All About Allergies- Jackdoodle's Test Results

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

This is what an intradermal skin test looks like. This is Jackdoodle's, and here's how it works. Two control injections are given- pure histamine, which produces the strongest allergic reaction the animal (or person) can have, and saline, which does not produce any reaction in anyone. The skin reaction to saline is a zero, and histamine is a four. Seventy-four common allergens are then injected and the reactions are measured against the controls to determine what the dog is allergic to, and HOW allergic he is. the scores range from 0- (no reaction) through 4 (severe reaction). The red welts in the photo are the reactions.
Jackdoodle did not score any 1's or 4's.  He had lots of zero's, only two 2's, and twelve 3's.
The substances that he is moderately allergic to are cat dander and maple trees.
The substances that he has significant to severe allergies to are: Dust mites (2 different species), storage mites (more on this later- this has to do with kibble, and all dry cereal type foods), Fescue grass (which we have in our yard),Johnson grass(anybody know what that is?), Quack grass(ditto), Red clover, Cocklebur (a weed), Lamb's quarter (another weed), Ragweed, Corn pollen, and one species of mold that is common both indoors & outside in wet places, including puddles of water and plumbing pipes, called Acremonium Strictum, or Cephalosporium acremonium (cephalexin antibiotics come from this). Whew.

[Cynthia, Elvis & Pink]

Karen - I have a cat with inflammatory bowel disease and is recovering from a bad flare up. I just learned how to give her weekly injections of B-12 a couple of weeks ago. It's a lot easier than it seems like it should be. The only problem I had was the first time when I stuck the needle all the way through the skin fold and got B-12 all over her.

It's actually easier to give her a shot than it is to pill her :-)

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Thanks so much for this reassuring info! This is the next big hurdle.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Jack showed some early signs of immune system problems from the third month after I got him. In 2007, my regular vet referred me to a dermatology specialist. I had had a foster dog years ago who had to be euthanized because of this same type of illness, which is called Atopic dermatitis, or atopy. Over time, it becomes worse, and the dogs damage their skin and create infections, etc., which can actually be life-threatening. Plus they are so miserable, it's unbearable to see...it's just not an acceptable way to live. I did not realize the gravity of Jack's condition until I saw the specialist. She believes this is one of the reasons his original owners gave him up. This past fall, he had some very very bad flare ups with infections, hair-loss, and such intense discomfort that we had to give him doses of corticosteroids which, if continued, would damage his liver and shorten his life. So this was really the only way to go. I can't see keeping an 80# young dog, whose greatest joy in life is running through the woods chasing a ball, indoors for the rest of his life, and these are the choices. (We spent a miserable summer & fall last year with no exercise!) I will also be doing a lot heavier, more thorough cleaning, and washing his bed, bowls, etc. more often. I am trying not to be obsessive, the specialist is very helpful about reassuring me that none of this is my fault.
I have also never had a single allergy in my life, and to be honest, before I had Jackdoodle, I privately thought that most people's allergy problems were mostly in their heads. So I guess life has taught me a lesson!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I should also say that this condition is genetic, it runs in GR's and labs, among other breeds (shepherds & dobes also have major problems with it)and these dogs should NOT be bred! Atopy normally shows up between the ages of 1 and 3, so a conscientious breeder ought to be able to tell if a dog is showing signs of it, and eliminate that dog from their breeding program. To do otherwise is to possibly sentence the puppies to a life-time of misery. Of course, Jackdoodle was originally purchased from a pet store...so puppy mill genetics, poor guy.

[2m42srv7vi6sq]

Karen,

I am so sorry that poor Jack and you have had to go through this! Our GR lived on allergy shots, for the entire 11 years we had him, and lived in the country and ran with other dogs and had a good life. I think you will be pleased with the results from shots. Our dog went through this 22 years ago, when they knew much less about allergies in dogs.

Cealeach is over whatever was causing her problems. Her vet says he does not understand how she could have been so bad, for so long, and then just cleared up. I have a suspicion that one of our neighbors was spraying fertilizers and the wind blew it over here. The reason I think that is that Bella started showing signs of itching and skin lesions. It is pretty unlikely that she would develop allergies this late in life and our neighbor is a dog hater and his garden is his life. He has been known to use all kinds of chemicals and doesn't care if they harm man or beast. He is a crotchety old 83 year old. this is the same guy that set my election sign on fire.

Our vet is a firm believer in holistic medicine and has suggested that we give Cealeach granulated garlic and olive leaf, from a local herbalist. We have been doing this for about 2 weeks, with both dogs, and have seen absolutely NO ITCHING on either one. Since the weather has been pretty warm and wet and molds have been growing everywhere, from the dampness, I think it is helping.

Give Jack Doodle big hugs and kisses from us. I hope that he starts feeling much better from his shots!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Thanks, Gail. I am so glad to hear that Cealach & Bella are doing well, and that apparently, Cealach doesn't have atopy after all! I wouldn't wish this on my worst enemy! (Well, maybe on my worst enemy, but not on my worst enemy's DOG, lol!)

[Cam & Oski]

"crotchety old 83 year old. this is the same guy that set my election sign on fire"

Wow! I grew up in North Dakota & some of the people there were pretty parochial in their views--a not insignificant number had never even left the state much less the country but I've never heard of someone setting another person's election sign on fire much less going after their dogs. Let's just hope that "karma" isn't just a story line from My Name is Earl :P

[2m42srv7vi6sq]

The funniest thing was, it was a JOHN MCCAIN SIGN!!!!!!!!

[Cam & Oski]

A crotchety pyromaniac old liberal! LOL

[ClarkP]

Oh Jack! I feel bad for your "test patch". ;-) I too had allergy testing when I was a youngster and had these same dots all over my back. At least they didn't have to shave me. :-)

[Lake Girl, Lizette]

Hey Karen and Jackdoodle,
I am so sorry to hear about all his allergies. I REALLLLLLLLLY understand. My oldest son had to be tested at two which is rare because test results are not always accurate, but he was on allergy shots until he was around 16/17 years old. Several years ago my hubby got stung by a red wasp and was in the hospital for a week with a severe reaction that caused him to be covered in whelps and itch like crazy. He is still taking allergy shots and had to build up his dose just like Jackdoodle has too. YOU WANT ME TO SEND HIM OVER TO HELP? HE KNOWS A LOT ABOUT ALLERGY SHOTS. I really hope you can get all this resolved for the fella. I can only imagine how miserable he is with so many allergies. We hope you all have a great New Year and thanks for the update!! From Lizette, Molly, & Nestle

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Thanks, Lizette; how far are you from Chicago, I may take you up on that offer!