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by Caz2 on 08 July 2012 - 15:07
Can anyone tell me if a dogs immune system can over come Grass allergies?
My boy is 11months old, had to bouts of Grass Allergies hives/itching/off food and generally miserable with it... both times he had been on grass twice within 5 days..
The last time was not as sever as previous attack and didn't last anywhere near as long, though since the first time his food has been changed, I have not taken veterinary advice due to NOT wanting to go down the "Steroid" path.. I'm hoping changing his diet and allowing him to build up his own immunity by gradual contact might be the answer.... ????
I have read much on Apple Vinegar Cider along with Garlic to aid the Immune system in a more natural way, would be grateful for any advise!
My boy is 11months old, had to bouts of Grass Allergies hives/itching/off food and generally miserable with it... both times he had been on grass twice within 5 days..
The last time was not as sever as previous attack and didn't last anywhere near as long, though since the first time his food has been changed, I have not taken veterinary advice due to NOT wanting to go down the "Steroid" path.. I'm hoping changing his diet and allowing him to build up his own immunity by gradual contact might be the answer.... ????
I have read much on Apple Vinegar Cider along with Garlic to aid the Immune system in a more natural way, would be grateful for any advise!
by EuroShepherd on 08 July 2012 - 16:07
Maybe, maybe not. Very good that you decided to not go the steroid route.
What did you change his food to?
Raw apple cider vinegar with the "mother" is an excellent way to strengthen the immune system. Also pre-biotics and pro-biotics (raw apple cider vinegar with the "mother" is actually a pre-biotic.) Freshly crushed garlic can help too.
A freshly prepared raw diet from organic sources (and humanely, pastured raised, grass-fed meat) will be the absolute best way to provide your dog what it needs to have a strong immune system.
Do you know if the grass he's been on has been treated with any kind of chemical or fertilizers?
How often is he exposed to grass?
Giving a dog the optimum environment possible gives it the best chance to overcome allergies, but it is not an absolute gaurantee that it's allergies will disappear.
(optimum environment includes air quality, minimal contact with harmful chemicals, quality of diet, quality of water, minimal negative stressors, limiting vaccinations, medicines, etc.)
by Pharaoh on 08 July 2012 - 22:07
My first German Shepherd showed his allergies around the same age.
I had him tested so that I knew what I was facing. He also had a number of food allergies (soy, flax seed and oil, safflower and other "healthy" oils) and environmental allergies (dust mites, mold and grasses).
By 5 years old, he could not get through the winter without steroid shots, steroid pills and antihistamines. He was in misery.
At that point, the only good quality dog food (Anmar) that he could safely eat was discontinued.
I very reluctantly switched him to raw food that spring. At first I just gave him chicken backs and then expanded from there. The first winter on raw food he only needed antihistimines. Then, it switched to antihistimines as needed, only occasionally. By two years after the switch, there were no symptoms any more. He could even eat the occasional dog cookie at stores without the extreme reaction to soy and flax in the cookies. I just didn't keep that stuff at home. He had become tolerant to an extent.
He died at 13 and had a great happy life.
My veterinarian was shocked and amazed by the progression to no symptoms at all. She switched her own dogs to raw feeding.
Good luck and I hope you find a solution.
Michele, Pharaoh and Mariah
I had him tested so that I knew what I was facing. He also had a number of food allergies (soy, flax seed and oil, safflower and other "healthy" oils) and environmental allergies (dust mites, mold and grasses).
By 5 years old, he could not get through the winter without steroid shots, steroid pills and antihistamines. He was in misery.
At that point, the only good quality dog food (Anmar) that he could safely eat was discontinued.
I very reluctantly switched him to raw food that spring. At first I just gave him chicken backs and then expanded from there. The first winter on raw food he only needed antihistimines. Then, it switched to antihistimines as needed, only occasionally. By two years after the switch, there were no symptoms any more. He could even eat the occasional dog cookie at stores without the extreme reaction to soy and flax in the cookies. I just didn't keep that stuff at home. He had become tolerant to an extent.
He died at 13 and had a great happy life.
My veterinarian was shocked and amazed by the progression to no symptoms at all. She switched her own dogs to raw feeding.
Good luck and I hope you find a solution.
Michele, Pharaoh and Mariah
by Rass on 09 July 2012 - 10:07
The immune system, like the skeletal system and the digestive system, grows and matures with the dog. Allergies are an inappropriate immune response and usually (as you note) the inappropriate response is to a number of allergens. Allergen testing may show what the dog is allergic to, and allergy shots (desensitizing) may work in some dogs. Anthistamines work in some dogs (not a large percentage) and other dogs do not repsond to anything and need bouts of steroids to have a shortened, but more comfortable, life.
The way my vet explained this to me is that the dog's immune system reacts to allergens and at some point is pushed over threshold and the symptoms show up... Scratching, hot spots, ear problems, and so forth. If you lower one of the thresholds with a change, the dog can become symptom free. It is the very rare dog that is only allergic to food... The dog is usually allergic to a number of things, but changing the food lowers or removes one allergen and the threshold drops and symptoms recede or disappear. This is why switching to RAW can really help a lot of dogs that are allergic (RAW diets typically are limited ingredient diets w/o additives or preservatives).
Young dogs have an immature immune system (as well as immature musculo-skeletal sytem and so forth) so it is entirely possible for the immune system to mature and become tolerant of allergens (much like a child out growing allergies). It is also entirely feasible that by changing something in the dog's environment or food that you can lower the threshold so the dog is no longer symptomatic. Lowering the threshold is not a "cure" as the dog will usually (not always) become symptomatic when the allergen is reintroduced.
So.. the short answer is Yes, a dog can outgrow allergies (as their immune system matures).
The way my vet explained this to me is that the dog's immune system reacts to allergens and at some point is pushed over threshold and the symptoms show up... Scratching, hot spots, ear problems, and so forth. If you lower one of the thresholds with a change, the dog can become symptom free. It is the very rare dog that is only allergic to food... The dog is usually allergic to a number of things, but changing the food lowers or removes one allergen and the threshold drops and symptoms recede or disappear. This is why switching to RAW can really help a lot of dogs that are allergic (RAW diets typically are limited ingredient diets w/o additives or preservatives).
Young dogs have an immature immune system (as well as immature musculo-skeletal sytem and so forth) so it is entirely possible for the immune system to mature and become tolerant of allergens (much like a child out growing allergies). It is also entirely feasible that by changing something in the dog's environment or food that you can lower the threshold so the dog is no longer symptomatic. Lowering the threshold is not a "cure" as the dog will usually (not always) become symptomatic when the allergen is reintroduced.
So.. the short answer is Yes, a dog can outgrow allergies (as their immune system matures).
by TingiesandTails on 10 July 2012 - 04:07
Absolutely!
Seen it!
Same with humans - don't take immuno- suppressive medication though.
Seen it!
Same with humans - don't take immuno- suppressive medication though.
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