[melaniep]

We just ordered a ceramic bowl for Enzo (I heard from a few that it actually helped) and are religiously cleaning his paw pads making him comfortable.. the amount of licking seems to have gone down a little bit. I know it's not treating the cause just helping the symptoms, but glad hes more comfortable now.
I'll be taking him to one other vet, his original vet, to get a second opinion before changing the diet completly.. so we'll see what happens with that.

 

[Thecowboysgirl]

hmmm...interesting. I'm not sure on the logic of it needs to be closed so YOUR storage mites won't get in. Mites are everywhere. It's one of Seger's main allergies. Several different kinds of mites. I know a friend froze the food (I think Victor?) and it seemed to help. But when the dog was sent to GA for training - the mite allergies stopped soooo...what mites do we we have in PA/NY that they don't have there? Why cereal grains? Are mites only in cereal grains? My understanding was storage mites are in anything?

A big clue to a dust mite allergy is if the itching dramatically increases with winter and forced hot air heat. For years I passed it off as low humidity and dry skin until he got so bad he couldn't go even a few minutes between stopping to dig at himself.

I don’t know. We don’t have forced hot air heat. My dog seems better in the winter than the summer. But he definitely has some grass/weed allergies so that makes sense.

he is completely off chicken, and off kibble now. His itching and eye boogers are improved. But I think the food is too rich for him, he is showing some signs of indigestion he didn’t have with kibble.

mall the lower fat cooked/frozen recipes are chicken. 😕. Am waiting for one to come that is fish and potato. Much lower fat/ protein than the beef he has been on which I think is too rich.

whatever I read most recently said that most storage mites are on/in cereal grains. It seemed like a reputable article. I’m feeling my way here. I have not had a dog with a known mite allergy before, except for the one I board.

 

[David Winners]

I did an elimination diet with raw for my one allergy dog. I was fortunate enough to have a source for a lot of elk. I also have experience processing game, space to do it, a large band saw and grinder, and several commercial freezers.

All her food came from elk, including muscle meat, organs, liver, bone and tripe. After a few months, I added in single proteins and watched for a reaction. She was allergic to commercial chicken, turkey and commercially raised quail. She did very well on red meats, including venison, llama, duck and beef. She could also eat wild quail, pheasant and rabbit.

Before switching her to raw, she did ok on Hills SD ZD, both dry and canned. We used this diet to initially diagnose the food allergy problem.

 

[melaniep]

I did an elimination diet with raw for my one allergy dog. I was fortunate enough to have a source for a lot of elk. I also have experience processing game, space to do it, a large band saw and grinder, and several commercial freezers.

All her food came from elk, including muscle meat, organs, liver, bone and tripe. After a few months, I added in single proteins and watched for a reaction. She was allergic to commercial chicken, turkey and commercially raised quail. She did very well on red meats, including venison, llama, duck and beef. She could also eat wild quail, pheasant and rabbit.

Before switching her to raw, she did ok on Hills SD ZD, both dry and canned. We used this diet to initially diagnose the food allergy problem.

It's always those dang chickens. I feed chicken mostly as bone (neck, head, thighs) if I did have to go with an elimination diet, chicken is probably one of the last proteins I'd try to incorporate back into his diet.

We're you initially feeding strictly raw before the allergies started? Just out of curiosity.

 

[David Winners]

It's always those dang chickens. I feed chicken mostly as bone (neck, head, thighs) if I did have to go with an elimination diet, chicken is probably one of the last proteins I'd try to incorporate back into his diet.

We're you initially feeding strictly raw before the allergies started? Just out of curiosity.

No. This was a military dog that struggled with allergies. Raw was not an option until she retired and came to live with me.

 

[ausdland]

After you've exhausted all your options, diets and decided your vet and everyone here who's given you great advice is correct in feeding an elimination diet, Hill's I/D low fat canned (no chicken or potatoes) or Z/D (hydrolyzed chicken liver, no potatoes) actually work for allergy dogs, at least mine. It took me over 2 years of trying everything else before I caved, my bad. Now my dog can work in the Summer w/o her eyes, ears and gut being totally inflamed and requiring meds. g/l. Allergies suck.

 

[melaniep]

Surprisingly, Enzo is doing much better now. He did have a cyptopoint injection during his last visit, I'm normally against it, we had given him cytopoint last year for a couple of months and it did nothing. I'm not sure if the cytopoint had any effect on him this time, but he's not itchy other than the normal scratch here and there. I guess I'll find out in a couple weeks if his itching does come back.

I am cleaning his paws and ears a lot more frequently than I normally would, probably something I should have been doing this whole time anyway. Trimming paw pads more so no moisture is trapped. It all seems to be helping. Food allergies could still be an option of course, but I'll know for sure by my next vet visit.

 

[ausdland]

Ime the first cytopoint shot is the best then they don't last as long. Bathing with a hypoallergenic shampoo helps reduce itching. Hope your dog isn't like mine that has environmental allergies and food intolerances.

 

[David Winners]

I recently picked up a HV dryer (Flying Pig) and its shocking just how much dust and pollen comes off of Valor after being outside. I blow him off regardless of whether or not he's wet.

If your dog or a family member has environmental allergies, I highly recommend getting a HV dryer and blowing them off before they come inside.

 

[Thecowboysgirl]

I recently picked up a HV dryer (Flying Pig) and its shocking just how much dust and pollen comes off of Valor after being outside. I blow him off regardless of whether or not he's wet.

If your dog or a family member has environmental allergies, I highly recommend getting a HV dryer and blowing them off before they come inside.

yes. My father is allergic and if I didn’t bathe the dogs right before he visits I blow out their coats and then wipe down with grooming wipes.

 

[Jenny720]

I keep saying I am going to get a blower I can not take all the hair . That sound like it is a big plus blowing away allergens. I’m going to a vacuum all the radiators and hope it cuts down on dust mites this winter. The cytopoint needs to be given right around thanksgiving. It will be Luna’s early Christmas present and be sure give it early. I always wait a little to long.

 

[melaniep]

Ime the first cytopoint shot is the best then they don't last as long. Bathing with a hypoallergenic shampoo helps reduce itching. Hope your dog isn't like mine that has environmental allergies and food intolerances.

That's funny cause the vet told me they are only effective after the 3rd, 4th shot and need to be taken consecutively to work well. Hence why I can't believe everything they say.
To give my clinic some credit, I do actually really like one of the vets (shes our usual) and I think if she were to tell me Enzo had a food allergy I would have taken it more serious. Unfortunately, she was not in town during our last visit.

If your dog or a family member has environmental allergies, I highly recommend getting a HV dryer and blowing them off before they come inside.

Our friend actually recommended this earlier this year. His dog spends a lot more time outside though so I never thought it would benefit me as much, but I think it's worth a shot. At the very least I can use it to dry him off or blow our his hair.

 

[Jax08]

Cytopoint will vary from dog to dog. Seger gets 6 months or more, and has had several over the last few years. The first shot was a miracle for him and since I use a combination of serum, claritin and cytopoint, I am able to extend times between shots to get the most from them.

I think you need to get environmental testing done if you haven't already. Ears and paws indicate environmental, IME and in my vet's experience.

 

[melaniep]

I think you need to get environmental testing done if you haven't already. Ears and paws indicate environmental, IME and in my vet's experience.

Yes, I 100% agree. I didn't want to jump to the food allergy just yet until the environmental allergy test was done. I'm pending my appointment.
Ears have very mild yeast, easily controlled with cleaning. No redness, and doesnt shake his head.. 1 front paw was really itchy, but has gone down a lot.