Poison Ivy

[Joan Boutilette]

 I found a bunch of Poison Ivy in my yard and I am covered in it.. My 2 doodles are really itchy can   they have it too.  This just started  they are already on grain free and I always give them coconut oil...

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

We had a discussion about poison ivy here just a couple of weeks ago. Here's a link, lots of good info: http://www.doodlekisses.com/forum/topics/please-share-your-knowledg...

Coconut oil taken internally is of no known benefit to dogs; the fatty acids which help dogs with itchy skin are the Omega 3 fatty acids  DHA and EPA from fish oil, and/or GLA from evening primrose oil. You can give human softgel capsules for both. 

[Joan Boutilette]

thanks I'll check it out now

[Lynda Kamrath]

Oh my, I guess you could say I have had more experience than most with this subject.  My ALD, Harpo, had poison oak almost constantly last year and just had systemic poison oak earlier this year.  The vet thought he might have Addison's because nothing else showed up on his tests, but I recognized it as systemic PO because I have had it three times.  And yes, some lucky dogs can get poison oak or poison ivy.  My labradoodle used to get it, and my ALD is very susceptible to it, but my other dogs have not had the pleasure of having their tummy and ears massaged with Technu and warm washcloths cleaning them up.

Harpo was on prednisone for two weeks and that seemed to bring him around but he was one miserable dog.  Systemic PO is poison oak on the inside and you do not have a rash and skin irritation, but it is more like a flu (that is all I can relate it to).  I got it the first time from skiing in hot weather (shorts and tank top) after a  light case of PO, the next time from cooking cashew nuts on the ground in Brazil (I made medical journals there), and the third time from standing on my deck when there was a PO hill on fire a few miles away and getting the smoke on me (and I guess inhaling some).

So, the treatment of choice is Technu soap for topical irritation (I buy it by the quart) and steroids.  Get some Technu right away for yourself, it was developed as a nuclear decontaminate and found to be effective on PO and PI.  Get someone to get the PI off your property and don't touch it yourself.  We live in an area of oak covered hills and PO grows under the trees.  Harpo can  never be off leash now when we are out walking.  Yesterday we took the dogs out on BTLs (bike tow leashes) so we could ride our bikes and walk them at the same time.  You will find what works for you, but to make it short - Yes, some dogs CAN get PO or PI.

[Bonnie and Kona]

Just agreeing with you wholeheartedly, Lynda. Kona got poison oak often and shared it with me every time my DH ran them in a certain area. Technu helps but when it's bad you have to get the steroids. 

Good luck, Joan!!!

[Lori, Quincy & Frankie]

I was once covered in PI on my inner thighs - could not figure out how.  Then  I realized my dog would rub up against me, through my legs, and her coat had the PI oil on it!  Lucky for her she did not get symptoms.  Our property is wooded and has tons of English ivy with PI mixed in - luckily Quincy has not been bothered by it (at least not yet).  Good luck with your doodle!  Technu, as Lynda stated, is really effective.    

[Gail and Bailey]

I feel for you!  When I had it recently, I had a steroid shot and it really helped!  Hope you feel better soon!

[Shoney & Ruby]

Just a quick note, some people [me, my daughter and I suspect some of you, and maybe your dogs] can have severe side effects to corticosteroid and other steroids prescribed for relief of poison ivy/poison oak. Even if you don't have a severe reaction these steroids are powerful drugs and shouldn't be taken without a lot of thought and in my opinion, should not be taken frequently.