Allergy testing and desensitisation in dog *another update*

[CG1]

We got the allergy skin test for our dog and individualised immunotherapy. We did this through a specialist skin vet almost 2 years ago. Turns out the poor wee thing is allergic to lots of things, all environmental. We did try allergy food for him, which didn't work and the specialist told us to stop feeding him as it wouldn't make a difference as his allergies had nothing to do with his diet. He suffered with recurring ear infections, infections between his toes which meant that he would bite his feet red raw and problems at the back end too.

The immunotherapy is great for him. It did take a while for us to figure out the easiest way to inject him but it is the best thing we have ever done for him. We (I) now inject him every three weeks but that will soon go down to every four weeks.

The immunotherapy has worked wonders for us. Occasionally when there is an increase in pine pollen in particular, we need to give him a few days worth of Apoquel tablets/bath his feet in Malaseb but for the most case it is under control.

The effectiveness is for different dogs varies but we have been the lucky ones. It is expensive but our insurance covers it. If it didn't, I would pay for it myself, I'd find the money somewhere. It was so upsetting seeing him go through all the pain and irritation with no end in sight, until we found the immunotherapy. Animal allergies tend to get worse with age, supposedly. I can't even imagine how we would have all coped if he continued to get worse.

[Pagan8c]

A friend of ours has a dog who was constantly scratching its ears and licking around its tail. They recently had tests done and it would appear the dog is allergic to yeast so the vet is looking to try and find a suitable food to avoid this.

[catherinesian]

Time to see a specialist vet? Seeing constant locus vets won’t be helping with treatment / diagnosis.

[DiscoDaisy]

We came across Zymox - which worked wonders for clearing our cockapoo’s ears (we purchase it through a Facebook page). She is on a grain free diet and have switched from chicken to fish (Akela Wholeprey dry food), it’s taken a while but we seem to finally have it under control.

[Shani]

You could be describing our lab, Maya. We tried everything we could, steroids, antibiotics, changed diet, cut out everything we possibly could. We decided against testing for allergies simply because we couldn't actually change or cut out anything else, so finding out what she's allergic to wouldn't make a difference.

The vet prescribed her Apoquel, and it's a miracle drug. If we forget to give her her pill, she'll quickly remind us with shaking her head and itching. The vets want £3 per pill, but we get them to make us a prescription and pay under £1.50 online.

[soooexcited!]

Originally Posted by Shani

You could be describing our lab, Maya. We tried everything we could, steroids, antibiotics, changed diet, cut out everything we possibly could. We decided against testing for allergies simply because we couldn't actually change or cut out anything else, so finding out what she's allergic to wouldn't make a difference.

The vet prescribed her Apoquel, and it's a miracle drug. If we forget to give her her pill, she'll quickly remind us with shaking her head and itching. The vets want £3 per pill, but we get them to make us a prescription and pay under £1.50 online.

See more...

After the previous poster said about that drug I googled it and it might be worth a try. I'm registering him with another vet and will ask thank you. Hes nowhere near as bad as he was but we literally have a few days steroids left. Hes just started with the paw chewing and the odd bum shuffle. Does your dog have one tablet a day?

[Edie ray]

Originally Posted by Shani

You could be describing our lab, Maya. We tried everything we could, steroids, antibiotics, changed diet, cut out everything we possibly could. We decided against testing for allergies simply because we couldn't actually change or cut out anything else, so finding out what she's allergic to wouldn't make a difference.

The vet prescribed her Apoquel, and it's a miracle drug. If we forget to give her her pill, she'll quickly remind us with shaking her head and itching. The vets want £3 per pill, but we get them to make us a prescription and pay under £1.50 online.

See more...

.


Hello, can I ask how long your dog has been on Apoquel and what dosage she takes to maintain no itchiness?

It’s just my dog was prescribed a 2 weeks course last Friday and it has stopped all symptoms immediately so wondered if it was a tablet that could be taken long term?

Sorry for butting in OP

Edie

[soooexcited!]

Originally Posted by Edie ray

.


Hello, can I ask how long your dog has been on Apoquel and what dosage she takes to maintain no itchiness?

It’s just my dog was prescribed a 2 weeks course last Friday and it has stopped all symptoms immediately so wondered if it was a tablet that could be taken long term?

Sorry for butting in OP

Edie

See more...

I'd be interested to know that too x

[soooexcited!]

Well after 28 years worth of pets at the same vets I've just registered both Bill & Bluebell with another practice. Fingers crossed some continuity and new advice helps.

[Shani]

Maya started on Apoquel early last Summer.

The relief for her was instant. She's a small working lab and has been prescribed 1 pill per day. We mostly give her half a pill a day, but if we notice she's itching more or is shaking her head, we give her a full pill a day until she has no symptoms any more.

The worst part for Maya was the rash all over her body. It was worse on her belly (the areas with less hair), but it'd be red raw, and scabby. She'd get ear infection after ear infection and problems with her ≈≈≈≈ glands. Since she's been on the pills, she's had no problems at all. For Maya, it's really been a miracle drug, but I know it hasn't worked so well for others. Definitely worth trying though - but you do have to be religious in giving the dose!


Edited: Actually, just looked through mine and hubby's messages and realised Maya has been on the tablets a year now. She will be on them for life, more than likely.