Allergies?

[Jen and Annie]

I've been MIA for awhile, but something has come up and I am looking for suggestions.  We have been living in an area where we walk on a gravel pathway, or dirt pathways on our daily walks with little exposure to grass, mostly just brushy forest...  About a week ago, we moved to an area where we now walk on sidewalks and lots of grass.  Within 2 days of getting here, Annie has gotten so itchy you would think she is covered in fleas.  I gave her a bath and didn't find one bug on her, but she is itching her legs, her shoulders, belly, chest and butt like crazy, and also randomly grinding her face into the ground to scratch it. I'm wondering if it's possible that she is allergic to grass, since that is really the only 'new' thing she has been exposed to recently, (at about 1.5 - 2 hours of walks per day) and there are no fleas...  She has not had a change in diet, nothing new except our atmosphere...

Anyone had an allergy test done, and how much do those run?  Since we are not established in our new city yet, I don't know of ANY vets (much less reputable ones) in the area just yet... 

Does this sound like allergies, to anyone familiar with them?  Anything I can do for her until we find a vet?  Any and all feedback and experiences are welcome!  I just feel terrible for her.  It seems the only time she's not itching over the past several days, is when she's asleep or eating.

[Sally S Miles]

I would also do some research into what sort of chemical treatment is being used to promote the grass or kill weeds,  insecticides and or other treatments - check whether the water used for irrigation is recycled or fresh.

Are there any differences in indoor living as well? Carpet? new paint or other surfaces?

[Jen and Annie]

The challenge with checking into chemicals and fertilizers, is that we walk by several residences.  It's a city area, and we are walking down sidewalks.  She is mostly walking in the areas between the sidewalk and the road, I try to keep her out of people's official yard if possible.  The yards and easements look amazing so I'm certain there is some chemical treatments in nearly every lawn we walk by.  As far as indoor living area, the new place is a bit dusty and I've been cleaning, so stirring up some of the dust.  Hardwood floor in the new place, carpet in the old place.

We're going to give her a bath today with an oatmeal rinse.  She is still itching a little, but not nearly as bad as yesterday. (we are back at the old place for a week).  I am going to have to research dermatologists in the area, I'm wondering now if she is allergic to several things like some of the other posters...

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Allergens must be organic substances: things which are made up of proteins that can bind to receptors in the bloodstream and produce an allergic response. (There are also contact allergies, but those are not the same thing. True allergies are caused by the proteins getting into the bloodstream through inhalation or ingestion.)  Synthetics like paint and chemicals don't have proteins which can cause the immune system to produce the antibodies that then trigger the allergic response. When dogs are tested for allergies, they do not test for chemicals, or things like carpet cleaners, lawn fertilizers, insecticides, paints, cleaners, etc., because the body does not make antibodies against them. There is no question that these things can be toxic or make someone very sick, but you cannot develop a true allergy to them, and they do not cause a histamine response. The histamine response is what is causing Annie's itching. 

If a carpet was pure wool, there could be an allergic response to that. 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Of the dogs in the Atopic Dermatitis Group who have been tested, all have been positive for multiple allergens. 

JD tested positive for 15 things, including 2 types of dust mites, storage mites, 1 type of mold, 1 tree, and many types of weed and grass pollens. And there are dogs who tested positive to a lot more than he did. It would be very unusual for there to be just one trigger. 

Dust mites are a very, very common allergen for dogs. 

Dogs can also be allergic to the dander of other animals. JD was positive for cat dander. 

[Willow and J]

They test for human dander too, and I was very happy that Willow was not allergic to humans. :)

[Jen and Annie]

For anyone interested, I have an update.  After giving Annie 10MG Claritin in addition to her fish oil pills with breakfast (I started with a small dosage of Claritin just to see how it works, I think technically she should be getting 2 or more based on her weight, but...).  Thanks Karen, for that suggestion - I have found it's kinda hard to find the evening primrose oil, I guess I will have to find a supplement shop or health food store for that.

For the past few days, the itching has subsided tremendously, and almost to non-existent.  So I think (with your help!) we have solved the mystery in that she indeed has some sort of allergy.  Thank you so much to all who responded with your experiences and suggestions.  If Annie could talk she would thank you too!  I can tell she is definitely much more comfortable when she's not itching!

[F, Calla & Luca]

Good news. As for the EPO, I get mine from Puritan's Pride on line. They often have sales, buy one get two free etc. I use the 500 mg, Calla gets three, Luca one, every morning followed by a treat.

[Jen and Annie]

duh, I could look online!  I've only had one cup of coffee so far this morning...off to the keurig with me.

 

Is it weird that Annie just takes the claritin from me and chews it up?  I don't have to disguise it at all.. I just wanted to see if she would take it without smelling like food, and she does!  

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

You're lucky that she takes it like a treat! 

I buy EPO at my local Safeway grocery store. The CVS has it too. Most places that have a good selection of human supplements will carry it. But as F said, you can get it on-line  from Puritan's Pride and the prices are very good.

JD's dosage of Claritin is three 10 mg. tablets once per day. He weighs 82 lbs. 

I'm glad the antihistamines have helped Annie. The fact that they did does seem to point to an inhalant/seasonal allergy. Hope she continues to do well!