Meg and allergies

[Judy, Meg & Polly Wolly Doodle]

I am in Georgia and brought Meg with me the same time of year that we were here last year. Last year Her paws broke out horribly and swelled up and I had to take her to the vet and have several different medications to get them healed. I took the precaution of asking our own vet for allergy tablets to bring with us to help offset that this year...apparently that was a futile effort. so right now we are soaking her feet in Epsom salt twice a day and then putting some lotion on in between and trying to keep her inside as much as possible, apparently Georgia is no place for my girl at this time of year. I am just curious if anybody else has trouble with their doodles pause when they are in Georgia or other high pollen areas?

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Judy, Apoquel is overkill for Meg's symptoms. I would cut it back and discontinue it- ask the vet how to go about that. I know that abruptly stopping prednisone can have serious consequences, not sure about these biologics. GP vets have limited knowledge and even more limited tools for treating allergies, and Apoquel has been marketed aggressively to GP vets...dermatologists, not so much.  

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I would use an anti-itch spray on her paws rather than a cream...the sprays dry quickly and don't rub off like creams. If she has infected her paws, there are topical treatments you can use on them. Resi-Keto-Chlor lotion is what JD's dermatologist prescribed when his paws were bad. Maybe you can ask the vet for that. There is also a topical steroid, Genesis, which we have used in combination with the Keto-Chlor when his paws were very bad. There is no need for a systemic medication if the problem is confined to her feet. Only when the symptoms are severe and systemic should the vet being prescribing oral immunosuppressants. 

Get a bottle of 500 mg evening primrose oil softgels today and start giving one per day along with generic Zyrtec. The two work better for allergy symptoms when used together.

[Gail+Kathleen,(Sydney+Olivia:)]

Oh, no!  After reading your notes, Karen, I am upset with our Vet.  He said Olivia already had infections.  The top of her head was very red, the top of her snoot was very red and scaly, it was very red around her eyes.  She was aggressively chewing on her paws, constantly, for several days.  I asked the Vet if is was a steroid and he said "no".  He also gave Olivia a shot of Convenia (antibiotics) which he said lasts 2 weeks for her infection.  When I called him yesterday to let him know that Olivia was vomiting bile, he cut the Rx from 2x a day to 1x a day.  I hope this means that he is weaning her off the Apoquel.  Do you know anything about Convenia?

Olivia's appetite has been off and on since I had her to the Vet this past Friday.

Last year, I did not take Olivia to the Vet and she got through her allergies in a couple of weeks.

I have Sydney on one EPO a day (thx to F.'s suggestions) and one Zyrtec 2x a day.  But Sydney has year around allergies.  She seems to be doing better than normal since I started the EPO last week.  If it's like our vitamins, does it take several weeks to notice improvement?

Judy,  I hope Meg is OK.  Lucky for you that you have Karen's advise.  Wish I would have checked with Karen before reacting and running to the Vet.  $400s later and poor Olivia is not herself.

Thanks, Karen for all you info!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Kathleen, I cannot urge you strongly enough to consult a dermatology specialist. No, Apoquel is not a steroid, but it is a heavy duty medication that suppresses the immune system, and there are kinder, gentler treatments that can help manage Sydney's Atopy. Only a dermatology specialist can do the necessary testing. Any dog whose allergy symptoms are severe enough to cause the dog to infect herself needs to be in the care of a specialist, IMO, and any GP vet who does not at least offer to give a referral is IMO negligent. My vet is far from perfect, and he has to make a living as much as the next guy, but I will always be grateful to him for referring us to JD's dermatologist and not even attempting to treat his Atopy on his own.

Convenia is an antibiotic in the cephalosporin family. It's strictly for infections, it will not do a thing for the allergy symptoms themselves. Convenia can also cause GI problems like inappetance and vomiting. Dogs should always be on a good probiotic when they are on antibiotics, and for a period of time afterwards.

The EPO and Zyrtec will help lessen the symptoms, but they are just not enough for severe flares. 

[Gail+Kathleen,(Sydney+Olivia:)]

Thanks, Karen.  Can you suggest what probiotics I can give Olivia?  (powder to her food?  pill? capsule?  and the amount?  Olivia is 32 lbs.  I appreciate your info, Thanks, It's Gail 

Guess our Vet office could be $$$$$ hungry?????  Perhaps time to research other reputable Vets

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Proviable DC is an excellent probiotic for dogs. I would order the capsules. Dosage should be provided with the product. You can order on-line.

I would simply ask your vet for a referral to a dermatologist and see what kind of response you get.