Mika Has Allergies

[tianakaesha]

Mika has a constant itch. We thought maybe it was fleas initially, but we got rid of them, and so we changed her diet to natural (Barf Patties)

Anyways, she's been chewing herself quite a bit recently so we went to the vet tonight...

It seems she has some sort of allergy. She was given a steroid shot, and tablets to take, some ear drops for her ears (which are clean, but could be a bit better).. and some neocort cream for later if needed.

vet thinks it is a contact allergy, but is not sure (could be food).

we have a variety of things to try - but vet suggested increasing omega oils - fish oils and such, flax seed.. etc.

has anyone had experience with things like this?

[haven]

Not personally but have known many who have and I often recommend it. Make sure you increase your dog's vitamin E intake also.

[tianakaesha]

Actually, going to ask for this topic to be moved to Health/Nutrition...

"Megaderm" (?) was one of the products recommended to put mika on, except the tablets are too big (according to vet) so I said we would do some research.

She said "Cold Marine Fish Oil" 1 1/2 ml (for mika's body weight) daily for 12 weeks" as that is what the study she'd seen had recommended.

Does anyone have hints on where to get this stuff?

She said to also soak mika for 15 mins in aloveen shampoo... will have to get more as I have run out, but the conditioner I have will do for now - as well as the natural soap for sensitive dogs...

If these tips and such do not help, then we are to either try Z/d ultra for 6 weeks exclusively - or to seek an allergy specialist to see if we can have a desenitising vaccine made for her... ?????

Mika has had this since she was a puppy, but we were told that it could have just been the summer grasses (it is predominately on her bare belly)... but it could be anything either diet or contact...

We were told (by another vet earlier on) that she might grow out of it - but as it has now gotten worse we have had her to the vet.

anyways, now that I am rambling... any comments on the above is gladly recommended.

Last night in desperation to cool her itching I resorted to the only thing I had - nappy rash cream! and it worked a treat LOL!! Pity it stunk (know that blobbet will not have THAT brand LOL!)

Edited to add:

Haven (or anyone else) what is the increased vit e for... I understand if you increase one thing, you increase something else, but I like being able to understand why

Edited June 15, 2005 by TianaKaeSha

[haven]

Because the omega 3 and 6 use up the vitamin E in your dogs body to prevent the fats from going rancid, so you need to replenish the supply.

The product I use is Vet's All Natural omega blend. The also have pure cold pressed flax seed oil. Alternately you can just give your dog some fatty fish once a week as, or in his meal.

Just out of curiosity, what do you feed her in addition to the barf patties you mentioned?

[tianakaesha]

the barf patties are the billinghurst ones - and there is a thread on that from the other day...? I am not adding anything to them...

[Rozzie]

We have the same problem with Pixi (2 year old Chi). She's had the shots, the tablets, she has no additives in her food... she scratches and scratches... hers is on her back. No fleas, I use Aloveen...

It comes in waves.. she can be great for ages then starts up again...

[Bundyburger]

Could it be mown grass??

My aunties dog can't go anywhere near any type of mown grass, or she's coated in a rash. Poor darling. But of course she's always walked in the park so it is around nearly all the time...

[espinay2]

What part of the body is she itching? Often that can give an indication of the types of allergy it may be.

Check things like the washing powder you use, what you use to clean the floor, carpet treatments etc as well as the plants in the garden which may be causing problems.

If you suspect diet, you may want to try an elimination diet. Start by feeding one thing only for a week - eg plain chicken mince - and note if there is any change. If there is, as one ingredient only back at a time and watch for reactions.

Fish oil is easily purchased from a health food store - just buy the capsules. I just buy the big bottles. You can either pearce them and squirt a few over the dogs dinner, just hide them in the dogs dinner or do what I do and give them as treats - the dogs love them and come running when they hear the bottle. The oil in the capsules is preserved with Vit E so adding additional Vit E is not really necessary unless you are giving very high doses. Giving a Vit E capsule in addition couldnt hurt though as it is a good antioxidant.

Oils, particularly fish and flax oils, are quite volatile and can degrade very quickly in warm temperatures and when exposed to air and light, so if you buy them in a bottle, make sure they are in an airtight dark container and kept refrigerated right from the point of purchase. It is for this reason that I am extremely reluctant personally to buy any oils that are kept on the shelf.

[Alprazolam]

All this advice is great. Also may I suggest you so a little apron in reverse for Mika.

Like a dogs coat except it prevents the belly from any contact with grass. The vet chuckled when he saw it. It worked though as mine has severe allergies.

I have contacted a herbalist and am starting a course of this to see if it works.

Buffalo grass and wandering jew are big culprits.

Good luck

[tianakaesha]

Mika is predominantly an inside dog and only has exposure to outside when she goes on our walks - but her itching is mainly, I think, due to the cats! Though she does react more when she touches grass as well.

Thanks for all the help... the injection has done some good - she has not scratched for 24 hours! (almost)... the girl did not know what to do LOL

[zayda_asher]

You should get a referral to a dermatologist straight away. Until you actually know what she is allergic to you will only be suppressing and treating the symptoms not the cause.

Salmon oil capsules you can get at any health food store - you want ones with EPA 180 miligrams. And you give them according to weight.

