Alfie is not so good.

[Mistymillar]

So after my last update thinking Alfie was improving and getting better, well think it was wishful thinking and only our preventative measures were making a difference.
So if you don't already know, Alfie has been suffering from first baldness and then terrible itching since he was 12 weeks old. We see our vet every 2 weeks have had a second opinion and still none the wiser.
Right now he only gets bottled water and a hypoallergenic dry food - nothing else at all except for a little liquid calpol (infant paracetemol, agreed with vet) very occasionally when he is just so uncomfortable he can hardly sleep.
All toys bedding and my own and hubby's jammies washed in hot water only and my birds have been banished to the spare bedroom, poor babies.
Alfie wears a medical cone, pyjamas and socks 99% of the time, only getting these off for his daily brush and short supervised playtime ( he gets loads of playtime just limited without jammies and cone)

So, after thinking he was a little more settled last night was heartbreaking, he went to his own bed in the living room as usual he is always really good at night, never hear a peep. At 3am I woke up and heard him moving about a little, no problem, then whimpering, so I get up to check him and I don't know how but he had managed to get out of his collar and jammies, only had one sock on and had ripped the skin under his arms to shreds, clumpy, bloody hair. Devastated I cleaned him up, dressed him, gave him calpol and lay with him on the sofa the rest of the night, he settled. Gave him a little more calpol this morning before we left for work and he was groggy when my son checked in on him at lunchtime as he usually does, groggy but not tearing himself apart.
We have our referral for the vet derm appointment Monday morning, I hope she takes one look at him and recognises the problem.
Apart from his "self harm" he is generally, feisty, playful, loving, energetic and crafty, eats ok, ( he puts on weight but is not a food fan) poops and pees well, is never lethargic and the sweetest wee dog in the world.

No questions, just wanted to let you know how we are getting on.
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[Farleys]

Have you tried apple cider vinegar yet?

[LanaHamilton]

Oh poor little baby! I hope you find answers soon!

[Mistymillar]

Originally Posted by Farleys

Have you tried apple cider vinegar yet?

Hi, no not yet, because we have moved from different investigative states with my vet (second opinion agreed With method of elimination) this first started when he was only 3 months and is now just over 6 months, he has already had 2 courses of antibiotics and steroids, 3 injected intensive mite treatments and antihistamines. Tough love with hyper controlled foods and detergents. Each treatment takes several weeks to complete and determine results.
Apple cider vinegar is not a common remedy here as far as I know, and as we are working with both vets for now, because we also have different environmental influencers in UK I think I will continue for a while.
Food allergens alone can take a full 12 weeks to fully eliminate from the body which is half his life span.
I want him better now, but know that if I flit from possible cure to cure I am damaging the integrity of the results that could help us identify the route cause and get a long term or permanent cure.
I just need to make sure he cannot escape from his jammies, socks and cone for now.

[Buster Brown]

Poor baby boy. I bet Alfie was thankful you came in to ease his discomfort and cuddle with him. Sending prayers you find out what is ailing your sweet boy on Monday.

[LILBIT1]

Poor thing

[cummins]

I would like to suggest that, you go to chewy,com and order canine cavar,it has really worked wonderful for my little Dolly I know this is hard to believe but within a week she had stopped itching, I cannot say enough good things about this food

[_Chrissy_]

Oh... I feel so sorry for the little guy.
I hope Dermatologist knows whats wrong.

[Farleys]

Originally Posted by Mistymillar

Hi, no not yet, because we have moved from different investigative states with my vet (second opinion agreed With method of elimination) this first started when he was only 3 months and is now just over 6 months, he has already had 2 courses of antibiotics and steroids, 3 injected intensive mite treatments and antihistamines. Tough love with hyper controlled foods and detergents. Each treatment takes several weeks to complete and determine results.
Apple cider vinegar is not a common remedy here as far as I know, and as we are working with both vets for now, because we also have different environmental influencers in UK I think I will continue for a while.
Food allergens alone can take a full 12 weeks to fully eliminate from the body which is half his life span.
I want him better now, but know that if I flit from possible cure to cure I am damaging the integrity of the results that could help us identify the route cause and get a long term or permanent cure.
I just need to make sure he cannot escape from his jammies, socks and cone for now.

Yep, i am aware of all these things. I have 2 dogs with severe skin problems as well.
Apple cider vinegar does not effect any oral treatments or food trials.
You bathe them in it. IT gives almost immediate releif. For open sores you must dilute with water tho.
I PERSONALLY avoid steroids. They Do not treat anything, they simply cover up symptoms.
However from all the research i have done( not saying this is true) Dogs and cats neither one are BORN with allergies to food. They have to be exposed to them for quite some time before this can occur. SO chances of a puppy that young having food allergies is not common. But eleminating certain foods can help certain symptoms.
I have been a tech for 14+ years so have dealth with alot of allergies in cats and dogs.

[yorkietalkjilly]

Does he itch without the clothing on, too? Was wondering if the warm air held close to his body by the clothing during the day and PJ's at night can start him itching or something.

[Patti]

Poor baby. My Cali has bad allergies. After testing,food elimination trial and different medicines, the vet put her on Atopica and it was a miracle. She was on it everyday but i have been able to get her to 1 pill every 3-4 days. I hope you can get some relief for little Alfie. I know when Cali was scratching herself raw it was miserable for her and me.

[Farleys]

Originally Posted by yorkietalkjilly

Does he itch without the clothing on, too? Was wondering if the warm air held close to his body by the clothing during the day and PJ's at night can start him itching or something.

I was also thinking this same thing.
I also know of some dogs with SEVERE skin problems and keeping them shaved very short everywhere makes them feel soooo much better. There skin is able to breathe. And helps alot with yeast infections too. My best friend just rescued a dog that has mange. As soon as his hair starts to grow he gets yeast infection all over his back and legs. Which i know is secondary infection from all the sores and itching. When she shaves him, it drys up and heals and he is much less itchy.

[kjc]

So sorry to hear this news... wishing you the best at the vet derm appt. I know you've tried so many things already and you're doing the best for him to get him through this. Keeping you both in my prayers.

[MishyMish]

I hope this gets resolved and look forward to you telling us all.

[Mistymillar]

Originally Posted by cummins

I would like to suggest that, you go to chewy,com and order canine cavar,it has really worked wonderful for my little Dolly I know this is hard to believe but within a week she had stopped itching, I cannot say enough good things about this food

I would love to get him on canine caviar, but they don't distribute in UK. I am exploring some of the European Stockists but haven't found any yet that ship here.