Allergies/insurance

[Vixen G]

Hi,

Does anybody else have a dog with allergies?

I need to try the food diet to see if it's an allergy to food. At the moment she is currently on the cytopoint injection and has the apoquel pills on hand ( as she starts to get itchy a week before she's due her next injection). We also have special wet wipes for her, cortavance spray, every day ear cleaner ( as she sometimes gets ear infections in the same ear) and special shampoo which in combination all seem to work pretty well. However, if there's any other ways to manage it I'd be interested to know .

Also wondering if anyone also has the bought by many insurance? As I thought this might help with her pre- existing condition however I am open to other good insurance companies.

Many thanks

 

[Errin Paddywack]

I'm with Bought By Many and highly recommend them.

 

[CorvusCorax]

What food is she on now and have you ruled out an environmental cause? Plant/tree, carpet or floor surface, bedding type, detergents or product used in the home.
What breed is she/age/how long has it been a problem? Is she yeasty, generally?

 

[AmyMay]

What CC said

 

[Vixen G]

What food is she on now and have you ruled out an environmental cause? Plant/tree, carpet or floor surface, bedding type, detergents or product used in the home.
What breed is she/age/how long has it been a problem? Is she yeasty, generally?

She was fine as a puppy and then got to 1 years old and that's when it started, she's 4 years old now and she is a Staffy X American bulldog. Haven't had her allergy tested as they said they aren't always reliable. That could be something to think about but we use non bio detergent, No carpets in the house it's all wooden floors. She can be yeasty as she does excessively lick and chew her paws. She gets these black pimples on her nipples too. She's been to the dermatologist and vet seems to think it might be a combination of food allergy and environmental. She's on the Eden Holistic 80/20 food.

 

[CorvusCorax]

Yeah you don't really know the dog you've got health or temperament wise until about 12-24 months anyway so 'fine' before this age doesn't really mean a lot. Do you know anything of her parents or siblings? Just to rule in/out if it's genetic.
One of my old dogs was set off by tree pollen and we lived in forestry land.
Also basically allergic to the bacteria which naturally occurs on their own skin.
A 'hot' dog as the vet described.
My current dog also has this issue.
He's had similar treatment to yours for very bad flare ups, but with long intervals between.
I found as low a protein food as possible helped, I used a fish and rice senior food for the old dog.
There's a product called Botanica which I really rate for skin issues.
If you're using a shampoo squirt it onto a shower puff before applying as this will help it lather up and will be easier to use.
She'll have thin skin and a tight coat so do have a look at anything she might be lying on, running through on walks etc.

 

[AmyMay]

Eden was no good for my little dog - made her chew excessively. Is your dog white?

If she’s yeasty you’ll need to bathe her regularly, and dry her thoroughly. But also treat from the inside. I’ve had good success with Yuderm boost for my other dog.

You also need to either look at a veterinary hypoallergenic diet or something that has no pea flower, potato starch or beat pulp.

My own dogs do very well on AVA sensitive skin and stomach.

 

[Vixen G]

Yeah you don't really know the dog you've got health or temperament wise until about 12-24 months anyway so 'fine' before this age doesn't really mean a lot. Do you know anything of her parents or siblings? Just to rule in/out if it's genetic.
One of my old dogs was set off by tree pollen and we lived in forestry land.
Also basically allergic to the bacteria which naturally occurs on their own skin.
A 'hot' dog as the vet described.
My current dog also has this issue.
He's had similar treatment to yours for very bad flare ups, but with long intervals between.
I found as low a protein food as possible helped, I used a fish and rice senior food for the old dog.
There's a product called Botanica which I really rate for skin issues.
If you're using a shampoo squirt it onto a shower puff before applying as this will help it lather up and will be easier to use.
She'll have thin skin and a tight coat so do have a look at anything she might be lying on, running through on walks etc.

Thank you, I don't know any thing medically with her siblings or parents but I think Staffy's and American bull dogs are quite prone to skin problems/ allergies from what I've read so I think it could be genetic. Thanks for the tips

 

[Vixen G]

Eden was no good for my little dog - made her chew excessively. Is your dog white?

If she’s yeasty you’ll need to bathe her regularly, and dry her thoroughly. But also treat from the inside. I’ve had good success with Yuderm boost for my other dog.

You also need to either look at a veterinary hypoallergenic diet or something that has no pea flower, potato starch or beat pulp.

My own dogs do very well on AVA sensitive skin and stomach.

Thank you. Yes there's some suggestions that the dermatologist recommended to try. No she's fawn coloured. We bath and dry her regularly (she hates being wet). Thank you will look into that