grass allergy in Bull Terrier

Question
Hi dawn, I have a nearly 5 yr old spayed Eng Bull Terrier who has, we think, grass allergies...Weve had a record setting allergy season here in central coastal ca due to the heavy rains and mild weather, in about mid april, she began to show a few tiny blisters between her toes, we were at an agility trial over the weekend, then on mon every foot ,between every toe burst into tiny, clear blisters, then seemed to fillw/ blood then burst..(this episode actually may be the culmination of a good 4 months of nearly weekly comp in obed and agility in 4/5 very disparate grassy areas all over ca, all in heavy bloom  )the vet I use here put her on tetracycline and vit b support, she cont to become more inflamed and began to show signs of infection, I took her to her breeder,sevc hundred miles away, who's also a vet, and she explained that Bull Terriers are very prone to this type of situation, feet swell in response to an allergen ,pores close tight, trap bacteria and set off infection....We txd w/ Baytril of Cipro and Pred w/ excellent results, but seems to recur if she goes totally off the pred.My actual quuestion is...have you seen this when you were a vet tech, and did it seem seasonal or year round ? what mehods seemed most effective in tx, and is she allergic to walking on grass or inhaling pollen from the grass bloom? Thank you so much ! Denny P.

Answer
Hi Denny,  What I have seen in the past is that walking on the grass is the problem.  Have you tried booties?  She may not like them at first, but it might help.  It is very common for Pred to relieve the problem, and then when they go off it, it comes right back.  Have you tried Benadryl?  I have seen both seasonal & year round in the bull terriers, a lot of the sporting breeds, french bulldogs & many others.  It is so sad about the allergies, but great to hear how she is competing.  Its always the good ones who get the allergies.  I don't think AKC will allow her to compete in booties though (very good question though, I think I'll have to look into that one).  Hope this helps a little.  Wish I could be of more help.  

Dawn