allergic to grass?

[DukesMommy]

I have been battling itchy skin with Duke for awhile. I have switched shampoos more times than I can count, the latest one is a hypoallergenic shampoo with aloe and oatmeal.
Once I started using a shampoo with both aloe and oatmeal, it seemed his itchiness was improving.
After moving in with my parents, it seems to have gotten a lot worse again, and it doesn't seem to matter which shampoo I use. When I got back from Texas he had started losing hair on his butt, and he had a little red rash on his belly. I think it might be something from their backyard, they have tons of plants, and they constantly take him out back with them despite my asking them not too.
My vet told me to use benedryl to stop the itch, she gave me absolutely no other suggestions other than to say it may be an allergy to fleas, but I haven't found any fleas on him at all..
I was thinking about getting the hot spot spray stuff from petsmart, would that help it or should I use something else?

[Nancy1999]

Have you ruled out food, some dogs are allergic to corn and develop itching problems and many dog foods contain corn? Also since it's an area where he sit's or lays, is it possible another surface besides grass is bothering him? Even some laundry detergents have perfumes in them that can irritate some people. Although many people are allergic to grass it's not from touching it as much as from breathing the pollen from it, but I'm no expert. Have you tried clothing a tee-shirt to see if his tummy gets better? Good luck, I wish I could be of more help.

[DukesMommy]

I haven't tried taking corn out of his diet. Before I didn't think it was his diet because switching shampoos seemed to help. But after moving back in with my parents it started up again. The laundry detergent I use is free from dyes and scents for sensitive skin. When I keep him from scratching his tummy, the rash goes away, his tummy looks like it's dry skin because it starts getting flaky so I try putting conditioner on it, sometimes I even put a little baby oil on it, and that seems to clear it up after a day.

[Nancy1999]

Well allergies can be tricky, Joey's food has corn in it and he has not had any problems, but I know many people who have had problems with corn, I certainly would look for a corn free food and see if that made any difference. What you are doing could be helping to relieve the itching, but the allergy is still there, that's why it could get better and worse. The allergy causes the itching, and the itchy causes they skin irritation. You are helping with the skin irritation, the oatmeal baths for example, but the underlying allergy could still be present. You might want to check on the food and diet forum for foods that contain no corn. It's just an easy way to test him, to see if this is causing it.

[DukesMommy]

Originally Posted by Nancy1999

Well allergies can be tricky, Joey's food has corn in it and he has not had any problems, but I know many people who have had problems with corn, I certainly would look for a corn free food and see if that made any difference. What you are doing could be helping to relieve the itching, but the allergy is still there, that's why it could get better and worse. The allergy causes the itching, and the itchy causes they skin irritation. You are helping with the skin irritation, the oatmeal baths for example, but the underlying allergy could still be present. You might want to check on the food and diet forum for foods that contain no corn. It's just an easy way to test him, to see if this is causing it.

Thanks, I thought about trying to change his diet before, and even talked to the vet about it when I talked to her about his skin and watery eyes and she pretty much told me not to worry about it, and to use the benedryl. so I put off trying a different food but I don't want to just medicate him so I have been trying to find different solutions. I think the food switch may be a good start since I have seen a lot of people mention food allergies.

[Nancy1999]

This is something that bothers me with physicians as well as veterinarians; their basic model of treating is through "medicine," this was more so true in the past than now, because many have learned the value of preventive medicine. Benadryl is a great product, but to have to take it daily before even trying a simple food change seems irresponsible. Since you say he also, has watery eyes, this makes me think it's a food problem as well, since many with corn allergies have complained of watery eyes.

Maybe a homemade diet for a few days could help you discover the allergy.

[Wylie's Mom]

Originally Posted by Nancy1999

This is something that bothers me with physicians as well as veterinarians; their basic model of treating is through "medicine," this was more so true in the past than now, because many have learned the value of preventive medicine. Benadryl is a great product, but to have to take it daily before even trying a simple food change seems irresponsible. Since you say he also, has watery eyes, this makes me think it's a food problem as well, since many with corn allergies have complained of watery eyes.Maybe a homemade diet for a few days could help you discover the allergy.

I too am really taken aback at how few solutions your vet offered you . What are you feeding, exactly? Also, with a rash and hairloss - did the vet not talk about doing a skin scraping? Is the rash/hair loss still going on?

If it were me, I would look at the ingredients in the food (if you post what you're feeding, many of us can look at it for you) - and switch foods if there are allergens/fillers in the food. Or, if you're willing to homecook or feed raw - it's up to you, you'll find support here with whatever route you choose .

It's really important to consider diet w/ dogs because they're just not meant to eat many of the things that are in dog foods. Those things are in dog foods to save money, since meat is more expensive than grain.

[DukesMommy]

I wasn't happy at all with the vet I saw the day I took them both in there, and I refuse to see her again. His hair is growing back thankfully, it was coming out because he kept chewing at it.

