Dog with Allergies, advice please.

[Doggodogington]

We have a 5 year old Tibetan terrier and about 18 months ago she started scratching. No fleas at all. She scratched herself raw so we took her to the vets who took a swab, gave her steroids and a few days later, antibiotics. It cleared up somewhat but she started itching again so we took her back and the vet recommended cytopoint Injections every month and malaseb antifungal shampoo. We’ve done this for about a year but it has never fully cleared. The cytopoint effects only seem to last 2-3 weeks until she starts itching again. We’ve also changed her food to Hypoallergenic. Has anyone managed to solve an itchy pet? I don’t know whether she is itching because of an allergy or itching because of the skin condition she has scratched. I just feel so sorry for her. The vet said it’s pointless doing allergy tests as they are expensive and rarely give conclusive results. But cytopoint isn’t exactly cheap and hardly a long term solution seeing as it has had very little effect.

[FuriousFlannels]

Have you talked to your vet about a dermatologist referral? I think that would be my next step.

[Doggodogington]

So this is quite good, it’s normally very red. She has no fur left under her front legs and it’s quite thin on her body as she has scratched away. The malaseb shampoo does help a bit and seems to calm it down.

[Doggodogington]

No Furious, hadn’t realised that would be an option. It’s worth a go. Thanks.

[Doggodogington]

She doesn’t scratch at all when we go out for walks so maybe it’s just become a boredom habit. I think the allergy thing is a red herring and maybe it’s the itch/scratch cycle we need to break.

[FrenchyQ]

We had our Jack russell allergy tested...turned out hes allergis to parrot feather, dust and house mites. He had a course of immunotherapy after that and its really cleared up loads, he has occasional flare ups but his skin is so much better

[Doggodogington]

Did you own a parrot frenchy

[Aurea]

It's often food related. Does the food you give contain poultry? This can be an allergen (as the poultry eat grains) as well as grains themselves.

[Doggodogington]

Not sure Aurea, I’ll have to have a read.

[ScribblingMilly]

Our rescue dog came to us taking Apoquel tablets as well as Malaseb baths etc. After we switched to no grain diet, cotton bed cover, strict hoovering regime etc I tried to wean her off the tablets but she was itching like a mad thing, so I go with it - I'd rather she was comfortable now than worry about long-term health implications.

[FrenchyQ]

Doggodogington no we didn't....stops my husband ever getting one tho :p

[Girlintheframe]

Our dog has allergies though I don't know what to specifically.
He now has hypoallergenic food, Yumega itchy dog oil added to his food along with piriton. Touch wood but since starting this last summer he has been fine.

[Doggodogington]

Thank for the tips, I’m going to try everything as what she’s having now definitely isn’t working.