My poor Labrador every summer has really bad allergies. She constantly is itching and biting. I give her an antihistamine twice daily and a bath every other week. I'm thinking about making an appointment with our vet for possibly prescription strength antihistamine. We use oatmeal shampoo for her baths and she's on flea/tick preventatives, but we are running out of options. Anyone here experience the same with their pets? Any other suggestions what we can do?
Anyone here have dogs with bad allergies/ dry skin?
- Thread starter JJH
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Kitsunebaby
Member
The vet can give you a medicated shampoo for her. Worked for my dog when her thyroid medication caused her skin to flake.
Robot Pants
Member
My corgi gets really bad allergies on his paws from some pollen that's around my apartment that I just moved into.
Last year was awful for him, this year not so bad as it seems a lot of those trees have been removed. But what helped him was a paw fizzy (think of Alka seltzer but you soak their feet in it) and a balm I rubbed on his paws.
As for dry skin, he had some of that on his underside but I use an oatmeal shampoo just like you and it did the trick. Hasn't come back so far. But this time of year I have to give him a bath much morr frequently than normal.
Last year was awful for him, this year not so bad as it seems a lot of those trees have been removed. But what helped him was a paw fizzy (think of Alka seltzer but you soak their feet in it) and a balm I rubbed on his paws.
As for dry skin, he had some of that on his underside but I use an oatmeal shampoo just like you and it did the trick. Hasn't come back so far. But this time of year I have to give him a bath much morr frequently than normal.
Smokey_Run
Member
We rescued an older dog a few years back and discovered she had allergies the next summer, the vet started with a shot every couple months, but when that wasn't as effective, we got a pill that helped a lot.
Shamrock7r
Member
I would definitely look into shampoos. For the short term maybe offer some benadryl?
For bad allergies, antihistamines and shampoo are usually not enough. Antihistamine dose for dog are not the same as for people, unsure if you were told how much to give.
For shampoo, I get good success with the Douxo line for allergy (Douxo Calm in my part of the world). Likely won't be enough.
Some medical food help for pollen allergy as they are designed to rebuild the skin barrier.
As for prescription stuff, Apoquel work great with little if no side effects. It is not cheap however. Alternatively, if your dog allergy season is not too long, a combinaison of steroids (prednisone or dexamethasone) with antihistamine (do reduce the required dose of steroids) work well but there is much more side effects. Ideally I tried not to use steroids for too long if I can't avoid them.
For shampoo, I get good success with the Douxo line for allergy (Douxo Calm in my part of the world). Likely won't be enough.
Some medical food help for pollen allergy as they are designed to rebuild the skin barrier.
As for prescription stuff, Apoquel work great with little if no side effects. It is not cheap however. Alternatively, if your dog allergy season is not too long, a combinaison of steroids (prednisone or dexamethasone) with antihistamine (do reduce the required dose of steroids) work well but there is much more side effects. Ideally I tried not to use steroids for too long if I can't avoid them.
Tender Joe
Member
TechnicPuppet
Nothing! I said nothing!
My dog has a dust mite allergy and it's an absolute nightmare. He scratches constantly despite medication every day.
I'm in UK I'd advise before going to vet get good insurance if you don't have it because after you go it will be too late.
I'm in UK I'd advise before going to vet get good insurance if you don't have it because after you go it will be too late.
my mini schnauzer had really bad skin problems as well. plagued her all her life. We tried all sorts of things.
I was inclined to think it was a bacterial/fungal thing. Who knows though.
newdayrocks
Member
Our 9-year-old Basset hound has skin issues unlike any other dog I've ever seen, and 16mg of Apoquel twice a day clears it up entirely.
Earlier this year, we took her off Apoquel, and tried an injection that's cheaper and supposed to last much longer, but it did absolutely nothing.
So $115/month for Apoquel is a lot of money, but it makes a huge difference in her life.
Earlier this year, we took her off Apoquel, and tried an injection that's cheaper and supposed to last much longer, but it did absolutely nothing.
So $115/month for Apoquel is a lot of money, but it makes a huge difference in her life.
Try brewers yeast dog vitamins. My dog has very very sensitive skin, she develops rashes on her underside without it. After giving her a few everyday not only has the rashes stayed away, but her fur is so shiny and beautiful. Also, she sheds less.
Your results may vary obviously, but it's worked above and beyond what I expected.
Your results may vary obviously, but it's worked above and beyond what I expected.
[KoRp]Jazzman
Member
Our Lab cross (Sheppard and Collie) had bad allergies as a pup and we pretty much have it nailed down to a Chicken allergy. She was getting sores and hives all over until we switched her to Salmon.
Thankfully no more hives or sores though she still has some dry skin issues (she shows a fair amount of dandruff since she is black) but she is doing really well.
Thankfully no more hives or sores though she still has some dry skin issues (she shows a fair amount of dandruff since she is black) but she is doing really well.
Lucky Forward
Member
Is it possible you're bathing your Lab too often and exacerbating the dry skin problem?
https://www.labradortraininghq.com/labrador-health-and-care/labrador-retriever-grooming-overview/
I only take my lab to the groomer once every three months on average. He does have a natural oil to his coat which can come of on my hands when I pet him, but I keep that in check by using moist towelette bath wipes for dogs every other week or so. I don't think their cleaning effect penetrates deeply enough to bother his skin.
HawksWinStanley
Member
I have to second the Apoquel suggestion. Our shepherd was getting allergy-induced skin infections on her stomach and ears along with constantly itchy eyes.
We started her on Apoquel and haven't had an issue since. Unfortunately it's kind of pricey, we're spending over $100/mo.
We started her on Apoquel and haven't had an issue since. Unfortunately it's kind of pricey, we're spending over $100/mo.
TheCowboyPoet
Member
My basset hound has really bad allergies to chicken and grains that cause him to get very itchy with even the smallest amount of exposure. We did buy him a tshirt so if he does get itchy it'll stop him from scratching his chest into scabs. Plus he looks real cute in it!
I'd also recommend not bathing your dog too much. When he was a puppy and first got allergies we made that mistake (though the oatmeal bath did definitely help a bit) but it can dry out their skin and make matters worse (though maybe that's different if they have environmental allergies?). We did buy him a spray that we'd rub on his chest and legs that would at least temporarily help him.
It was unclear at first what he was allergic to, whether it was food/grass/etc and the vet offered us a test that could figure it out. Before we did that we switched him to a different grain/chicken food after reading that was a common cause of allergies. He was better within a few days.
I'd also recommend not bathing your dog too much. When he was a puppy and first got allergies we made that mistake (though the oatmeal bath did definitely help a bit) but it can dry out their skin and make matters worse (though maybe that's different if they have environmental allergies?). We did buy him a spray that we'd rub on his chest and legs that would at least temporarily help him.
It was unclear at first what he was allergic to, whether it was food/grass/etc and the vet offered us a test that could figure it out. Before we did that we switched him to a different grain/chicken food after reading that was a common cause of allergies. He was better within a few days.