Both my dogs have allergies

Atopic (airborne) are the most common

Flea allergy is also common

Food allergies not so common

Contact quite rare as are bacterial allergies.

Dan

ETA: steriods ets. only give reliefe from symptoms. They are very addictive and have severe consequences when used in the long term, esp. for such a young dog.

Good luck

Edited June 16, 2005 by zayda_asher

[chuckie500]

I have one with an itch and paw licking. this is what we went throughin the last 12 months.

1. cortisone injection & antibiotics & special shampoo (with chlorhexidine in it, can't rememebr the name of it) - no imnprovement.

2. cortisone tablets low dose for abit.

3. science z/d diet - some improvement.

4. then a blood allergy test - allergies caome up as dust mites, dust, pine, a few other things.

5. advised to start a flea allergy trial (i have used frontline since i had him) and thus added permoxin as per instructions - resulted in about a 30% improvement.

6. so now i am really fussy about flea prevention, and dust around the house, & switched to eaglepack fish formula as the main food source - and now i have not used cortisone for over six months. this is the best he has been. He is still an itchier dog than the other, but it's very liveable now.

hope this helps

[chuckie500]

oh i forgot, i give them some tinned salmon too (guessing that this is rich in omega 3 & 6s. Eaglepack fish formula would be higher in omerga 3 & 6 compared with other kibble foods anyways.

[Mags]

Have seen a few dogs that just will not eat Hills z/d ultra. Royal Canin also have a hypoallergenic food and this seems to have much better palatability.

I have a cat that has food allergies besides the vomitting and less than desirable consistancy of faeces she also had a greasey coat and ears. We put her on an elimination diet and then gradually started adding things back into her diet - we now know what she is allergic too though have to be continually on the alert as the number of foods she is allergic too has been increasing over time. Goodluck hope you can sort things out for Mika - if you can work out what she is allergic to things become much more manageable.

[Alison]

I got a hand out on ATOPY - Allergic Inhalant Dermatitis from my vet and thought this may help.

General Information

Canine atopic dermatitis is an inherited tendency to display allergic symptoms like scratching, chewing and rubbing at the face, paws, armpits and stomach. The age at which this is first seen can be as young as three months or as old as seven years, but the average is between one and three years of age. Common causes of atopic dermatitis include pollens, moulds, dust mites, wool and feathers. These microscopic particles can set up al allergic reaction in a sensitive individual. Depending on the particular allergy the symptoms may be mild initially and seasonal (eg pollens), or year round (eg house dust mites) With time these signs usually become more severe and continue for a longer period (unlike humans where children sometimes grow out of allergies). Allergic signs can be aggravated by concurrent flea infestation. An animal which is allergic to pollens can also be allergic to insect bites. Even if there are no fleas or other insects seen a single bite can aggravate dermatitis.

What are the major symptoms of atopy?

The major symptoms are itching and scratching, often in the armpits and groin. Dogs also rub their faces and lick their feet. However this is not specific for atopy as both food and insect bite allergies can produce these signs. The other signs which result from scratching include hair loss, redness, scale formation (dandruff), darkening of the skin colour and bad odour.

KNOWN CAUSES OF ATOPY IN DOGS

Grass Pollens:

Couch

Rye Grass

Bent Grass

English Couch

Cocksfoot

Paspalum

Canary Grass

Oat

Wheat

Yorkshire Fog

Kentucky Blue

Prairie Grass

Maize

Sweet Vernal

Weed Pollens:

Ragweed

Plaintain

Rough Pigweed

Dandelion

Fat Hen

Nettle

Dock

Mexican Tea

Red Sorrel

Tree Pollens:

Elm

Eucalyptus

Melaleuca

Privet

Pine

Palm

Peppercorn

Lucerne

Olive

Plane Tree

Casuarina

Birch

Wattle

Oak

Sycamore

Epidermals:

Cat dander

Human dander

Feathers

Sheep wool

House dust mites:

D.pteronyssinus

D.farinae

Moulds:

Penicillium

Alternaria

Aspergillus

Cladosprium

Insects/Miscellaneous:

Cockroach

Ant

Kapok

Flea

House Fly

Rose

Mosquito

Horse Fly

Tobacco

Omega fatty acids; Omega fatty acid supplements must be given for atleast 6 to 8 weeks to allow them to be incorporated into the animals tissues before they will be effective. They are safe and have no side effects.

Antihistamines; The advantages of antihistamines is their safety. Side effects are rare. However, unlike in humans only 30% of the animals will have their itch controlled with antihistamines alone.

[Akitaowner]

Mav had allergies when he was little - wasnt really itchy but fairly had big red, pussy spots all over his tummy and inside legs, was given the neocort cream which stopped the reinfection from the itching and was told that it could be anything!!

we hadnt had him long so thought i could be the washing powder (napisan) i use to wash his blankets (at that point every few days) but then went to his diet and cut out absolutely everything except his dry kibble for a week (rash went almost completely) and slowly reintroduced things over the next couple of weeks - turned out it was the red bones/mince i had been giving him - so cut them out and everything else was allowed back never had a problem since and slowly reintroduced red bones - he still doesnt have supermarket mince i think it may have been the preservatives in it..... hes fine with expensive stuff from the butcher!