macka Posted November 24, 2009 Share Posted November 24, 2009 My poodle-X, Leia, has suffered from allergies since about 6 months of age. One day I came home to find her covered in a blotchy red rash and welts on her stomach, and ever since then she has had occasional flare-ups. We don't know exactly what she is allergic to, but her allergies are worse over spring/summer. So far on our vet's advice we have just been managing the allergies as best we can by bathing her in Aloveen to help with the itchiness, putting Derm-Aid cream on the rash/welts, wiping her down with a medicated shampoo solution after walks, etc. If it gets REALLY bad we do have steroids which our vet said we could give her for up to 3 days in a row - however we have only ever done this 3 times, and it is something I would like to avoid as much as possible given the potential side-effects. She also gets recurring ear infections which my vet says is linked to the allergies. I have been cleaning her ears out with diluted malaseb but this doesn't seem to prevent the infections. I have been recommended by my lab breeder to try Epi-Otic in her ears instead because unlike the Malaseb, it apparently has a drying agent to stop the ear canal from staying moist?!? Keeping in mind I need something that i can use even while the ears are red/sore, so preferably not too irritating. Overall she has been pretty good this spring, however this week she has had a flare-up and is currently on ear drops for a bad ear infection and has red welts on her tummy this morning. :p I guess I am just wondering if anyone else is in the same boat with allergies and if anyone has any suggestions for how to better manage/treat these that would be great. Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stormie Posted November 24, 2009 Share Posted November 24, 2009 There are lots of threads here about dogs with allergies. The best advice would be to go and see a dermatologist. Lots of people will talk diet with you and tell you to get her onto a raw diet etc, but IMO, you're best to go and see a specialist who can help you along the path of working out what she's allergic to and doing it the right way. I'm speaking from experience, too. You can spend a fortune trying to do it yourself, buying lotions and potions, but really, the only way you're going to make progress with any type of allergies is to pinpoint exactly what she's allergic to, and working out whether its food, contact, or atopic (or a combination of all three) so you can best manage it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poodlefan Posted November 24, 2009 Share Posted November 24, 2009 (edited) What do you feed her? Allergy relief can often be assisted by a change in diet. I'd also be looking to include immune system boosters like Vitamin C. As you are in Sydney, can I recommend a visit to see Dr Barbara Fougere at this clinic She is a holistic vet that has assisted a lot of folk to manage their pets allergies. Edited November 24, 2009 by poodlefan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
macka Posted November 24, 2009 Author Share Posted November 24, 2009 What do you feed her?Allergy relief can often be assisted by a change in diet. I'd also be looking to include immune system boosters like Vitamin C. At the moment she eats Artemis Fresh Mix Adult plus raw meaty bones, mostly chicken wings, necks, frames, drumsticks. She probably has not been on the Artemis long enough to evaluate how it is going for her - I only switched her over to that from Eukanuba a month or so ago. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poodlefan Posted November 24, 2009 Share Posted November 24, 2009 What do you feed her?Allergy relief can often be assisted by a change in diet. I'd also be looking to include immune system boosters like Vitamin C. At the moment she eats Artemis Fresh Mix Adult plus raw meaty bones, mostly chicken wings, necks, frames, drumsticks. She probably has not been on the Artemis long enough to evaluate how it is going for her - I only switched her over to that from Eukanuba a month or so ago. OK.. I added a recommendation for a vet to my post Macka.. I'd highly recommend a visit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
macka Posted November 24, 2009 Author Share Posted November 24, 2009 If you think it is worth going to see a dermatologist/natural vet then that is something I will definitely consider. Neither of two vets I have taken her to so far have even suggested that. :p Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poodlefan Posted November 24, 2009 Share Posted November 24, 2009 (edited) If you think it is worth going to see a dermatologist/natural vet then that is something I will definitely consider. Neither of two vets I have taken her to so far have even suggested that. :p Vets are like GPs Macka.. they don't all think outside the square and a lot of them regard alternative remedies as quackery. In some cases they are right!! Edited November 24, 2009 by poodlefan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
macka Posted November 24, 2009 Author Share Posted November 24, 2009 If you think it is worth going to see a dermatologist/natural vet then that is something I will definitely consider. Neither of two vets I have taken her to so far have even suggested that. :p Vets are like GPs Macka.. they don't all think outside the square and a lot of them regard alternative remedies as quackery. In some cases they are right!! Well I guess I am at the point where I am willing to try something new for her. She is only just under 2 years old...I'd rather she didn't have to suffer while we just "manage" the allergies for the rest of her life, the poor girl. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
~Anne~ Posted November 24, 2009 Share Posted November 24, 2009 A specialist would be the way to go. You need to determine the allergen(s). Skin tests and food trials will hopefully uncover what it is and then you can either eliminate or control the source of the problem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Monah Posted November 24, 2009 Share Posted November 24, 2009 DEFINATELY go to a dermatologist. You will not regret it. I spent thousands on trying to fix one of my dog's ears. THOUSANDS. over a 8 month period. She has massive canals so would go through bottles and bottles of $45 medication every week, plus earflushes, meds, visits etc. pathology. Then there was the endless elimination diets NOTHING got rid of the problem. Went to a derm. had a skin test etc. showed she was allergic to NO foods at all, but almost ALL grasses and trees inc. eucalypts (how the hell do you avoid these??) So, she is on vaccinations for a couple of years. To build up an immunity to her allergies. Firstly she was on twice a week injections of mild stuff building up to once every 3 weeks of a stronger vacc. I do it myself and keep a record. She has not had ANY issues, skin, ears, anything at all, since starting this. I was told by the specialist that a few dogs may be hit and miss, but for us it has been fantastic. We have been on the program for over a year now, and have not looked back at all. I'm thrilled to bits. :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sas