Allergy Test Group - Page 1

I would like your thoughts and opinons on my placing my Auto Immune Disorder/severe allergy GSD in a test group that will be given a new oral drug that may do wonders....or of course may have some side effects too or may not help my boy and the other's in the test. My worry of course is the safety of my boy. Over the past two years just about everything known has been tried to help his situation, with very little in the way of positive results. Also be may be in the half of the test group that is not even getting the "Real Deal"......so I may see no change anyway. Hopefully he will get the Real Deal and be in that group and get great results.....Anyway....I would appreciate your thoughts and opinons on this....would YOU do this with your GSD???
This test will be a distance from me and may require a number of trips for me and my boy....but he loves to travel and if it may help him and other GSD's with this problem, that I am willing to do.

Thanks for your input!

Have you not answered your own question? This is a double blind study. You may well not get the test medicine and instead get a placebo (a pill or treatment that is something like sugar or water or whatever is a harmless replica of what is being studied). On the other hand, you might see improvement. There are ALWAYS risks versus benefits to be considered whenever any medication or treatment is undertaken. This is true of humans as well as dogs. But, if you have tried a lot of things without seeing improvement, your dog may be a valuable asset to such a study. Not only would I do something like this if I had an affected dog, but I would do it myself if I were a potential human research subject and the research was potentially going to help others with the same problem. You should be free to ask questions about the test drug up front. And you will likely be also asked to keep meticulous records of your observations, as well as the vets keeping them as well.

Good luck.

Thanks Hodie! I appreciate and value your thoughts. I guess other's don't have any thoughts or opinons on the subject.......more response on the "Gossip Threads".....amazing!

I really can't add anything to what Hodie said other than to tell you if it were my dog, I'd do it. I've dealt with allergy dogs and it is heartbreaking, stressful  and frustrating to say the least, so I really feel for you. If nothing worked on my dog(s), I'd put my dog in the study, risks and all. Best of luck to you and your dog. please let us know how this all works out. My son right now has an allergic dog (a rescue Border Collie) and I'd love to hear of something that is effective.  
Char

Thanks Char!.......nice to see at least two people have some thoughts and opinons about thing that involve GSD's here on this board.

I agree: you answered your own question in your last sentence. And, yes, I *would* do it, if it were my dog, for the same reasons you state in that sentence . :-) Everything in life is a risk and every risk has potential benefit. Good Luck. We will be rooting for you!

I have a nine year old boy who has suffered from allergys, we gIve him shots twice a month, he is allergic to everything outside and must inside. I would jump at the chance to take part in a test group, GOOD LUCK

I just want to ad that I am presently undergoing that series of desensitization shots for an allergy. (I was stung by a bee in October. After a LIFETIME of literally hundreds of stings, 2 just a couple of months previously, I was SUDDENLY dangerously allergic. I got to the emergency room just in time. Literally--my throat was closing up and I could not breathe.) I also have a life-long aversion to needles. :-) I don't know if the course for you dog wpuld be at all similar, but if I do not have to live in terror of every buzzing thing out there, the shots will be worth it. Clearly, the literally life-threatening experience was enough for me to submit to 2 shots a week for the next few months. :-) The only adverse reaction, thus far, is really, really itchy spots where the injections are made. Cortisone cream takes care of it nicely.

 Mystere,

Also taking some benadryl or another antihistamine your doctor recommends will alleviate that itching. Try ice rubs as well.

Stay away from those pesky bees!

Thanks for your input guy's!

Mystere......I have had Nicco on the shots for over a year and a half......they have not helped much.....unless of course he could even be worse now then he is. I started with a series every other day...then 3 days...then 5 days...then 7 days...etc WE did this till we worked up to a every 21 day maintenance shot. It was expensive, but that was ok...if it would help him. I don't "Think" we got much of a bang for our buck with this program...but like I said...he may be even worse now if we had not tried it. Thanks for your help and suggestions...much appreciated. I hope you are able to handle the bee sting stuff...that is terrible!  We wish you the best dealing with that...wow!

Becker......Thanks....I hope my boy makes it to 9...I hope the best for you and yours. Strange though with Nicco...it does seem to be more the reverse....Inside worse then outside....so far.

Hodie I have Nicco on Hydroxyzine Pamoate now and have since he was 6 months old........took him off once for 4-5 days and he went nuts...could not stop chewing himself and scratching himself. I guess it is similiar to Benadryl we take.....I'm lucky enough to be able to be with him 24/7 and other then a few moments each day...he is always within my eye sight.....if not I would hate to see what he would do to himself!