When does seasonal allergy itching end??

[Heather & Brinkley]

I know itching has been the topic of many many discussions here (including mine when I took Brinkley in, he got a Prednisone shot and pills, then started throwing up blood... blah, blah :).  )   But when do seasonal allergies end (approx.  as I know it depends on the climate, area, etc.) since this time of year is known to be the worst for allergy sufferers, canine and human alike.  He found relief for some time, even after the Prednisone treatment ended, but this past week and half he's back to itching, (and I'm back to spraying anti-itch spray on areas before they turn into nasty hot-spots) and the cycle continues. 

Also, does anyone have any suggestions for an oatmeal shampoo that is easy on their skin.  I tried a new oatmeal shampoo yesterday and today he tried to eat a hole through his foot (kidding, but I'm wondering if this shampoo agitated him even more... or maybe certain spots didn't get rinsed well enough, even though I kept going over it again and again.)

I hate seeing him like this and want to know when I should expect the seasonal stuff to subside and if doesn't around that expected timeframe, he may need an allergy specialist trip. 

Here's his latest sock barrier.  The start of the hotspot area is on the backside of this leg.  You can't tell in the pic but I did cut small holes in the sock around he area where agitated area as to allow air flow. 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Vivian, olive oil contains Omega 9 fatty acid, which is not helpful for allergy inflammation and not an essential oil nutritionally, since both dogs and humans make it themselves. It's a very good oil, but for the inflammation from allergies, Omega 3s and GLA are the only oils shown to be effective in clinical trials.

Coconut oil is controversial, and there are no proven benefits for allergies, but at any rate,  for a dog who is prone to opancreatitis, I would avoid saturated fats.

Evening primrose oil capsules contain GLA, which is converted in the body and works with EPA to reduce itching and inflammation. They were recommended for Jack by both his dermatology specialist and his holistic vet.

True allergies are a disease of the immune system, and cannot be cured, only managed. Food of any kind, raw or cooked, does not help, although there are nutrients in certain foods which may make things better or worse. Cooking the food does not affect these nutrients.

[Vivian & Mojo]

Thank you Karen I will make a note of that, how about the extra virgin coconut oil?

As for the raw food its not the cooking I have concern with its all the ingredients in the kibble that could possibility affect a dog, maybe not as much if grain free and additive free, I know many are. Mojo had a problem with several kibbles and does better on raw but after his neutering this past Monday so was cooking him chicken and yams for a few days and he was fine with that. He did get itchy at times when eating kibble, orijen at first than switched to Natures Verity Instinct grain free.( But the itching was not very bad so we had no hot spot issues) I joined the food group to learn more about food but in the mean time have him back on raw.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Well, I'm not going to get into the raw food/allergy issues here, lol, I've had that discussion quite a few times over the years and it doesn't get anyone anywhere. Scientifically and clinically, there is nothing that raw food can do to affect allergies (or any other disease), and allergies that are not food allergies (which is 90% of them) are not affected by specific kinds of foods, but may be affected by fatty acid content and storage mite content. Believe me, I wish I could find any kind of evidence that any of these holistic allergy treatments were effective , but I've been looking for 5 years and so far, nothing. I was given similar advice about raw foods when JD was first diagnosed, and it didn't help at all. But many people believe in these things, so I say if it works for you, great. However, when advising others, I stick to scientific facts and information that can be verified scientifically, because i would never want anyone else with a sick dog to go through what I did. :-)

 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I just wouldn't give a dog any kind of liquid oil other than fish oil, and for one who can't tolerate fats, I would only use the gelcaps. The fat content in an oil is the same whether it's virgin, extra virgin, etc. and all oils are 100% fat.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Whoops, just read this. I had just responded to a comment you made, that the amount of oil was small and the amount of fat less in a gelcap, but I see you have clarified that all oils are 100% fat.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Heather, is he getting any fatty acid supplements? Fish oil or evening primrose oil? Any antihistamines? Those two together are essential if the itching is really due to inhalant allergies.

The other common allergens are dust mites and storage mites (also known as cereal mites), molds both indoors and out, dander from other animals like cats, feathers, wool, and insects. Most of those things other than the insects and the outdoor molds are year round irritants, though, and not seasonal. If they have atopy, it's usually to multiple things, but when there's an overload, like when the ragweed hits for Jack, they flare. The rest of the year their immune systems can handle it with some help. And of course, food allergies are year round, too.

The rule of thumb for consulting a specialist and doing testing is if the dog has symptoms 4 or more months of the year; then you need to think about immunotherapy, which requires that you know exactly what the allergens are.

 

[Heather & Brinkley]

He eats Orijen six fish and gets an antihistamine.  See my question above regarding Primrose.  It seems weird to me that both times I started the primrose, within days he was at the vet for pancreatitis.  Can primrose's fats do this to a dog that is prone to pancreatitis? I didn't think it could but it seems like an odd coincidence.  

We aren't at four months yet so I'm crossing my fingers.  

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

It's possible the EPO doesn't agree with him, I guess. What kind of antihistamines is he getting?

Have you joined the Atopic Dermatitis Suppot group yet? You may not need it, but there might be some info there that would be helpful.

[Heather & Brinkley]

No, I haven't joined that group but I will! Thank you!

Claratin first but that didn't work as well as Benadryl for him so now Benadryl. 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I remember that.

I think it might be worth your while to see a dermatology specialist if you can swing it; this may not be atopy at all. You might get some good advice on supplements or antihistamines that are beyond the scope of your regular vet. 

[Heather & Brinkley]

Yeah, it may come to that very soon. I wonder if those visits are covered by insurance (not that that would be a deciding factor in taking him, but it sure would be nice.)

Thanks again. 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

If the insurance was in effect before you first consulted the vet for the itching or other symptoms, the specialist should be covered, but check your policy to be sure.