Anyone know of any UK specialist vets who deal with allergies?

[triballeader]

Idiot dog has a history of allergic reactions. To date gluten [horrible] milk [livable but very unplesant] chicken , beef, pork, most fish [thanks for that one just when I thought I had found something safe for you to eat!] and wasps. Yesterdays was her worst reaction yet to a vaccine. It was the new Lep4 instead of Lep2. Semmed okay for the first 24 hours - usual I have been to the vet mithering and grumbling.
Got up the next day to find her out of bed at 6am and trying to use anything she could as a scatching post- again she does this after she has been to the vets due to the cleaning solutions they have to use. Got home an hour later to find she was breaking out in cup sized raised hives that spread as you watched. Then the severe allergic collitis started.......

I have never been on the phone to the vet so fast. Vet made an urgent 'be seen by vet as soon as you can arrive here'. Idiot dog now getting beside herself from itching and hives spreading up neck. Massive dose of steriods and enough anti-histimines to knock out a full grown man she is now back down to bumpy. Vet has reported reaction and is now seeking further advice to find out if idiot dog can have any future vaccines. Vaccination is my preferance as we live near country parks with lots of water and wildlife. Vet has arranged for a follow up appointment for a weeks time. Dog now clearly noted on vets system as to be seen by vet asap if breaking out in hives. Its just a local clinic but it does offer 24/7 access. [Photos show dog's hives when she was back home and well after she had had urgent vet treatment and care]

I am now wondering if I should ask for a referral to a specialist vet to look at both her cealiac response to gluten plus her over reactive repsonses to common things like biological washing liguids.

Has anyone else any ideas on managing a 'reactive' [as in allergy reactive] dog or any ideas of any allergy specialising vets in the midlands?

I don't know any in the Midlands but try calling a reputable animal behaviourist or Animal shelter, I got the details of my excellent vet from one of these who also does pro bono work for animal charities so not fixated on the bottom line. I had a reactive dog for several years, had to be on a low dose steroid plus anti-histamines for life. The steroid has side effects over time but it was a risk versus benefits calculation. Possible problems in later life versus misery for years.

Had an allergy test done via the vet when the problem first came up, and that gave a list of allergens as well as other tips for avoiding triggers. Sometimes if there's more than one then exposure to a further allergen can take things over the top, so by removing a range of allergens, things like vaccinations were less of a problem. Turned out also to be allergic to dust mites and mites in kibble, so had to get rid of a lot of cushions etc, encase pillows, dog beds in anti-mite covers, freeze kibble then defrost in small batches to kill off food mites. Went from regular weeping sores and other problems to relatively minor ones. What you might look for is a vet that is okay with dermatology or a specialist animal dermatologist if you can't find a general vet with those skills. Allergies are a major problem and rising in dogs, so many practices now have people who have a background in this...

I did sometimes have locum vets try to take my dog off steroids for another anti-allergen but the ways in which my dog's skin reacted and the resulting inflammation meant that these did not work sufficiently, without them no skin sores but started to get repeatedly inflamed ears and nasty ear infections.

It’s an absolute nightmare having a dog with allergies, you have my sympathy, your poor dog must be so uncomfortable, my dog has undetermined allergies, not to the extent your dog has but enough to make things uncomfortable at times, sorry I have nothing practical to add apart from my vet is always wanting to take her off or reduce the medication but I won’t have it, I would rather she have a more comfortable but shorter life if it comes to it, she is 10 now I just want her to have the best life possible in the time she has left.

It was a dermatologist that allergy tested mine, but I’m nowhere near the midlands...

Your vet should know who to refer to locally.

There are a large number of veterinary dermatologists in the U.K. Your vet should be able to refer you to one locally:

Mine is allergic to dust mites too, all protein apart from fish. He’s now got anal fistula. Had a reaction to antibiotics. It’s a nightmare. Silver spray is good topically and in water, I’ve also just started on turmeric, too soon to tell if it’s any good but supposedly boosts immune system