Very itchy! (All over...) *UPDATE* #2

[J and Riley (and Luna)]

For about the last day Luna has been scratching herself ALL over.  Excessive grooming of her paws, scratching her face and body etc.  Her eyes have also been watering more than usual.  

Since Ragweed season just started, I figured that was the problem (since I have ragweed allergies and they've been bad the last few days).  I gave her a Reactine yesterday and this morning hoping it would help, but she's still scratching.  Last year at her checkup the vet had said reactine was fine 1/day for her size if we suspect she has seasonal allergies.

She was scratching SO much last night that she was keeping us awake - my husband actually bathed her at 4 AM hoping it would give her some relief.

She hasn't eaten anything unusual, she has no skin symptoms (that I can find anyway) other than a bit of redness, probably from all the scratching.  

Do you think this is a cause for a vet visit or is it probably just seasonal allergies gone crazy?

*UPDATE*

New symptom... small hive-like bumps on her tummy and a few places on her body.  She's also rolling around on the floor in discomfort on occasion.  

 

Hives are usually an immediate reaction... why now?  WTD?

 

Also - if I run my fingers along her skin... she tenses her skin muscles (in a reflexive way).  It's really weird.

 

Maybe a vet visit is in order after all.  Hopefully they can fit us in tomorrow when they have evening appointments.

 UPDATE #2

 

Okay, so Reactine (20 mg/day) isn't working and Claritin didn't do any better (15 mg/day).  I want to try Bendaryl, because Luna's scratching is getting to the point where she is damaging herself (little scratches caused by her claws, spots on her face losing hair due to rubbing).  I have read a few different sources that say 1 mg/lb every ~8 hours.  I want to call the vet to confirm, but I thought I'd ask here too.  

 

Does anyone know the safe recommended Benadryl dosage for dogs?

[J and Riley (and Luna)]

 UPDATE #2

 

Okay, so Reactine (20 mg/day) didn't work and Claritin didn't do any better (15 mg/day, half of JD's dose since Luna is about half his size).  I want to try Bendaryl, because Luna's scratching is getting to the point where she is damaging herself (little scratches caused by her claws, spots on her face losing hair due to rubbing).  I have read a few different sources that say 1 mg/lb every ~8 hours.  I want to call the vet to confirm, but I thought I'd ask here too.  

 

No new symptoms, just LOTS of scratching and grooming.

 

Does anyone know the safe recommended Benadryl dosage for dogs?  I realize it will probably make her sleepy, but at this point I think I'll take a dopey Luna over one covered in scars.

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

Awe man, I was hoping she'd be feeling better by now. :(  ..I would call the vet's office and they should be able to give it to you over the phone. Also, you can't get the shampoo with cortozone off the shelf but the vet should be able to get you a bottle (for like $30). I hate that we can't get it at the pet store here...

 

Poor sweet Luna! It's not the best idea, especially long term, but if you're desperate you might want to consider asking your vet about prednisone. I bet once the fall comes and rag weed is gone she'll be fine.

 

If it becomes an ongoing dilema, I'll put you in touch with Winston's dermatologist in Montreal.

 

I hope she feels better soon!

[J and Riley (and Luna)]

Last year it was just ragweed season, so hopefully it will be over soon.  She is scratching less than she was when it first flared up, but still too much for our liking (and hers!)  I would be really hesitant to put her on prednisone, so I'm trying to exhaust all the other options first.

The vet said 25 mg 3x/day for her size, so we'll try that starting Wednesday when I'm home to watch her for a reaction.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I hope the Benadryl helps.

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

me too. I just picked up Claritan for Winston. He's been doing so well, next to no symptoms for months, and then boom, scratch scratch scratch. I think if I can prevent infections then it won't drag on all winter like last year. When I adopted him last september he was in such awful shape, (probably from being left outside all the time) but I really think I can keep it under control this year.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

10 months of the year, you would never know Jack had allergies. Last two weeks of August, boom! If you can manage him through October, he'll be fine until ragweed time next year.

[J and Riley (and Luna)]

Good news!  It looks like (so far) the Benadryl is working.  Luna is scratching a lot less and is getting some much-needed deep sleep.  Just in time, because she had started to rub off her eyebrows on the carpet and cut herself with her dew claw right near her eye...sigh.

Hopefully it will keep working and Luna can spend a little more time outside.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Good news.

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

wow. I'm glad she's getting releif. Benadryl did nothing for winston but I'm sure glad it helped Luna. Get some rest!

[J and Riley (and Luna)]

That's weird, different immune systems I guess... I suppose that's why there are so many different allergy  medications on the market!

Luna's pretty sleepy, but she still asks to play so that's awake enough by my standards ;)

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Benadryl did nothing for JD, either, or most of the dogs in the Atopic Dermatitis group.

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

So glad to hear Luna is improving!!! :) It sounds like the poor girl was miserable!