Layla is not feeling well :(

[marcerella02]

i am at my wits end with her allergies... i just dont' know what to do.... it snowed so HOW She is still affected by allergies i dont' know.. but then again maybe i don't know MUCH about allergies.. her ears are SO red... i feel so bad for her... i gave her benedryl today which has knocked her out but i think she needs more than this. hwoever i'm nervous to go to the vet because i don't want to put her on steroids. Is this the next step or can they give her something ebtter than benedryl but not as extreme as the steroids??? any help or info or suggestions are great.. my poor girl is suffering can they still suffer from alleriges in the winter?

[Luckyone]

Bridget had some nasty allergies. She was chewing on her paws all the time. They seemed to go away when I switched her to Canidae.

On a personal note. I suffer all year long. I don't know what I'm allergic to but my eyes always itch, I can't breathe well and my throat is always icky. My doctor told me to start with cleaning my house. Top to bottom. Vacuum several times a week, wash my bedding in hot water once a week and make sure to vacuum my bed and furniture. Also this time of year, make sure the filters on your furnace are clean and it's not a bad idea to get your ducts cleaned out either. We run a pellet wood stove here since it gets so cold and my doctor told me that can irritate allergies as well.

I hope some of this helps. I know how hard it is when you feel like you can't 'fix' them.

[FL Tink]

poor lil Layla...hope you figure this out soon!

[marcerella02]

Originally Posted by Luckyone

Bridget had some nasty allergies. She was chewing on her paws all the time. They seemed to go away when I switched her to Canidae.

On a personal note. I suffer all year long. I don't know what I'm allergic to but my eyes always itch, I can't breathe well and my throat is always icky. My doctor told me to start with cleaning my house. Top to bottom. Vacuum several times a week, wash my bedding in hot water once a week and make sure to vacuum my bed and furniture. Also this time of year, make sure the filters on your furnace are clean and it's not a bad idea to get your ducts cleaned out either. We run a pellet wood stove here since it gets so cold and my doctor told me that can irritate allergies as well.

I hope some of this helps. I know how hard it is when you feel like you can't 'fix' them.

Great info thanks! i don't know anything about allergies myself since i don't suffer so it's good to hear, EXCEPT that you suffer ALL YEAR LONG not good! i sure hope that isn't the case for my Layla!

[simonandhallie]

Oh Layla We hate that you don't feel well. Hallie is on prednisone at the moment because of a nasty allergic reaction so something, I still don't know what it was.

I have allergies too and they are bad all year. I run a humidifier which seems to help me and clean like crazy

I hope Layla gets some relief soon~

[yorkiegirl83]

I suffer allergies to a few things, my furbabies included and I'm on an inhaled stereroid to help me breathe called advair.

I'm not sure how dog allergies work, but there are allergens all times of the year for humans depending on what you're allergic to.

There's a lot of mold during the winter so maybe she is suffering from that

I hope she feels better soon! Poor little Layla -- it stinks dealing w/allergies.

[Luckyone]

I think the most common allergies are mold, dust/dust mites, dander and outside stuff. With the snow, it should knock out a good bit of the outside stuff since nothing is blooming etc. I'd bet her allergies are probably dust type stuff. I remember you inherited your grandmother's cat, could the cat dander be affecting her too? I'm not sure how that works.

Yeah It sucks but I think I'm getting used to it. I clean and take allergy pills. Not much more I think I can do. And if I am allergic to my dogs, I'm not getting rid of them. I'll suffer.

[LIL MIS' MAGIC]

Sailor has allergy issues - at times worse than others. We have gone through steriod shots, but they did not last long enough - she started itching again before she could have another shot. So then we tried some various rounds of pills.....with some relief. Our vet said the next step is allergy testing and then allergy shots for what she is allergic to. The one thing we saw that helped the most was a change in food from Pro Plan to Natural Balance Sweet Potatoe and Fish.

Good luck with your allergy issues.....it can be very frustrating! We ended up accepting the steriods when Sailor developed the beginnings of a "hot spot" on her shoulder. We plan to proceed with the allergy testing and shots - as we understand that to be more of a long term solution.

