Armpits turning black and losing hair

[msvette2u]

We had a dog come through like this, and it was just ongoing allergies.
The skin darkens due to irritation.
An allergen food (Natural Balance) is the best place to start, Temaril P can help, as can a daily zyrtec, or benadryl 2x a day at 1 mg/lb of body weight.

[Kyzzer]

Originally Posted by msvette2u

We had a dog come through like this, and it was just ongoing allergies.
The skin darkens due to irritation.
An allergen food (Natural Balance) is the best place to start, Temaril P can help, as can a daily zyrtec, or benadryl 2x a day at 1 mg/lb of body weight.

Thanks very much, I'll give that a try.

[GatorBytes]

Originally Posted by Kyzzer

Thanks very much, I'll give that a try.

Hope you don't mean you'll try the Temeral P - this will make things worse in the long run.

Temaril-P® (Brand)

Side effects

Side effects may include sedation, exposed third eyelid, muscle tremors, weakness, blood disorders, and an increase in drinking, eating, and urinating. Your pet may have more "accidents" and need to go outside or use the litter box more often. Less common side effects include increased appetite, weight gain, panting, diarrhea, vomiting, and behavior changes.
Side effects of long-term use include muscle loss, weakness, and the development of diabetes or hyperadrenocorticism (Cushing's disease). The typical signs of these diseases are increased thirst, urination, and appetite. Animals with Cushing's disease may also develop thin skin, a poor hair coat, and a "pot-belly."
Immune system suppression may occur, especially on higher doses, making a pet more susceptible to infection. Contact your veterinarian if your pet has a fever (over 103° F), painful urination (a sign of urinary tract infection), tiredness, and sneezing, coughing, or runny eyes.
If your pet has an allergic reaction to the medication, signs may include facial swelling, hives, scratching, sudden onset of diarrhea, vomiting, shock, seizures, pale gums, cold limbs, or coma. If you observe any of these signs, contact your veterinarian immediately.


Have the thyroid tested via Dr. Jean Dodd's (think provided link or it's a link in a link?), although may have on another thread...

just thought I'd catch this caution for you before calling it a night

[Kyzzer]

Originally Posted by GatorBytes

Hope you don't mean you'll try the Temeral P - this will make things worse in the long run.

Temaril-P® (Brand)

Side effects

Side effects may include sedation, exposed third eyelid, muscle tremors, weakness, blood disorders, and an increase in drinking, eating, and urinating. Your pet may have more "accidents" and need to go outside or use the litter box more often. Less common side effects include increased appetite, weight gain, panting, diarrhea, vomiting, and behavior changes.
Side effects of long-term use include muscle loss, weakness, and the development of diabetes or hyperadrenocorticism (Cushing's disease). The typical signs of these diseases are increased thirst, urination, and appetite. Animals with Cushing's disease may also develop thin skin, a poor hair coat, and a "pot-belly."
Immune system suppression may occur, especially on higher doses, making a pet more susceptible to infection. Contact your veterinarian if your pet has a fever (over 103° F), painful urination (a sign of urinary tract infection), tiredness, and sneezing, coughing, or runny eyes.
If your pet has an allergic reaction to the medication, signs may include facial swelling, hives, scratching, sudden onset of diarrhea, vomiting, shock, seizures, pale gums, cold limbs, or coma. If you observe any of these signs, contact your veterinarian immediately.


Have the thyroid tested via Dr. Jean Dodd's (think provided link or it's a link in a link?), although may have on another thread...

just thought I'd catch this caution for you before calling it a night

No, not trying the Temaril since I don't know anything about it. I'm trying the Benedryl until I can get him to the knew vet, but 1 mg/lb. sounds like a lot to me, especially twice a day. He's a 100 lb. shepherd, but that equates to 4 Benedryl twice dailey. That's much more than a 200 lb. person would take. I'll give it to him as the box dosage indicates and see if he responds until I have a day to get him in. So, we'll see. Thanks for the head's up.

[Kyzzer]

Originally Posted by Kyzzer

Thanks very much, I'll give that a try.

That sounds like a lot of Benedryl for a 100 lb. animal. That's more than an adult would take. Did you actually mean that much? That's 8 benedryl a day. Just want to make sure I understand you. Thanks.

[Midnight12]

My last dog was on benedryl weighed 75 lbs and took 3 twice a day. Make sure they the 25 mg because they also come in 50 mg

[msvette2u]

Dogs metabolize many things differently than humans, so yes, 1mg/lb is the correct dosage.
I'd still ask your vet about Zyrtec. It is 1 pill once a day.

[GatorBytes]

I'd ask your vet about about the benedryl dosage b/c when I tried the conv. approach, I believe it was 50 mg 12 hrs apart (max 2x/day), so half of what you noted.

also, I read somewhere NOT to use the non-drowsy and def. NOT the kids ben. due to artificial sweeteners.

But then there is always the red dye.

You could try nettle (also known as stinging nettle) capsules or tincture - 2/3 human dose. Google it

[carmspack]

January issue Dogs Naturally magazine -- discusses Cushings syndrome Natural Solutions For Cushing’s Disease