my shiba inu is allergic to dust mites

Question
I can't afford the shots that the veterinarian recommended we give him, so please are there any alternatives?  He is loosing his hair and I've tried everything! Is there a generic over the counter drug that I could give my dog for dust mites?

Answer
Hi Lisa,

Would it help you afford allergy shots, if you paid them off over an agreed upon period of time? Many vets are open to paying off a bill, if it's discussed with them. There's also CreditCare, a special credit card you can apply for that you use to pay off medical and veterinary treatments. To read more about CreditCare, go to:
http://www.carecredit.com/

The most reliable method of controlling dust mites is to maintain a clean home. Dust mites love to live in bedding, carpets, upholstered furniture and clothing; regular vacuuming and laundering, will decrease the chances of an infestation. They also thrive in areas of high humidity, so running an air filter and dehumidifier may also cut down on the impact of dust mites.

In addition to general cleanliness, dust mite spray that reduces or eliminates the number of dust mites is readily available. Some types of dust mite spray are made of a natural ingredient, while others are the chemical insecticide types. Steam cleaning seems to be a successful method because mattresses and furniture can be treated; the heat of the steam kills off established colonies of dust mites. Using a pump sprayer filled with dust mite spray set on a fine mist can be highly effective, although regular applications of the dust mite spray may be necessary.
Sprays to look for are:

Use Research X-Mite carpet solution on carpets
Good Night Dust Mite Spray
Bis sell Across Dust Mite Spray
Allusive Destroy Anti-Allergen Spray
Research ADAMS Dust Mite Spray

Treating the home with anti-dust mite sprays is successful 70 percent of the time in a course of two to four weeks. Re-treatment is usually necessary every four to six months.

Laundering clothing in special anti-allergen detergents may also prove helpful to those who are extremely sensitive to dust mites, such as Allersearch Wash Detergent, or Allergen Wash Laundry Detergent. If you'd rather, you could use your regular laundry detergent, but add De-Mite Laundry Additive to your wash.

If your dog has stuffed toys, put them into a large garbage bag every month and put the bag in our freezer for 48 hours. This apparently also kills the dust mites.

Washing your bedding and your dog's bedding with eucalyptus oil virtually eliminates these dust mites, according to researchers at the University of Sydney in Australia.
The researchers got rid of 99 percent of the mites on wool blankets by soaking the blankets for 60 minutes in a solution of 6 tablespoons eucalyptus oil (0.4 percent concentration), 1 1/4 tablespoons liquid laundry detergent and 13 gallons of water. They then rinsed the blankets in cool water. Without the oil, the laundry detergent alone got rid of only 2.4 percent of the mites. You can purchase eucalyptus oil at most natural food stores or wherever essential oils are sold.

You can try giving your dog an Omega-3 and Omega-6 Fatty Acid supplement. These fatty acids are natural anti-inflammatory agents. They reportedly are helpful in 20% of allergic dogs. They tend to reduce inflammation that may lead to skin sores but are not as effective in reducing itching. Products to look for that contain both omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids include: 3V Capsules, Omega Pet, Derm Caps, and EFA-Z Plus.
You'd need to give this supplement daily for at least a month before results may be seen.

Over the counter antihistamines can be effective in controlling the itching. The drawback is they can make a dog sleepy, just like they can do for humans. For that reason, it can be best to give the antihistamine at night. Talk to your vet for a brand recommendation, and to get the correct dose.

Best of luck,

Patti