Allergy Test Group - Page 3

Quote:I assume Rabies shot is all by law I have to insure he gets? I will speak with the Vet about this today also.....Thanks again!

First of all don't fret over the vaccines- you can't go back, but at least you have the information and can act accordingly in the future.  As for Rabies being required by law, yes this is true, but there are acceptions. Here in Broward County, Florida the county will waive the vaccine if there is a valid medical reason not to get the vaccine. I would think a compromised immune system would be a good enough reason. The vet needs to write a letter stating why the dog should not get the vaccine. I don't know what the procedure is in your county, but maybe you could look into it.  

BTW, I have dealt with Dr. Dodds regarding another veterinary issue and she is fantastic. What a wonderful person she is and she is more than willing to help. She is definitely the one to do the thyroid testing. Hopefully your vet will be open to having the bloodwork sent to her. Some vets have very big egos :(. Ask Dr. Dodds to give you info about vaccines, as well as heartworm prevention and flea & tick control. Do you have her contact info? What kind of allergy testing did you have done on your dog?  Intradermal or the blood test? Just curious.  You might want to discuss the testing with Dr. Dodds.


You are doing a fantastic job trying to get to the bottom of this. I really give you a lot of credit and it is obvious that you really love your dog.    

Starrchar,
  No, I don't have her contact info...could you possibly share? Thanks I am trying everything I can to try and make his life as comfortable as possible. He is truly an awesome GSD...even with his health problems. The allergy testing was "Blood" This was done at the VARL (Veterinary Allergy Reference Laboratory) in Pasadena, Ca. His bloodwork was sent there from my Vet here in Pa. Test was called the Liquid Gold Allergy Test. It was given for the "Eastern Regional Allergen Test". Yes, my Vet does have the Ego thing going on...LOL But she was the one that is trying to get Nicco into the new Oral drug test group and getting me all the info on it...so I make or can make an informed decision....so I must give her credit for that. I just don't know what else I can do or will be able to do to help Nicco. Thank you for your help and sharing your advice! Yes, I love Nicco very much, he not only is my shadow, he is my Best Buddy.

http://www.canine-epilepsy-guardian-angels.com/DrDoddsInstructions.htm   There is a price list regarding the various blood tests. You will find she is less expensive than most vets. If you decide to have the blood work sent  to Dr. Dodds you will need to click onto "Link to Information Form" at the top of the page. You'll need to print it, fill it out and send it along with the blood work. If you email Dr. Dodds (which is what I would do), be sure to tell her everything your dog has been tested for, along with the test results, all info about what has been tried regarding medications, all info about diet, supplements and the other things you have done environmentally (washing, rinsing bedding twice, et.). Make sure to tell her when your dog had his vaccines, what vaccines he had and what are using for heartworm preventative and flea/tick control. You might want to mention the "study" you are considering as well. I sure hope she can help you out.  You can tell her you got her info from a Canine Epilepsy Guardian Angel list member. She may not email you back right away, but usually she responds within 48 hours.

Dr. Dodds can be reached from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM Pacific Time, at the following numbers:

Monday, Tuesday and Friday 310-828-4804
Wednesday and Thursday 714-891-2022 ext 15 

The email address I have is hemopet@hotmail.com , but I believe it has been changed and I am working on getting the current email address.  I'll let you know as soon as I find out.

Char

hemopet@hotmail.com  is correct

Char,

  Thanks for all of your help! I have all the info now and we shall see if my Vet will work with me on this. Hopefully she will want to work with Dr Dodds on this an we can at least get the Thyroid addressed and go from there.  Thanks for all your efforts and time spent helping me out with this. Nicco sends a Big Thanks Too! Maybe one day he will be able to get out and socialize and get to some training classes like he enjoys. I'll holler when I get some new news. 

You're welcome. I just hope that you find some answers and some help for your buddy, Nicco. Your vet may claim that Nicco doesn't have a thyroid issue based on his symptoms, but insist on the test anyway.  Not all dogs have the classic textbook symptoms.   Please keep me posted. Good luck!

Could you not want to do everything possible if you had this "Mug" looking at you every minute of every day??  :)

MaxBear,so sorry to hear of this little guys problem.I also have been living this NIGHTMARE for the last almost 4years with one of my male GSD's.I also have tried just about every food on the market including the Hills Ultra ZD with NO resolve.I now have him on raw rabbit and nothing else and after 3 weeks still he is ripping himself apart.I had to resort to steroids a couple of months ago but when the dose was decreased it started again.I have done the mange treatment as well just in case and nothing.Just a caution against the Prozyme,I use to distribute it years ago and I know that the regular one uses lactose as a carrier and he may react to that.They make another one that uses rice starch as the carrier just incase that may be better for your dog.I was always told NOT to give anything cause it may be anything that he may react to(as far as supplements).Please keep me informed of your boys progress.I am at a loss on what to do.Im not sure if this thyroid would cause this cause I do see the difference from one food to another and his problem before was to keep weight on him not the other way around and I was under the impression that when there is a thyroid problem they gain weght which is not the case here.My boy has also injured one of his ears and now it does'nt stand anymore due to the hematoma and the one vet not saying anything about draining it.This is so stressfull.I feel your pain FIRSTHAND.Boy do I know what you must be going through.I wish you the best and hope that both our boys get some relief.Again PLEASE keep me informed of your boys progress.

MaxBear, Your boy Nicco is gorgeous and what an adorable face...and those eyes!!!!
 Thank you for sharing.
Char


Domenic,

Have you tried Temaril P? It worked like a miracle drug on my dog.

Try contacting Dr. Dodds. Maybe she can help. She is extremely knowledgeable regarding allergies, skin issues and thyroid, as well as canine epilepsy. I'm sure she can make some recommendations. Also, if it were my dog, I'd have his thyroid tested. There is no harm in testing. I would definitely the blood work  to Dr. Dodds. Having dealt with allergic dogs I really feel for anyone that is going through this. It can be downright heart wrenching.  A great source of help is http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/ALLERDOG/   There are a lot of knowledgeable people there and at least you will know you are not alone in this quest to find answers and relief for your dog. I was on that site a lot when I first got my dog and I was greatly helped by the people there. I wish the best for you and your pup.
Char

starrchar,thank you for the link.Yes I will do the thyroid test.