Allergy or Infection?

[Jane, Rooney & Stuart]

Rooney has always had some minor allergies issues - nothing that we have chosen to have checked out.  I don't want to sound like a bad doodle mommy but sometimes we all just live with stuff and I decided that it didn't seem severe enough to have him put through lots of tests, etc.  He has always sneezed alot and does this face rub thing - to scratch his nose/muzzle.  I have allergies and sneeze often and - well I choose to not medicate myself either.  Up till now I wasn't too worried about Rooney but in the past few months he has started licking his front paws (are they the only ones that bother him or can he not reach the back ones).  We thought something in the grass might be bothering him but as time went on we weren't sure so we put a little bit of bitter apple, or told him "no" - then he starting sneaking off to do it - so then I thought perhaps the feet were irritated (they are so brown and fuzzy who can tell)  and put some GenOne Spray on them, but he is still licking.  I'm calling the vet today to have him looked at but (sigh) I hate the thought of some of the "cures" that might be suggested.  Has anyone else been down this road?  Suggestions as to cause?  Any home remedies that I can try?

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

We go through this with Murphy, but only in the Spring.  With him it's clearly environmental and only lasts a few weeks so it's some allergen that happens to be blooming then.  It's the same....some sneezing and lots of paw and base of the tail  licking.  Since it's just a seasonal thing, we treat with Claritin and I wipe down his paws each time he comes in.  Karen is our "allergy expert" and I'm sure she'll have more specific advice.  Poor Rooney...

[Jane, Rooney & Stuart]

Over the counter Claritin?  Rooney is only 22 lbs so that would be like giving it to a toddler - yikes!  Not sure how I could do that and not overdose him.  Is it a pill or liquid?

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Jane, it's no different than giving Benadryl, except it's more effective. Antihistamines are given to dogs all the time, with no harmful effects. Rooney's an adult dog, regardless of what he weighs.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Unfortunately, what you're describing is the classic sign of an inhalant allergy, and thee is no cure or home remedy for allergies. Something that he is inhaling is causing a histamine response (allergic reaction), and the paws are one of the places most affected. They're itching him intensely. If he continues licking at them, the next step is hair loss, infection, and moist dermatitis, which is the correct name for hot spots. Plus it's driving him crazy.

Claritin or Zyrtec (NOT Benadryl) given in conjunction with evening primrose oil and/or fish oil can help. There are also topical sprays and lotions that can be applied to his feet. Keto-chlor is a good one, you might ask the vet.

I wouldn't let the vet tell me it's from food, it's not, and unless he's already developed an infection or hot spot, I'd avoid giving himTemaril-P. If he needs steroids, there are topicals like Genesis the vet can prescribe. I'm not sure if GP vets know about that, though.  Hopefully your vet knows better than to give him a cortisone shot, but just in case, you don't want one.

And the vet should do a scraping to check for mites.

Dusting, vacuuming, washing food & water bowls daily, washing bedding weekly, can all help, as can wiping him down (not just his feet, his whole body) when he comes inside, and frequent baths with a good allergy shampoo. (No hot dryers, no "leave in" products, shampoo stays on 10 minutes before rinsing) If you can control the itching and other body parts don't become involved, you may be able to get through this without meds. But if it continues or gets worse, you may have to see a veterinary dermatology specialist. Allergies sometimes don't show up until a dog is 2 or 3 years old, and they get worse with time if left untreated.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Yes, and Jane if you haven't already notified your Vet of this you may want to get Pet Insurance now before it's a pre-existing condition (officially).  You'd have to wait a little while after getting the insurance before talking to the Vet but it might be worth it.  I don't think that's really dishonest because your don't KNOW that he has an allergy.  Treating as Karen suggested should buy you some time.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Oh, if there's no insurance, I would make sure that the word "allergies" doesn't get put in his medical records, if it's not already there.

[Marnie, Stanlee's Mom]

Allergies in animals are grouped by the symptom or the allergen that provokes.  It could be food, medication, insect venom, environmental, respiratory, or skin.  It could be a topic, inhaled, or consumed allergen and really the only way to determine this is through thorough testing.  Our older dog, Cooper, is what we term a “pink skinned dog” and had horrible food allergies that actually got worse with his age.  Once we took him off grain his chewing subsided and we no longer deal with feet and base-of-tail constant chewing.

 

Good luck with this and I hope you figure out the cause quickly.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Allergies to anything inhaled are all the same type of allergy, Atopic Dermatitis. What are referred to as environmental allergies, skin allergies, respiratory allergies, inhalant allergies, are all forms of the same thing, Atopy. Food allergies are much rarer (only 10% of all allergies in dogs are due to food). In both cases, the symptoms are the same, intense itching caused by a histamine response to the allergen on the part of the immune system.True allergies are a disease of the immune system and the allergens must enter the blood stream by inhalation or ingestion to trigger the response. Contact allergies are a separate thing. There is no accurate test available for food allergies. And flea allergy dermatitis remains the most common type of allergy in dogs.

[Marnie, Stanlee's Mom]

Jane, here is a fairly good article that may help.  It's easy to understand, too. 

http://www.vcahospitals.com/main/pet-health-information/article/ani...

 

Good Luck, I know that constant licking/chewing can drive you nuts!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

A spray with praxomine and colloidal oatmeal can help temporarily. Here's a link for one: http://www.anmpharm.com/spraypruritic

Otherwise, OTC cortisone spray from the pet supply store.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I used the cortisone spray for Murph....it really seemed to give him temporary relief.

[Jane, Rooney & Stuart]

Was nervous but I gave Rooney his 1st Claritin at 3:00.  I gave it to him so that I could watch for any adverse reaction but he seems just fine right now, so is it preferable to give it in the a.m. or p.m., I do realize that the dose is 1 per day and good for 24 hrs.  Any suggestions on that.  2 hours later I don't see any feet licking (can it work this soon?) so I'm taking that as a positive sign but will let you know if a few days.  I will also pick up some over the counter cortisone spray and hope we have it under control.  Wonder if the cold weather in Michigan will help.  Rooney says "thanks"!!!!