Right now they eat Eukaneuba Duke's breeder had him on it as a puppy and it's what Lucie's breeder was feeding also.
After I learned about the foods on here when I was in TX, I wanted to talk to my vet about switching, I was thinking about trying Canidae because my vet sells it. And when I asked her about it, she told me not to worry about switching

[Wylie's Mom]

Originally Posted by DukesMommy

Right now they eat Eukaneuba Duke's breeder had him on it as a puppy and it's what Lucie's breeder was feeding also.

Getting her off the Euk. could make a big difference - it's a really poor food, unfortunately. Do you have any premium pet stores/boutiques near you or feed stores? Often, they sell the best foods available.

Otherwise, Canidae is FAR superior to Euk. - but if you had some stores near you, there would be others I'd recommend too - like Natures Variety, Wellness Core Ocean etc....

[DukesMommy]

I think my vet may have some other types of foods too. But the only stores around here are pets mart and petco. All of the pet boutiques have gone out of business

[yoyo27]

We have problems only in the spring time or summer. But its caused by something outside. They don't have problems in the winter. I have one yorkie that will cough when she is outside when the allergies are really bad. Funny that the vets don't believe in that they say they don't have allergies like we humans do. Well funny that is the only time 2 of the dogs are effected by it. I sure understand how upsetting it is with the vets. Sometimes they don't try other opinions. Just like our doctors do the same thing meds first and just keep changing it to others. I hope you can try the food thing and see if that works for you. Even if you tried the homecooking for a few days to see if they improve.

[DukesMommy]

Originally Posted by Wylie's Mom

Getting her off the Euk. could make a big difference - it's a really poor food, unfortunately. Do you have any premium pet stores/boutiques near you or feed stores? Often, they sell the best foods available.

Otherwise, Canidae is FAR superior to Euk. - but if you had some stores near you, there would be others I'd recommend too - like Natures Variety, Wellness Core Ocean etc....

I went to the natures variety website and I searched for locations it's sold at, and I found a few places nearby, even a few specialty stores a little ways away that sell it along with canidae and wellness.
Which one do you think would be best to try out first?

[DukesMommy]

Originally Posted by yoyo27

We have problems only in the spring time or summer. But its caused by something outside. They don't have problems in the winter. I have one yorkie that will cough when she is outside when the allergies are really bad. Funny that the vets don't believe in that they say they don't have allergies like we humans do. Well funny that is the only time 2 of the dogs are effected by it. I sure understand how upsetting it is with the vets. Sometimes they don't try other opinions. Just like our doctors do the same thing meds first and just keep changing it to others. I hope you can try the food thing and see if that works for you. Even if you tried the homecooking for a few days to see if they improve.

Thank you Duke seems to be bothered more in the warmer seasons too, but unfortunately it still happens in the winter
When my mom had her Rottweiler she took her to the same vet and they had her on all kinds of stuff to control her scratching and joint problems, it was sad seeing how much stuff she had her dog on. I definitely don't want to do that to mine if there is a way to make it go away all together.

[Wylie's Mom]

Originally Posted by DukesMommy

I went to the natures variety website and I searched for locations it's sold at, and I found a few places nearby, even a few specialty stores a little ways away that sell it along with canidae and wellness.
Which one do you think would be best to try out first?

Ooh, yay!!! Then, I'd go for Natures Variety Instinct kibble and throw in some canned as well (for added moisture and better meat content too). NV is just wonderful! I think it will really be a nice change for your baby.

[Mycean]

Originally Posted by DukesMommy

I have been battling itchy skin with Duke for awhile. I have switched shampoos more times than I can count, the latest one is a hypoallergenic shampoo with aloe and oatmeal.
Once I started using a shampoo with both aloe and oatmeal, it seemed his itchiness was improving.
After moving in with my parents, it seems to have gotten a lot worse again, and it doesn't seem to matter which shampoo I use. When I got back from Texas he had started losing hair on his butt, and he had a little red rash on his belly. I think it might be something from their backyard, they have tons of plants, and they constantly take him out back with them despite my asking them not too.
My vet told me to use benedryl to stop the itch, she gave me absolutely no other suggestions other than to say it may be an allergy to fleas, but I haven't found any fleas on him at all..
I was thinking about getting the hot spot spray stuff from petsmart, would that help it or should I use something else?

Have had the very same problems with 4 pound Zoe, tried every shampoo out there, etc. Of course every dog is an individual, but for her, *finally* Dr. Goodpet's Hypoallergenic shampoo and conditioner has helped. For hot spots and to calm itching, Veterinary Best Neem Oil Foam has worked well for the last two years, especially since Zoe is allergic to Tea Tree oil, an ingredient that seems to be in most anti-itch products. Diet wise I have her on all premium raw food, which seems to have also helped. Now for the zinger --don't laugh -- I tie a large white cotton hankerchief around her belly before she goes out on the lawn, and this has worked wonders. Really -- no more red sores and welts that look like flea bites and yet aren't. Keep the grass as short as possible and don't overdo, and fingerscrossed you'll have the good luck we have, she has done so much better this summer!