My dog has an allergy

[LadyAgripina]

Hi, I have a jack Russell terrier. She has always been allergic we don't know to what. Red skin in ears, paws and tummy. As we are expats, she's been around the world with us, but no vet has given her anything except Corticoids when she is very affected. Her vet in London told me nothing is wrong when I took her for other reason (she was not so bad by then). I know that I have to make an appointment this week but before that, I wanted to find out if somebody has or had the same problem with their dogs and if there is any vet with a focus in allergies (may be natural remedies) that you know if? Thank you!!

Dermatologists specialise in skin issues, including allergies. Some info here: vetspecialists.co.uk/fact-sheets-post/allergies-in-cats-and-dogs/

Allergies can be environmental - in which case blood/skin tests can be useful for trying to find out what is triggering them.

Or can be food - in which case, tests are often useless and the best method is a strict elimination diet.

Thank you very much for the info! I'll read it through 😘

Does she have acrylic blankets/bedding? Our dog was allergic to those and the problem disappeared when we swapped all bedding, sofa throws etc to cotton.

You can ask the vet to test for allergies but they can be very expensive and still not give you a definitive answer.

My staffie has skin problems, I think it's like hay-fever as it only seems to happen in the summer but our vet said to use Priton and that seems to take down the irritation. We also use hibbi scrub to wash him off as well.

Maybe keep a diary of what they are eating, places you have been, washing powder etc it might help you pin point whats been around them when they have a flair up.

Thank you x the advice! She is now eating special gastrointestinal food only, but it does not change the situation (the vet suggested because she had some gastric problems). Also she had the skin irritation in different contries with different foods and beds and environments. I will look for the things you mentioned, thank you so
Much

Piriton is ceterizine? Is a special one x dogs? Or is the same things. I am giving her Benadryl (prescribed by vet in the past) and is getting better.

I forgot to mention you @WhatsTheEffingPoint

Most antihistamines are similar, its trial and error to which is the best active agreement.
I was told by my vet Ceterizine just like we would take would be fine and not to get sucked in to paying for the branded name as if you look at the active ingredients they are the same 🤷‍♀️

I find a tablet a day works OK, if he's having a real flair up or extra irritable then he gets two, one morning, one early evening. Often with allergies you can't cure them but you can remove or reduce what is causing the irritation, it's just a long game to play testing things out.

Good luck 😊

Chicken can make dogs really itchy. Maybe worth switching to a grain free fish based food.

What is the specialist food? And what other foods have you tried in the past?

My dog is allergic to the sun. Which is worse in the summer with the stronger rays. He takes a steroid every day in the summer.

Get the vet to do a scrape and check under the microscope. Sometimes the normal mites that live on all dogs can become problematic and need treatment. This can present like an allergy.

I currently suspect my dog has an allergy to something. The vet had prescribed apoquel for two weeks and said if that stops him itching it indicates that he does have an allergy and will need a blood test to identify what it is to. Apoquel is not an antihistamine apparently and does not treat the cause but will give a good indication what should happen next

My dog is allergic to wheat and is now fed on an entirely grain free food which has resulted in no more itchiness. The other thing that makes him red and itchy is grass especially in spring. What I've found that clears him of that is natural bio yoghurt with a spoonful of apple cider vinegar (with the mother in it).

Mine is allergic to 'something' in the environment as his nose runs and eyes get all gloopy around the autumn time. On vets advice we give him a piriton a day when it starts until winter when whatever is upsetting him goes away.

Thank you @WhatsTheEffingPoint I will try if necessary. She is doing well with Benadryl for now. My vet in my country also advised to go x the same meds as us

@SatsumasOrClementines the food she is having now is Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Dog Gastro Intestinal in loaves and in those little balls (mixed).

@gettingusedtothelimelight chicken?? Wow I'd never had thought.

She used to be allergic to grass one younger but she is no longer, because her tummy is fine now, it's only ears and paws.

Somebody told me about apoquel, but I imagine you need a prescription.

Thank you all!

@lancashirelady where do you get the grain free food?

It's funny that my dog is having the same ailments as me (allergy, problems with gluten).

Our Border had skin allergies. She used to have piriton and evening primrose capsules. I used to bulk buy the piriton online.

I agree that mites can present like an allergy
Bravecto - one tablet and you can know for sure that this is not the cause!!

Thank you @MrsDoctorDear and @ruthieness