Steroid shot for allergies?

[Discussing Labradoodles & Goldendoodles]

My girl Charley had her one year vet check and I was concerned about her ears and itching. Well she had two ear infections and the vet told me she's pretty sure Charley's paw chewing, licking and over her whole body scratching is being caused by allergies. So i guess if there is an allergy group on here, they have a new member. The vet wanted to give Charley a steroid shot for the itching. I didnt know enough about it to say yes so I opted for Benadryl tablets instead. Has anyone done the shot? Did they have good luck with it? The vet told me that it works for 4 or 5 days and I just didn't want to give her something without doing some research about it. I don't know what the name of the steroid is, but I'm assuming its just a general one if that makes any sense.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Although it will work so will the antihistamines like Benadryl and you can give them as long as there is a problem. That seems like a better solution to me. Many DK members with dogs give Claritin but Zyrtec can also be used. At least for people Claritin is a lot less sedating than Benadryl. The dosages are somewhere on DK.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

This is the beginning of the worst period for seasonal allergies, weed season, depending on where you live. Check pollen.com for your area. 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

You were probably right to opt not to get the shot. depending on what form of steroid it was, it's generally much safer to give steroids in oral tablets on a tapered dose schedule. There are different steroids given in the injectable form, and some of them can have very serious side effects. Once when JD's dermatologist was out of town, his regular vet gave him a shot and his derm vet was very upset about what he was given. That said, the steroids do relieve the itching by suppressing the immune response, and are very useful to treat allergy symtpoms, but they should not be used long term.  Benadryl is not the best choice of antihistamine for alllergy symptoms in dogs. Those of us whose dogs have been diagnosed with Atopy use Claritin, Zyrtec, and other second generation antihistamines that work better and do not cause drowsiness like benadryl does. General practice vets are not well trained in allergies, just as your primary care doctor is not well-versed in allergies or other specialties, either. That's why he/she would refer you to a dermatologist, and so should general practice vets if dogs are showing signs of significant allergies.

Did the vet give you something to treat the ear infections? Any topicals for either the ears or the paws? Both are necessary. 

If Charley is not getting fish oil or evening primrose oil supplements, start giving it now. 500 mg EPO capsules, human supplement, start with one per day. Omega 3 fish oil supplements, human softgels or liquid, you want EPA & DHA Omegas specifically. Pick up an anti-itch cortisone spray for her feet at any pet supply store. Wipe her down every time she comes in from outside, especially her feet, and keep her feet clean and dry. Wash her bedding. When you bathe her, use a good allergy shampoo (I use Douxo Calm), leave the lather on 10 minutes before rinsing, and do not use any leave-in conditioners or other products. Cool dryer or air dry only. We have lots of info in the Health group on Allergies.

And if anyone tries to tell you it's related to her food, ignore them. I wish someone had given me that advice 5 years ago, it would have saved JD a lot of suffering.

And whatever you do, do not do blood or saliva testing, it is a complete waste of money and wildly inaccurate. The only way to reliably diagnose allergies in dogs is through skin testing done by a specialist. Period. 

We do have an allergy group here, it's a private group for owners of dogs who have been diagnosed with Atopic Dermatitis by dermatology specialists. I will approve membership if you want to join it. 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Blushing here. :)

[Stella]

'Like'!!!

[Willow and J]

Itching can be from several different source. Willow was on oral steroids several times over 2.5 years for itchiness and infections, and it gave temporary relief, but if it's really allergies, steroid won't solve the problem. Did your vet check for yeast infection? Willow used to have yeast in her ears, nose, and paws. Her allergies are managed through limited ingredient diet (we are still discovering what she's allergic to: chicken, eggs, fish, and beef so far) and immunotherapy shots (for seasonal and indoor allergies); her ears are taken care of with Thornit powder, but she still gets yeast infection on her paws from time to time (we don't use it for her paws because Thornit is toxic if licked). For paws, I followed advice from DK members and antifungal ointment took care of the itchy paw. We also used Claritin and Allegra before immunotherapy shots become effective. Zyrtec and Benedryl didn't work for Willow.
Hope Charley's itching isn't as complicated as Willow's. The good news is, it will be manageable. It just needs time and patience (and some $).