Jasper's allergy woes

[Niki & Jasper]

Hi everyone,

I just went to the vet since Jasper has been itching like crazy.  Last year around this time we were experiencing the same thing which I also started a discussion about (http://www.doodlekisses.com/forum/topics/itching-out-of-control).  I am pretty confident that it is seasonal allergies since he is only uncomfortable from September - November.  This time the vet has prescribed us Vanectyl P - I start Jasper off with 4 tablets a day for 4 days, then bring it down to 2 for a couple days, and then 2 every other day.  I know one of the main side effects of this is increased drinking and urination which I am a bit concerned about since he is alone at home during the day for about 6-7 hours, however, I will get someone to come relieve him after a few hours if that is the case. I also got a topical spray called Topagen.  The active ingredients in this are gentamicin and betamethasone. 

Does anyone have any experience with these two medicines?  The 1-2 claritins that Jasper was getting a day was not exactly doing the trick anymore and I am curious to see if anyone else has had success with either of the two medicines.

Thanks so much!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

There was a recent discussion on Vanectyl-P:

http://www.doodlekisses.com/group/healthandmedicalissues/forum/topi...

The Topagen is a combination of antibiotics and steroids. 

If by "success" you mean stopping the itching, both meds will do that. However, nothing is going to cure the allergies or make them go away, and unfortunately, they often get worse with age. The best way to treat them is through immunotherapy shots, which requires skin testing by a veterinary dermatologist. Otherwise, all you can do is treat the allergic symptms with oral and topical steroids, as you are doing.

Dermatology specialists can also recommend effective fatty acid and antihistamine treatment for symptoms, and seem to use steroids more judiciously than the general practice vets. 

[Niki & Jasper]

The vet I spoke to said to hold off on going to an allergy specialist and getting the tests done for at least another year since he feels Jasper is too young at the moment.  He also mentioned that there are no visible signs that Jasper has been itching/licking like crazy... for example he has not lost any fur as of yet and his paws are also not that red/sore looking as others with allergies, so basically to just hold off.  Next year I will most likely end up going to a specialist since I know that will be better for Jasper in the long run

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

That would make sense except for the fact that he has Jasper on two different forms of steroids, both oral and topical. That's pretty aggressive treatment if the symptoms are not that bad. When JD's allergies flared, and he was itching and licking like crazy, with fur loss, his specialist used one or the other, not both, and never oral steroids if it could be avoided.  

[Niki & Jasper]

Based on that information, I think I'll just use the topical spray and see how that goes before starting him on the Vanectyl!  Hopefully that + the claritin I've been giving him + 1000mg of EPO a day will be enough to ease the itching.  I also ordered some Douxo calming shampoo which should arrive in the next couple weeks!  Thanks so much for your input, I hadn't considered how aggressive using both of those might be.