dogs shaking head

Question
QUESTION: I have 3 chi's, and they are all allergic to something,I have had their ears  checked, got allergy shots, but nothing is working,,now they are taking Temparil P, it worked while they were taking it twice a day, but now since they are on it once a day, it is not helping, I have tried everything, I even had a varl test done on one of them, so what else can I try.I changed their food, steam cleaned carpet, quit smoking in house, now what?

ANSWER:
Hi Patsi,

With all three of your dogs being affected by the same condition you can rule out a food allergy, or some sort of environmental allergy. It would be really unlikely that all three of your dogs would be allergic to the same thing.

This sounds more like there is some sort of parasite. You might not actually see fleas on your dogs. Most of a flea's life is spent in the environment, not on a dog. Your dogs should be on a monthly flea preventative program, such as Frontline or Advantage. Has sarcoptic mange been ruled out? Did your vet do a skin scrape test?

You mentioned changing your dogs food. If by some unlikely chance this was a food allergy all three of your dogs have developed, simply changing the food might not change their itching. To see if this is a food allergy, your dogs would need to be on a diet containing a source of protein and carbohydrate that they have never eaten before. Examples would include be rabbit and rice, venison and potato, or fish and barley. There are a number of such commercial hypoallergenic diets available in stores, or you can get a hypoallergenic diet from your vet's office. Regardless of the diet used, it must be the only food your dogs eat during the food trial period. This means no treats, no flavored medications, no rawhide or pig's ears; absolutely nothing but the special food and water.

If after being on a "food trial" of a hypoallergenic diet for at least 8 weeks they continue to itch, then you can rule out a food allergy as the culprit.

You didn't say if you bathe your dogs, or if you do, how often that's done. That, all by itself could cause the itching problem you've described. A dog shouldn't be bathed more than two or three times a year at the most. If you currently bathe your dogs, stop. It would probably be a good idea to give your dogs an omega 6/3 fatty acid supplement, to help their skin heal. Keep in mind, you would need to give your dogs the omega 3/6 supplement daily for at least 6 weeks before you can judge whether or not it's working.  Brands of omega fatty acid supplements to look for are: DermCaps, OmegaDerm, EFA-Z, or 3V Capsules. Ask your vet what the dose would be for your dogs.

Whatever the primary cause of the itching, if your dog chew and scratch themselves enough, they may have secondary skin conditions such as staph dermatitis or yeast dermatitis, which would add to the itching. These conditions would need treatment beyond the itch suppression you've been providing. Talk to your vet about this.

I hope I've touched on something that could be helpful to you. If you'd like to get back to me with additional details, please do.

Best of luck,
Patti






---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I bathe them once every 3 months, then put resicort on them, but that doesn't help either, I will go get Frontline to see if that helps.,they eat boiled chicken sometime fried, liver,Sensitive Natural dry food with no soy,no wheat,I just started them on that about 4 months ago.their treats are pup perroni lean beef .

ANSWER:
Hi Patsi,

It would be against all odds for three dogs to develop an allergy. The odds are simply too great to think that is the problem here.  The medications you're using treat the symptoms, but the itching returns because the situation which is causing the itch remains, whether due to over bathing or fleas. Stop bathing your dogs, treat their secondary yeast or bacterial infections, use a monthly flea preventative and more likely than not, they'll stop itching.

If not, it's time to consult with a veterinary dermatologist. If your vet can't give you a recommendation, you might find a veterinary dermatologist here:

https://www.acvd.org/locator/locator.asp

Best of luck,

Patti


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: My chi's are on omega supplements, I bathe them about once every 3 months, they are also using Frontline, I ordered a bag of Z/D from the vet to see if that helps, when they start that, that is all they will get, I know they probably won't like it, but they will have to learn to eat it, I didn't get a skin scrape test, but wouldn't the Varl test tell me the same thing, one of them had that Varl test and it showed that she was allergic to Bermuda Grass,Mold,Ragweed,Salmon,SweetPotato and Fleas, I keep her away from everything, how long before I can tell if it is Fleas, from the fronline I put on them10/8/12, because their still shaking their selves.will a skin test tell me more or a blood test.

Answer

Hello Again,

Frontline starts killing Fleas within 24 hours of application. It won't stop itching of old flea bites. Your dog that was tested as having an allergy to grasses should see relief once it gets cold enough, and the growing season stops. Don't feed that dog foods that contain Salmon or Sweet Potatoes. Check to be sure that the Omega Supplement you're using doesn't contain Salmon.

I've already told you of the extreme unlikeness of three dogs in one household having a food allergy. I'll say it again:

1. Stop bathing your dogs!!

2. Treat their secondary yeast or bacterial infections.

3. Use a monthly flea preventative.

4. If not nothing works, it's time to consult with a veterinary dermatologist.


I can't offer you anything else in the way of help.
Best of luck,

Patti