My nephew has a yellow lab that appears to have allergies. In the spring he gets VERY itchy, to the point of having major areas of no hair because he is scratching it off. This only happens in the spring so I don't think it could be his food. The vet gave him steroids to give him and he told him to bathe him in anti dandruff shampoo. But after bathing him the last time, it made it MUCH worse. Any suggestions on what he can do to give relief to this poor dog. I have told him to give him benedryl twice a day. It has settled down some for now. Thanks it advance for any suggestions.
Dog allergies
- Thread starter tazzman
- Start date
Chasey_Lane
Salt Life
My Chi has issues with his coat. It was suggested to me that I give him fish oil (available at any grocery store, BJs, Costco, Walmart, etc) in caplet form. After two weeks of use his coat is normal, shiny and overall healthy.
mizteresa1965
New Member
I had chows several years ago, and they constantly had skin irritations, and they were worse in the summer. They would get hotspots. My vet prescribed something that would help with the itching, and they suggested sprinkling cornstarch on it to help dry the hotspots up. Of course, it was a major task, we ended up keeping our chows shaved 9 months out of the year, because you would have to clean the old cornstarch off and pat dry before reapplying. It's tedious, but it helped.
J
jp2854
Guest
my vet is having me give the dog benadryl which seems to help a little. She is very itchy right now so I have to keep on top of it. She only has problems when things start to bloom etc. She take 75mg 2 to 3x a day shes also 90lbs. the vet told me 1mg per pound so if the dog weighs 25lbs he will get 1 pill if he weighs 50 2 pills if 75 3lbs and so on. She last year ended up with hotspots the vet shaved the area and gave me steriods and they seemed to work. I am hoping she doesn't have this happen this time around as steriods are not good for the dog.
Yea, I told him the steroids are not good for him so we are trying to find another way to help his dog.
frequentflier
happy to be living
Overbathing a dog; esp with an anti dandruff shampoo whose Ph is adjusted for humans and not canines, would probably aggravate the situation.
I would try some good quality salmon oil with omega 3's and a good quality dog food as well.
This is just my opinion; I am not a vet.
J
jp2854
Guest
i would tell him to call his vet and ask for the dogs size how many times a day he is supposed to give benadryl that is what i did with my dog. Because the dog could need 3 doses a day for the size he or she is. I know with my dog benadryl makes her tired so all she does is want to sleep which isn't good but I have to keep her allergies to a minimum.
I agree with ff. I would try to get the dog on a good quality food that helped my dog. she now eats natural choice lamb meal and rice for large breed dogs. it has no corn in it and most dogs have a allergy to corn. I also give my dog salmon oil from time to time to lick up by itself in a small bowl since she loves the taste of it. I get it from petco its salmon oil with probiotics in it.
I know you aren't asking me but...we just give our dogs one but it says one for every 10 pounds...our vet said you don't have to give more than two...BJ's has them really cheap. So for a dog weighing almost 100 pounds I'd say give two a day.cheap.
godsbutterfly
Free to Fly
My vet suggested Vitamin E tablets and they have worked wonders for my dog. Her coat is back and very shiny and soft.
yknotpoms
SOMD POM MOM
Here are some of the things I have tried over the years. Different things work for different dogs.
There are some good dog shampoos and conditioners on the market for this type of problem some work for your dog and other don't. Depends on the reason of the issue and sometimes that is hard to tell.
I have had good luck with oatmeal based ones and a product called DerMagic. DerMagic isn't cheap though so I would try the oatmeal stuff first for itching, etc.
If the skin is dry you can also use a leave in conditioner.
It never hurts to work from both the inside and the outside. Fish oils, Vit E, olive oil, etc can all help as well. Just don't over to it or they will have GI issues.
Also this can be a stress thing if something in your life and his/hers has changed you may be able to correct the issue.
If you think it is pollen based you can also wipe the dog down when they come in to remove some of the pollen.
Just thoughts from a dog loving person that suffers from allergies.
There are some good dog shampoos and conditioners on the market for this type of problem some work for your dog and other don't. Depends on the reason of the issue and sometimes that is hard to tell.
I have had good luck with oatmeal based ones and a product called DerMagic. DerMagic isn't cheap though so I would try the oatmeal stuff first for itching, etc.
If the skin is dry you can also use a leave in conditioner.
It never hurts to work from both the inside and the outside. Fish oils, Vit E, olive oil, etc can all help as well. Just don't over to it or they will have GI issues.
Also this can be a stress thing if something in your life and his/hers has changed you may be able to correct the issue.
If you think it is pollen based you can also wipe the dog down when they come in to remove some of the pollen.
Just thoughts from a dog loving person that suffers from allergies.
"Missing Link"
The Missing Link
The Missing Link
frequentflier
happy to be living
Lacie Girl
My BFF is a Pit Bull!
I give Omega 3 (1 pill with each meal) to my sensitive skin guys and benedryl (1 mg/lb 2-3x a day) when they get uber itchy. I keep the steriod on hand for when they break out in hives as it gives the fastest acting relief. You may want to check out Only Natural Pet Store - Dogs Cats Holistic Supplies Products Food Treats Vitamins Medicine Supplements for some all natural alternatives.
yknotpoms
SOMD POM MOM
I am tring a new suppliment now on a itchy girl of mine. It is called NuVet, if it works I will try and remember to post something here about it.