to do is get rid of the fleas. He will never get better until you do. Go to the vet and get Capstar - it will do a one-time kill on the fleas and then start him on Frontline Plus or Advantage monthly. Then get a professional to treat your house for fleas. It's worth it and they guarantee their work.

Consider food and environmental allergens as a possibility. I feed my allergic dog a brand called California Natural and it is made by the same people that make Innova and it is formulated for allergic dogs. I would try making a food change - it really helped my dog a lot. Fillers, dyes and certain grains can really make them miserable.

Despite it all, my dog also gets seasonal allergies from grass and other pollens so certain times of year, I give him benadryl. Ask your vet for the appropriate dose for your JRT. Bathing on a weekly or biweekly basis can help remove allergens from the coat.

If all else fails, find a veterinary dermatologist. They are not easy to find. Your vet may be able to recommend one, or if not, find the closest veterinary teaching hospital to you and see if they have one or can refer you. I had a friend with a highly allergic dog and this is where she finally got some answers.

Good luck to you - allergies are such a pain.

Answer 3

What exactly have you tried for the fleas? Proper treatment, from a vet?

If the dog is allergic, you need to attack the flea problem from 3 different directions. A spot-on for the animal (do NOT bath him, it will not help his skin and will inactivate the spot-on), a spray for your house and preferably Program to sterilise any last fleas that might have escaped the net. I recommend any veterinary spot-on for the dog, like Frontline or Revolution, and a proper veterinary spray for the house.

I urge you to work with a vet to help your dog. If it's not just fleas he's allergic to, you'll need several visits to a vet to find out exactly what else he's allergic to and how to treat it. There is a blood test available (they will most likely have to send his blood to an external lab for this one) that can tell you exactly what food ingredients and plants the dog is allergic to, so these can be avoided. Don't let the dog just keep wearing a collar forever!

Chalice

Answer 4

1) Fleas: you CAN get rid of them with a good flea bath and Frontline every THREE weeks without stopping (even in the dead of winter). Board him for a day or two at your vet or a good boarding kennel or with a friend and spray the bejeesus out of your home, yard, doghouse, and anywhere he roams for fleas.

2) Food: JRTs are notorious for food allergies. Talk to your vet about a limited ingredient (aka hypoallergenic) diet. Try Royal Canin's IVD Venison and Potato (or Duck and Potato), or Purina's H/A or Hill's Z/D Ultra. (Do NOT feed him foods with any ingredients that are not also in his food. This means no cookies or table scraps unless it is the same, with no additional ingredients, as the food you choose for him)

3) Environmental: for allergies to inhalants or skin contact allergies, bathe him frequently to remove allergens from the skin. Talk to your doctor about antihistamine and Omega-3 fatty acid therapy to help relieve histamine release causing his skin to itch so badly.

Do all of these things diligently and without fail and you will find he will heal and suffer much less. Keep the floor around your eating areas vacuumed so he cannot scrounge for scraps that will make him break out. Keep other pets' foods out of his reach, and when he breaks out and starts scratching, see your vet asap for treatment. Occasional cortisone and antibiotic treatments will still be necessary for those instances when he is exposed to an allergen so he does not suffer severe skin allergy dermatitis and infection.

BEWARE 'College mom's' answer- depending on cortisone EVERY time he itches will damage his liver and endocrine system, which can cause permanent and fatal illnesses. Any vet who still uses cortisone injections as the first line of attack against allergic reactions is either lazy, uninterested, uncaring, or has given up the fight against allergies. The path of least resistance only leads to disaster and illness for your pet.

Also 'Dog Trainer's answer is incomplete, dogs can be allergic to ANY ingredient in dog foods, there is no 'most common' food allergy.

Answer 5

I had a cocker client at my kennel that had extreme skin irritation and hair lose and I sent her to a vet that does acupuncture with remarkable results. She was on the verse of putting this dog down, but in 1 month this dog was completely recovered. This vet was in Houston, but I'm sure there is one here. I would give it a try. It has long term results. Good luck!!!!

Answer 6

First of all, look at your dogs diet. If your dog food contains corn, wheat or soy these are the most common causes of allergies in dogs! (See link below for a holistic dog food.)
Also, be careful when exposing your dog to the sun. You may need to purchase some dog sun screen to protect your dog from sunburn.

Answer 7

Switch foods. Go with a Raw diet if possible, if not go with something that is grain free, human grade, and organic, in that order of importance.

Answer 8

1. research on raw feeding and DO it.
2. use flea prevention meds Ie : Revolution, K9 Advantage
This is a torture for a dog.
Best of luck.

Answer 9

have you tried cortizone injections with the vet? worked wonders on our dog he used to scratch his fur off and had scabs on his back.

Answer 10

Give him to the shelter!