Update: The itchy dog with skin allergies - Page 1

It's been about a month since I posted about my constantly itchy dog and I wanted to give you all (plus specifically to those members who were so helpful with their time and advice) an update.  Maybe my notes here can help someone else.  Life has improved for my dog...in fact, right now he is lying down and taking a peaceful afternoon nap and not scratching or biting himself.  Don't get me wrong...it's not perfect...there are still some itchy times and days for him, but things are better.

The biggest news for him and me is that he has not had a recurrence of staph pyoderma since he finished his last round of antibiotics in early April.  And now it is almost June.  For him, that is fantastic because from last September to this past early April he had been on numerous rounds of antibiotics to try and kill off the pyoderma.  Clavamox for about 6 weeks did the trick, finally.  He is also off prednisone completely for about 3 weeks now, and his itching has not increased.  May we never have to do steroids for skin issues again!

First, I changed his food from Royal Canin to Natures Variety LID turkey formula.  The new food is great and does not contain potatoes or sweet potatoes.  After reading up about systemic yeast infections and seeing him get yeasty ears as well as start chewing his paws this past winter, I am so happy to make that food change.  The ears have been clearing up and he's leaving the paws alone now.  Nevertheless, I plan on getting a Nutriscan test done to get a list of foods that he is reactive to and also not reactive to.

Second, I've continued with probiotics and digestive enzymes.  In addition, he gets coconut oil and a multivitamin in the morning with half his daily food. In the evening, I give him fish oil with vitamin E plus I added a teaspoon of kelp from Wholistic Organics (K9 Power).  I like the fact that kelp brings extra trace minerals through a food source plus thyroid support.  BTW, his thyroid lab results came back normal after initially registering low on the range.  The lab my vet used tested TSH and Free T4.  From now on, I'll be insisting as well that we submit future thyroid tests to Dr. Dodds' lab.

(I have hesitated to specifically add extra zinc and selenium supplements as I didn't want to add too much too fast, but adding those supplements plus COQ10 or ubiquinol are my next things to look into and possibly add).

On the whole, he has good days mixed with itchier days.  I do intend to give quercetin with bromelain a try in August before the fall season sets in with September and October.  That was when his skin problems really exploded last year.  If I can just improve things to a seasonal issue and then successfully manage that seasonal issue, I will be ecstatic.

On another note, I am a little apprehensive that he is due for his Rabies vaccine in July.  On the 3 year schedule, he is also due for the core vaccines that most vets recommend.  But my vet will support me on not getting boosters for the core vaccines.  But the rabies vaccine is a different story.  My dog's license is up for renewal this July as well, and Animal Control will insist on the Rabies certificate.

So that's where we're at right now.  Thank you, again, to TIG, Blitzen, Jyl, and all the other members who gave me help.  I know my dog is healthier and continuing to improve in just the 4 weeks that have passed since you all provided me with advice and knowledge.
 

Excellent news! Great progress in a short time. Good job!

Good that you seem to be keeping things sort of under control.

My GSD is just having another outbreak of ulcerated sores between her pads, made worse by her licking them throughout the night before I noticed them. I have been reading about a new drug which is meant to be excellent. It's called Apoquel. Reports I have read seem very favourable so far. http://www.zoetis.com/category/apoquel

I am ringing my vet this morning to see if he will prescribe Apoquel for me to try on my dog and if he knows of any disadvantages in using it. One downfall I am coming across is that the drug is apparently in short supply due to it's success...

That sounds very promising.

Hi Spooks. Sorry to learn of your dog's itchy paws.  If you search online for Dr. Karen Becker, she has a simple remedy (vinegar and water are 2 ingredients) for a foot soak that helps relieve the itchiness of the paws.  Regarding Apoquel...yes, I think this is a hugely promising medicine for itchy dogs.  My vet called Zoetis back in April and was told the drug would not be available to new patients until Spring 2015!!!  That information is what prompted me to seek help from PDB members and read articles by Dr. Karen Becker and Dr. Jean Dodds and seek a management routine for my dog.  We may have to still go on Apoquel someday and I will be glad when that is an option because it is a more promising alternative to Atopica and steroids.  Good luck with this flare up with your dog's paws.  Will she tolerate wearing a Comfy Cone?  My dog puts up with wearing one in order to keep him from bothering a hotspot.  You can find it on Amazon or a well stocked pet supply store.

Hi Zenit2010,

Another product you can try is Profile from PupSup (http://www.pupsup.com/).

For the past 2 years, during the spring/summer/fall, my dog would get really bad hives and welts.  Knock on wood, I have him on the the Profile, Hyla Sport and 1 tbs of coconut oil and so far nothing.  And he's been lying on the grass.  Something I couldn't let him do last year.

Sonia

Yeah, rarasisboombah.  Congratulations.  I am impressed with your accomplishments for this dog.  Please document your findings and share if you can for other members that it might help,  Thx for posting results  Nan

Another product you can try is Profile from PupSup (http://www.pupsup.com

The on;y thing I do not like about this supplement is that it has Flax seeds in it... dogs can not convert the flax to ALA.... I personally would not use it with a dog that has bad allergies.

Very happy to hear that your dog is doing so well... I am glad that some of the informaiton I sent you helped! It sure has done WONDERS for my dog.

Hi Sonia,

Thanks for the suggestion about Profile.  I checked it out today, but like Jyl mentions, flax supplements are probably not a good idea for my dog.  We need the Omega 3's, but I have to consider that some dogs are allergic or at least intolerant of flax in the food.  This might or might not be the case for him.  But given his particular health history, I can't take a chance.

But I am happy that you have seen results with your dog with the coconut oil and the Profile supplement.  Can you share with us what food you feed your dog?

As luck would have it, my vet was away yesterday. Will try again today but I will struggle trying to find a stockist of Apoquel.

Zenit2010, she won't tolerate a cone at all but she is good wearing kiddies/babies socks especially the Baby Pop-Ons. I put EAB tape on so they don't slip off.  They are pure cotton. While I am at home I don't bother, but if I go out and during the night I put socks on her.

I will look up Dr Karen Becker for the vinegar mixture.

These pop-ons are great too if you have have a dog that scratches a hot-spot, stops the claws making the wound worse.