Arrgghhh Allergies! - Page 1

My one year old female suffers from allergies but not from severve allergies. A few bumps or rashes appear on her abdomen about every other week. She also chews her fingernails and toenails and looks as if she is nail biting. My vet has told me to treat her rashes with sulphur. He says sulphur helps the rashes and kills the bacteria too.

Things you should now: She is given a homecooked meal comprising of minced beef, rice, carrots and a local vegetable that is easy on the skin. I add olive oil so her skin doesnt become dry. The summers in my country are very harsh. The temperature can go up to 40 degrees celsius. I try to keep her indoors and she only goes out when im not home and at night.  She sleeps on a matress with coton sheets. She does not have any contact with grass but walks are an exception. Her kennel is up on my terrace. I clean it everyday will salt water. I vaccum her kennel and i also iron her bed sheets.

Expert help will be appreciated. What do you think about the sulphur?

 Its wet because i just put sulphur on it.

Oh and i have her frontlined every month. Fleas and ticks are a growing problem in my country!

It sounds like you've done a lot to eliminate possible environmental factors.  I assume you're also not using any chemical or perfumed household products?  I had a dog get hot spots once from some carpet cleaner I was using.

I would next look to diet.  Great that she is eating homemade instead of kibble, however the first thing I would remove was the rice to see if it is an allergy to grains.  Or you could do an elimination diet, ie only feed her the beef for two weeks, then add one other ingredient for two weeks, etc.  Hopefully you could then see what is causing the reaction.  Also, I would not over vaccinate a dog with existing irritations like this.  Best of luck! 

 Found another surprise in the morning! I just hope thats not a ringworm!

Theese kind of dogs you have to keep outside all the time. Do not bring the dog inside - remember - the dogs normal enviroment is the forrest and to stay outside.

I known it's hard - but all dogs does really have a better life outside! Thats why they got all thos coal...you know....

Good luck

Svenn B Steinsland

www.kennel-sveboe.com

Chaos's sores looked exactly like that and got worse until the vet finally figured out what it was!  They figured out it was Folliculitis.  Infection of the hair follicles.  They put him on a antibiotic for 3 weeks and it went away.  When he starts to get a flair up, I use a antibiotic that I got from work.  1 a day and in a few days it's all cleared up again.  I'm going to give him one a day for at least 6 weeks and it shouldn't come back again, I'm told!  We will see though.  I guess it takes about that long to get it out of their system.

Disagree that GSD's should  be kept outside all the time. IMO this breed does much better when it spends most of its time with its family. Keeping a dog outside when it has inhalation allergies will make it worse, not better.

I agree with shepherd woman and will I put her on anti-biotics. I am taking her to the vet today. I also agree with Blitzen, german shepherds love to be with the family and if i suddenly make her live outside, she will consider this as a severe punishment. There is a lot of crap outside. Ticks, fleas, mites and other things. If she has inhalant allergies, the outside envirornment will make it worse.

Salt could be a problem if you are using that every day...........

I think you should try fish or salmon oil caps instead of olive oil. They're a better source for omega 3's which affect skin and coat condition. Also if she is chewing on her feet shortly after eating it is a sign of food allergies. The feet tend to swell some making them tingly so they chew at them.  I also think GSD's are family oriented and are happiest when living in the house with the rest of the pack. Good luck to you, let us know what your vet comes up with.