Meg and allergies

[Judy, Meg & Polly Wolly Doodle]

I am in Georgia and brought Meg with me the same time of year that we were here last year. Last year Her paws broke out horribly and swelled up and I had to take her to the vet and have several different medications to get them healed. I took the precaution of asking our own vet for allergy tablets to bring with us to help offset that this year...apparently that was a futile effort. so right now we are soaking her feet in Epsom salt twice a day and then putting some lotion on in between and trying to keep her inside as much as possible, apparently Georgia is no place for my girl at this time of year. I am just curious if anybody else has trouble with their doodles pause when they are in Georgia or other high pollen areas?

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

The paws are almost always the first and most severely affected area when a dog has inhalant allergies, otherwise known as environmental or seasonal allergies. Atopic Dermatitis (inhalant allergies) is the 2nd most common type of allergy in dogs, after flea allergy dermatitis, and labrador Retrievers are the second most affected breed. Goldens are also overrepresented. Atopy is an immune-mediated genetic disease. There is no cure, but it can be managed. There is a lot of information in the Health Group on this. 

There are lots and lots of doodles here on DK who are affected by Atopic Dermatitis. We even have a group. 

Typically, if the dog has symptoms 4 or more months of the year, your only effective option is to consult a veterinary dermatologist. Atopy does get worse with age. 

[Judy, Meg & Polly Wolly Doodle]

Thank you for that information as soon as I get home I'm going to read up a lot more on it. Trying to find my way to that group by my phone. I really need to be on top of this.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Here's some info, Judy: 

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

http://www.doodlekisses.com/forum/topics/all-about-allergies

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

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. 

[Judy, Meg & Polly Wolly Doodle]

Thanks Karen, these are things I can do even before I get home.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Also, 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. 

[Judy, Meg & Polly Wolly Doodle]

At home the windows are generally closed, I struggle with allergies myself. We reworked the yard and added several tons of pea gravel for the girls so we can keep it washed down and control the dust as well. Looks like we will need to be diligent about their feet even with the changes. I feel bad that I brought her back to Georgia at this time of year. I love having her with me but it clearly will not be good for her.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

It's possible Meg would be having the same symptoms if she were at home right now, depending on whether or not the same pollens are high in your home area. Here's a link to a pollen website where you can check the levels and the predominant current pollens in the area of GA where you are now, and then you can compare it to the levels and types of predominant pollens in your home area: http://www.pollen.com/allergy-weather-forecast.asp

[Gail+Kathleen,(Sydney+Olivia:)]

Last year was the first year Olivia had bad allergies from the environment in the spring.  I didn't take her to the Vet and should have.  This year her paws were bleeding so I rushed her to the Vet.  She is now on :Apoquel".  Our Vet said it's new on the market and tough to get.  Olivia has been on the meds since Friday and it is really helping with her allergies.  But I think it is upsetting her tummy.  So we are watching and checking in with the Vet every few days.  Maybe you can check with your Vet for the Rx.

This year is absolutely brutal with the pollen here in NJ and it sounds like you are also having a tough Spring..

Our other Doodle, Sydney has allergies year around.  Our Vet suggested Zyrtec (one tablet/twice a day).  It seems to help Sydney most days.  Sydney's allergies do not get much worse with the pollen.  I also give Sydney one 500 mg, Evening Primrose capsule every morning (which was recommended by a DKer).  It seems to be helping her.

I hope Meg gets through this real soon and feels better.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Apoquel is an immunosuppressant drug, and the canine version of the human biologic drug Xeljanz, which is used for human immune-mediated diseases like Rheumatoid Arthritis. 

I would not use it casually. It "helps" the allergies by suppressing the immune system so that it doesn't respond to the allergens, but it's heavy-duty medicine and can have serious side-effects. It has not been used long enough in a large enough sampling of dogs to know just what kinds of side-effects there may be long term. Another similar drug which is used in dogs with Atopy is cyclosporine (Atopica), and you may know that cyclosporine is used in human organ recipients to prevent organ rejection. So these are not just antihistamines or antibiotics we're talking about here. 

I really, really strongly urge anyone whose dog has allergy symptoms more than 4 months of the year to consult a veterinary dermatology specialist, have skin testing done, and then try to go with an immunotherapy program. Sometimes the immunotherapy doesn't help enough and we have to resort to these powerful drugs, but they should never be the first choice, and would not be with a specialist.

[Judy, Meg & Polly Wolly Doodle]

Thanks Gail, aloquel is what the vet sent with us but she only had 15 in the office. I was giving one each day but switcged to two yesterday... should have just enough to get her home. I make sure to give it at mealtimes or with a snack to make it easier on her tummy.

[Judy, Meg & Polly Wolly Doodle]

Actually pulling back now... she threw up this morning. I think we are back to Epsonsalt soaks and a wound cream to help heal her paws