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by Rass on 11 May 2012 - 12:05
Dog allergies are an immune system issue and can be genetic. Usually the dog has allergic reactions to a number of allergens both in the environment and in the food. Changing the food and staying on the new food for at least 8 weeks MAY lower one or more thresholds so that the dog no longer scratches. It does not mean the dog was ONLY allergic to the food.. just that ALL the thresholds were lowered enough by this one change so the dog no longer exhibits symptoms. Allergies are frustrating to treat.
That being said, scratching can also be caused by Sarcoptic Mange Mites. I would spend money and take a dog this young to the vet and ask about this (and about allergies while at it). IF the dog has sarcoptic mange, skin scrapings do not always show the mite is present. The dog will show other symptoms, such as thickened skin at the ear margins and a pedal pinna reflex (the dog will reflexively scratch with a hind foot as you take the ear between thumb and forefinger and scratch it). IF the dog has those symptoms, then there is a good shot the dog has sarcoptic mange and the treatment is a shot of corticosteroid along with Revolution spot on followed by a second treatment in 14 days and then montly treatment from there on. The shot and the Revolution are prescription medications.
Oatmeal shampoo won't hurt, but likely won't help if you dog has systemic allergies (most allergic dogs do) and will do nothing for sarcoptic mange.
That being said, scratching can also be caused by Sarcoptic Mange Mites. I would spend money and take a dog this young to the vet and ask about this (and about allergies while at it). IF the dog has sarcoptic mange, skin scrapings do not always show the mite is present. The dog will show other symptoms, such as thickened skin at the ear margins and a pedal pinna reflex (the dog will reflexively scratch with a hind foot as you take the ear between thumb and forefinger and scratch it). IF the dog has those symptoms, then there is a good shot the dog has sarcoptic mange and the treatment is a shot of corticosteroid along with Revolution spot on followed by a second treatment in 14 days and then montly treatment from there on. The shot and the Revolution are prescription medications.
Oatmeal shampoo won't hurt, but likely won't help if you dog has systemic allergies (most allergic dogs do) and will do nothing for sarcoptic mange.
by fawndallas on 11 May 2012 - 21:05
Side Note: I had a dog that had seviere allergies to any poultry. Definitely talk to a vet. If allergies are suspected, here is my advice:
1. To see if it is a food allergy,
A) put the dog on a pure Lamb and Rice diet. From what I found out, these ingredients generally cause the least amount of allergies.
B) Keep on this diet for 6 - 8 weeks, then slowly add other foods. Best to add the human version, rather than as a dog food. Easier to pin point the allergy.
C) Studies show that beef is the most common allergy, then fish.
2. If it is an allergy, be very careful what the vet puts the dog on for the solution. Many meds over a long term cause other problems. Case:
My GSD/Lab/Chow mix was very allergic to any poultry and to grass. Determining the food allergy was a very long process and never fully resolved. During the worst of the allergies, my vet put her on steriods and an anahistimin (sp) to off set the reaction. Every time the reactions got bad, my dog went on the medication; which was about every 3 months. My vet and I talked about this to length because of the long term affects; kidney and liver issues mostly.
My dog only lived for about 5 years. Then her kidneys and liver started failing. I had to make the worst decision of my life; to give the dog lasting peace.
~~~~~~~
I did not tell this for dome and glome....Just to make you aware of the medication side affects. Sometimes the cure is worst than the disese.
1. To see if it is a food allergy,
A) put the dog on a pure Lamb and Rice diet. From what I found out, these ingredients generally cause the least amount of allergies.
B) Keep on this diet for 6 - 8 weeks, then slowly add other foods. Best to add the human version, rather than as a dog food. Easier to pin point the allergy.
C) Studies show that beef is the most common allergy, then fish.
2. If it is an allergy, be very careful what the vet puts the dog on for the solution. Many meds over a long term cause other problems. Case:
My GSD/Lab/Chow mix was very allergic to any poultry and to grass. Determining the food allergy was a very long process and never fully resolved. During the worst of the allergies, my vet put her on steriods and an anahistimin (sp) to off set the reaction. Every time the reactions got bad, my dog went on the medication; which was about every 3 months. My vet and I talked about this to length because of the long term affects; kidney and liver issues mostly.
My dog only lived for about 5 years. Then her kidneys and liver started failing. I had to make the worst decision of my life; to give the dog lasting peace.
~~~~~~~
I did not tell this for dome and glome....Just to make you aware of the medication side affects. Sometimes the cure is worst than the disese.
by Eldee on 13 May 2012 - 03:05
I wouldn't think a food allergy would just be face specific. The black flies this year have been horrible and they go for the ears. Just a thought.
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