[paulag1955]

Are the allergies the underlying cause? If so, why is that? What's the best way to prevent an endless cycle of these infections? I just got her digestive system back on track from the last round of antibiotics.

 

[paulag1955]

Oh, there's an understatement. But now that I see the rash on her tummy, it sure explains why she's been so itchy and cranky the last couple of days.

 

[paulag1955]

Allergies can be the root of a lot of skin, ear, and GI problems, and can be from food or environmental sources. If you can figure out what she's allergic to, it would help a lot.

Of course there's always the possibility that she could be allergic to multiple things, but based on the fact that she gets really red eyes after being outside, I think it's environmental rather than her food. If that's the case, I don't see how we can possibly figure out what it is; we have a very large yard that's mostly covered in natural vegetation. Even what grass there is is just what's grown there...it's not like a seeded lawn.

 

[paulag1955]

You can have allergy tests run to see exactly what she is allergic to. Then they will make up a serum for her and give injections to desensitize her. I'm doing this for Onyx right now, so far-haven't seen results but it may take a year to get her system to "ignore" what she is allergic to.
Vitamin C is a natural anti-histamine, so I would supplement with that and maybe give benedryl for the itching.

We've been giving benadryl for the itching, which seemed pretty minimal until this recurrence of the staph infection. I'm really trying to figure out the best way to boost her immune system. Have you ever heard of Vit C giving a dog the runs?

How can the allergy test test for everything? I have probably hundreds of different plants in my yard.

 

[paulag1955]

Vitamin C can give the dogs the runs, so introducing it slowly upping the dosage over a week or two is best. I doubled Karlo's amount when he was going thru pano, and it looked like cement coming out.
I had the Heska test run and they did test for many grasses, molds etc.

You know what I have a really bad feeling about is the sword ferns. You should see the spores fly up off those things when Shasta runs through them. We have hundreds in our yard.

On the vitamin C, can I use what I have on hand here for us? Does the dosage depend upon weight?

 

[paulag1955]

I use human grade 500mg. Start with that and slowly up the dosage to 2000mg(split between meals) daily over a week or two...so eventually the dosage is 1000mg am and pm. If the dog is over a year EsterC is easier on the gut(it contains more calcium than regular C so not appropriate for young pups) Dosage would be the same for the EsterC.

Thanks, I think I have 1000 mg tablets so I can just break them in half for starters. She's only 46 pounds right now, would I still work up to 2000 mg?

 

[paulag1955]

At her age/size I would only 1000mg for a couple of months til she gets a bit bigger, starting at 500mg for a week or so and then 1/2 pill am & 1/2 pm

Thanks, Jane, I appreciate all the info.

My poor baby seems to be pretty miserable. Hopefully I can get her in to the vet tomorrow, or at least get a prescription.

 

[paulag1955]

Thanks, Leah!

Shasta saw the vet this morning and it's confirmed that it's another staph infection. So we're on a 21 day course of cephalexin. We also got probiotics, which will hopefully prevent the worst of the diarrhea she had last time with the antibiotic. Also more medicated shampoo and conditioner, all to the tune of $125.00. At least they clipped her nails for free.

Shasta was on her absolute best behavior with the vet. Once Shasta figured out the vet had treats in her pocket, she ran through all of her little tricks trying to earn them. Then she noticed the treat container on the counter and tried to cut out the middleman, so to speak. The vet loves her. Alternatively, the vet is the Best. Actress. Evah!

 

[paulag1955]

Thanks, I appreciate your help AND your healing thoughts!

Looking on the bright side, Shasta thinks a trip to the vet is swell fun! My last dog, who was never sick a single minute in her long life, never got used to going. So there's that.

I'm not sure where I'd get green tripe, but being the squeamish person I am...that's probably okay.

 

[paulag1955]

So hope she gets better soon! You both could use a break

Thanks, unbelievably, she seems to feel better already. Her poor li'l tummy is still all bumpy, but not so much scratching this evening. And she's finally getting some good sleep.

 

[paulag1955]

Poor li'l Shasta just can't catch a break. After only two doses of Cephalexin, she's got the runs, probiotics be damned. So I guess it's back to adding rice and pumpkin to her food as well to try to keep it in check as much as possible.

 

[paulag1955]

You might see if she'd like some Gatorade- Stosh loved it when he had diarrhea, once he didn't need it any more he stopped drinking it. Red and orange were his favorites, green not so much. And a glass of wine for you! Hope she feels better soon.

Thanks that's a good idea. I never would have thought of giving her Gatorade. She's drinking water by the bucketful!

 

[paulag1955]

What does her Rash look like? My Bo breaks out with a red rash in his pelvic area every fall really bad, just brought him to the vet for it as he licks it so much and it was spreading. she thought he maybe allergic to ragweed? Odd, he always seems to have a smaller lighter rash but fall it gets out of control, last year when he was 7 months it broke out the same way.

It looks like little red bumps, some of which develop little whiteheads and look like pimples, but the rash on her tummy, oddly enough, isn't where all the scratching and biting happens. That is mostly on her legs and rump area.

 

[paulag1955]

Paula,you likely already know this but I thought I would add a tidbit just in case you aren't already doing it. If there is a contact allergen component to it, it can really help to wipe her down (underside/paws etc) after she's been outside with a slightly damp towel and then wipe her down with a dry towel to ensure there is no moisture left. This seemed to help quite a bit with one of mine.

We have been wiping her paws but I never thought about it in terms of helping with the allergies...we were just doing it to help keep the carpet clean. Thanks for the tip.

 

[paulag1955]

There's a dog wipe made by Nature's Miracle and I use it on Stosh- he's long-coated and brings in lots of stuff on his fur. I wipe him off with it mostly for my husband's sake because he's the one with the allergies. It removes the dander besides dust and dirt, it's safe to use all over the body and face and doesn't have a strong perfumey scent.

Thanks, I'll look for those the next time I go to PetSmart.