Hang in there and give Layla hugs from us.....keep us updated on what you do that helps her!

[marcerella02]

Originally Posted by LIL MIS' MAGIC

Sailor has allergy issues - at times worse than others. We have gone through steriod shots, but they did not last long enough - she started itching again before she could have another shot. So then we tried some various rounds of pills.....with some relief. Our vet said the next step is allergy testing and then allergy shots for what she is allergic to. The one thing we saw that helped the most was a change in food from Pro Plan to Natural Balance Sweet Potatoe and Fish.

Good luck with your allergy issues.....it can be very frustrating! We ended up accepting the steriods when Sailor developed the beginnings of a "hot spot" on her shoulder. We plan to proceed with the allergy testing and shots - as we understand that to be more of a long term solution.

Hang in there and give Layla hugs from us.....keep us updated on what you do that helps her!

Thanks so much! Is allergy testing expensive?? I'm sure it is.. everything for these little guys is Please let us know how it goes when you get the results back.. i'd be very interested to hear!

[chachi]

Poor little Layla. I hope you can find something to give her some relief. My Jewels has the itchies although it doesnt sound as serious as Laylas

[kalina82]

have you ruled out food allergy? that seems to be a big one for our little guys. i'd go with the allergy testing from your vet to see what she is allergic to if you've tried other avenues. Then they can prepare a special allergy shot you can give her to alleviate the itches. There are also non-steroidal antihistamines you can get from your vet before the steroid route.

[marcerella02]

Originally Posted by kalina82

have you ruled out food allergy? that seems to be a big one for our little guys. i'd go with the allergy testing from your vet to see what she is allergic to if you've tried other avenues. Then they can prepare a special allergy shot you can give her to alleviate the itches. There are also non-steroidal antihistamines you can get from your vet before the steroid route.

well i homecook and nothing there has changed... and since her alleriges aren't ALWAYS here.. i dont' think it is that.. but allergy testing sounds like it is going to be the answer for us!

[kalina82]

Originally Posted by marcerella02

well i homecook and nothing there has changed... and since her alleriges aren't ALWAYS here.. i dont' think it is that.. but allergy testing sounds like it is going to be the answer for us!

i thought you home cooked. Do you always use the same ingredients/protein? does it seem that her allergies come out more after a certain meal you've fed her?

[LIL MIS' MAGIC]

Originally Posted by marcerella02

Thanks so much! Is allergy testing expensive?? I'm sure it is.. everything for these little guys is Please let us know how it goes when you get the results back.. i'd be very interested to hear!

I have not yet asked about the cost of allergy testing. We are currently trying one of the non steriod type antihistimines and most days it is working. But when this stops working.....as everything else has over time....we plan to pursue the allergy testing options. We think - and are guessing - that Sailor's allergies are connected to grass.....and the only way we will gte past that is by allergy shots....since she does play outside with the other pups and goes outside to potty.

Have you started using a shampoo for itchy skin? Our vet sells one....but the one that works best for us is a Tropicanna Oatmeal shampoo and no conditioners or other products. Everything else we use makes the itching worse and therefore we are adding some Fatty Acid to her diet to help her coat instead of conditioners. We cut Sailor's hair down at one point....but saw no difference in the itching.....so this year it has been growing back.

[marcerella02]

Originally Posted by kalina82

i thought you home cooked. Do you always use the same ingredients/protein? does it seem that her allergies come out more after a certain meal you've fed her?

yes... i always use the same ingredients... i use about 5 different protiens that i freeze in daily portions so that i can try and "mix things up" however, some weeks she will just have chicken because that's what we made for ouselves and i like to give her fresh if i can... and she will have alleriges just the same as if she was having beef... i've completely taken grains out of her diet.... i know part of it is environmental because whne the dandilions fluffed this summer.. she was a mess.... and then in the fall i know is bad allergy season and again... she was horrible... so i honestly don't think it is food.... but it could be.... lol... even when she was on fish for a week she was itchy... *sigh*