Posted November 25, 2009 Share Posted November 25, 2009 (edited) Before you start on Cortisone (if you go down that track) get yourself to a Specialist because you can't do some of the testing whilst on Cortisone. A Holistic Vet is all well and good but i.m.o these are the folks you see when you can't find a solution with Specialists etc. You will have to shell out $ but it will be worth it! Food allergies aren't that common, not as common as what many people make out, so best to speak to someone whose trained for years in their given field rather than a know-it all on a dog list who could be reccomending things that are delaying treatment of your dog. Edited November 25, 2009 by sas Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poodle wrangler Posted November 25, 2009 Share Posted November 25, 2009 How are you using the Malaseb? I squirt liberally into ear, massage base of ear, allow dog to shake head, then clean any moisture left in ear with cotton wool. The idea is that the liquid cleans as well as float up anything deeper in the ear. I find it's a lot better than the EpiOtic; also cheaper. I suspect the drying agent is alcohol? My daughter had eczema and I found derm-aid pretty useless. I had prescription ointment instead- the greasiness of the ointment moisturises also. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Monah Posted November 25, 2009 Share Posted November 25, 2009 Malaseb is fine, but unfortunately if there is an underlying allergy, it will have no effect at all and niether will any other topical medication.. A specialist may be expensive to start with, but will save many dollars in the long run, we have had no EAR or ALLERGY visits to a vet for over a year. Before that, I was back and forwards all the time Good luckxxxx Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
macka Posted November 25, 2009 Author Share Posted November 25, 2009 Went to a derm. had a skin test etc. showed she was allergic to NO foods at all, but almost ALL grasses and trees inc. eucalypts (how the hell do you avoid these??) Wow. Not easily! I suspect for Leia it is most likely pollens/grasses as it does seem to be seasonal. So, she is on vaccinations for a couple of years. To build up an immunity to her allergies. Firstly she was on twice a week injections of mild stuff building up to once every 3 weeks of a stronger vacc. I do it myself and keep a record. She has not had ANY issues, skin, ears, anything at all, since starting this. I was told by the specialist that a few dogs may be hit and miss, but for us it has been fantastic. We have been on the program for over a year now, and have not looked back at all. I'm thrilled to bits. I had heard about these injections but I guess I won't know if that's a possibility until I go talk to someone about it. You will have to shell out $ but it will be worth it! Yeah... she has insurance but unfortunately this is a pre-existing condition. It would be worth it if it could solve the problem though. How are you using the Malaseb? I squirt liberally into ear, massage base of ear, allow dog to shake head, then clean any moisture left in ear with cotton wool. That's exactly how I am using it except replace cotton wool with tissues. My daughter had eczema and I found derm-aid pretty useless.I had prescription ointment instead- the greasiness of the ointment moisturises also. I think all of the things I am doing at the moment are pretty useless unfortunately :D , hence this thread. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jed Posted November 25, 2009 Share Posted November 25, 2009 What Poodlefan said. A recommended good vet is the way to go. Be aware that some dogs are allergic to wheat and / or corn which is in most dry food. Don't know anything about Artemis, but I think the vet is the way to gol Cheaper in the long run too Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
macka Posted November 25, 2009 Author Share Posted November 25, 2009 What Poodlefan said. A recommended good vet is the way to go.Be aware that some dogs are allergic to wheat and / or corn which is in most dry food. Don't know anything about Artemis, but I think the vet is the way to gol Cheaper in the long run too Artemis Fresh Mix Adult - Analysis As I said though, she has not been on this food long enough yet to properly evaluate how she is doing on it. Also given her allergies seem to be seasonal I am not convinced it is food related, but I guess I don't know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Monah Posted November 25, 2009 Share Posted November 25, 2009 We ended up with our dog on nothing but rice and roo meat, then just meat. Went through no dry, no chicken, no beef, no EVERYTHING, which is why is took so long. Id' never do it that way again. It was expensive and painful for the dog. our scratch tests cost about $400 and showed immediately what the allergies were!! The vaccs cost $700 for the starter 'pack' that lasted several months, then the next lot was $400 but this will last around a year or so. she may not even need anything after this at all and she is fantastic in health etc. and can eat anything as it was nothing to do with food at all. Her skin and coat are wonderful and the EARS have been perfect. It was well and truly worth the cost, and I had to travel 4 hours every time to Brisbane for visits. Best thing I ever did!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
~Anne~ Posted November 25, 2009 Share Posted November 25, 2009 Monah, it doesn;t sound liek you followed an elimination diet correctly to be honest. An elimination diet requires removing all current and previous food sources and giving the dog a completely new type of protein that they have never had beofre and therefore, would never have developed an allergic reaction to. You then re-intorduce different proteins one at a time once the allergy clears to determine what protein the dog was allergic too. It is always a protein source. Contrary to popular belief, grains are not a common allergen and neither is food in general. Most allergies are atopic. When it ios dietary related, kibble is often blamed but it is usually chicken and beef that are the culprits. Kibble is often blamed because they usually have traces of beef or chicken in them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cavandra Posted November 25, 2009 Share Posted November 25, 2009 Look up Canine Candida (rampant yeast infection caused by grains & carbs)....the most undiagnosed yet common problem in dogs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stormie Posted November 25, 2009 Share Posted November 25, 2009 Honestly, I wouldn't go fiddling with diet until you've seen a specialist. You need to deal with allergies properly, otherwise you'll end up spending hundreds. No point switchting to a raw diet, if the meats you are feeding are meats she is allergic to. You should do a strict elimination diet first to work out whether food is an issue, but with it being mostly seasonal, then its most likely going to be environmental allergens. You are lucky you have insurance - definitely make the most of it and get a referral!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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