Irritated Summer Skin

[Seamus & Haidee]

Here we go again…Its that time of the year when Seamus starts licking his leg (in the exact same spot as last summer).

I want to avoid prednisone this year and try to help him naturally. My vet just called me and told me to try Zyrtec 10 mg, 1 tablet twice daily.

Anyone else having this problem right now?  Poor doodle;-(

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Labrador retrievers are the number 2 breed affected by seasonal allergies, and Goldens are over-represented as well. Lots of us here have dogs who suffer from Atopic Dermatitis, otherwise known as seasonal/environmental/inhalant allergies. True allergies are a genetic disease of the immune system, and there is no cure, but it can be managed. Treatment options are limited, your best bet, especially if you want to avoid drugs, is to consult a veterinary dermatologist for skin testing and immunotherapy. Otherwise, your only option is immunosuppressant drugs. Unfortunately, for bad flares, you do need to use drugs. For milder symptoms, you can manage to keep the dog comfortable with antihistamines, fatty acid supplements, and life style changes. 

Some info: http://www.doodlekisses.com/group/healthandmedicalissues/forum/topi...

From the above link:

For temporary relief of inhalant allergies, here are some things that you can do:

Give Omega 3 fatty acid supplements. You want the Omega 3 fatty acids DHA & EPA, which are only found in fish. You can also give GLA in the form of evening primrose oil supplements. In both cases, use human softgel supplements. 

If you feed dry dog food, check the Omega 6:3 ratio. You want a ratio of 5:1 or less, the lower the better, and the Omega 3 content should come from fish.

Give antihistamines. Different antihistamines are more effective for different dogs. Typically, you want second generation antihistamines that do not cause drowsiness, like Claritin, Zyrtec, Atarax, etc. rather than Benadryl.

Use OTC anti-itch sprays on the affected areas. These are available at most pet supply stores.

Wipe the dog down every time he comes in from outside, paying particular attention to the feet. Brush the dog daily.

Keep the indoor areas where the dog spends the most time as clean and dust free as possible. Wash bedding weekly, wash food & water bowls daily.

Keep dry foods in air-tight storage containers and don;t buy more than you can use in a month unless you can freeze it. 

Bathe the dog often, weekly if possible, with a shampoo formulated for allergic dogs. (I like Douxo Calm). Do NOT use leave-in conditioners or other grooming products. Use a cool dryer setting or air-dry. 

As much as I hate doing it, keeping windows closed really helps with pollen allergies. Run the A/C in warm weather especially, the allergy symptoms are exacerbated by humidity. Use a furnace filter with a high allergen rating and change it monthly. 

[Seamus & Haidee]

I have on hand Omega 3 by NutriGold which I take. (1250 mg)   Do you think it would be alright to give Seamus who is 34 lbs one of these soft gels?

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

The Omega 3 fatty acids that will help are EPA and DHA, from fish. If the product you take is a fish oil product, that's fine. There are several different Omega 3 fatty acids, (ALA for example) and many of them come from plant sources, which you don't want. 

[Seamus & Haidee]

ok great- this is 1000mg EPA + DHA from fish oil. Thanks! I opened the gel and he licked it up! Fish burp;-)

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Just noticed that I gave you most of this info last summer, lol: http://www.doodlekisses.com/forum/topics/itchy-skin-prednisone

[Seamus & Haidee]

Thank you Karen!  Im going to print all this info and save it as it may occur every summer.  I appreciate your help!!

[Judy, Meg & Polly Wolly Doodle]

We have a similar problem with Meg only it presents between her toes and then gets worse.  It happened last year in Georgia and I thought we were prepared when I took her along with me this year but just using the Zyrtec was not enough.  I posted...again...and got the information from Karen, again.  We got her on the mend before coming home and have decided we MUST keep her on the Omega 3's all the time.  She is doing well at home so we do not have her on the allergen but will not travel without it again and when that occurs we will build her up with the allergy tabs before leaving home. So, Omega 3 daily, year round, addition of Zyrtec previous to travel and Epsom salts handy to sooth.  Lesson learned here as well and thankfully Karen was willing to step in and remind me.  Wish I had learned the lesson the first time and she would have been better protected.

Epsom salt baths helped calm the area and you may be able to do that with wet compresses soaked in an Epsom solution three or four times a day.

[Seamus & Haidee]

Thanks for the tips on Epsom Salt! 

[Seamus & Haidee]

How much Omega 3 do you give Meg?

[Judy, Meg & Polly Wolly Doodle]

Meg gets 1,000 mg right now, when that runs out she will be on the same ones we use and those are 1,400 mg.  She took that much before.  I don't think weight has anything to do with it but she is about 75#'s.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

I just posted this in the health and medical group.  We took our Springer to the dermatologist yesterday for his allergies and I was given a list of over-the-counter human meds we could administer. 

Just so you can compare, here are the suggested dosages for our 44 pound dog:

Zyrtec (certirizine) 10 mg.                       -    2 tabs twice a day

Tavist (clemastine fumurate) 1.34 mg.     -   1 to  1.5 tablets twice a day

Chlortrimaton (chlorpheniramine) 4 mg.  -    2 tablets twice a day

Benadryl (diphenhydramine) 25 mg.       -     2 tablets 2 - 3 times a day

 We also give Gordie EPO.

[Seamus & Haidee]

oh wow! My vet said two Zyrtecs (10 mg) was ok for Seamus and he is 35 lbs.  Ive been giving him 1 Zyrtec per day and its been great.  I would like to discontinue it soon so I will have to see how he does without it. Keeping my fingers crossed. Meanwhile, Omega 3 have also been great. Thanks for all the tips!!