Dog Dermatologist (Austin, West, Cushing: dermatologists, school, allergies)

[sa_rushfan]

Quick question - anyone on the forum have any experience with a Dog Dermatologist?

One of our dogs have had allergies extremely bad her entire life and we've been able to manage with meds for the most part...but she's had a recent episode that really got her good and the vet is now recommending a dermatologist.

I'm looking for any experience, recommendations, potential costing if anyone is familiar with those types of vets...

Thanks!

[CSD610]

Benadryl and gold bond medicated powder or cream. Works great, doesn't kill the dog.

[NWTX1293]

The vet I used to take my dog to told me that she didn't know what else to do for us and that I needed to see a dog dermatologist and she referred me to South Texas Veterinary Specialists (which apparently you can only be referred to them by a Vet FYI) but they couldn't see us for a month and I just couldn't wait that long for my dog to be seen so I started calling other vet offices to see if they could help us with skin issues and I was able to get in at one the very next day. The new vet has helped us tremendously. So maybe you don't necessarily need a dermatologist and just need to try out a different vet. Also the dermatologist will be so much more expensive. You can DM me if you'd like my vets information.

[majormadmax]

We had a Westie that had bad allergies and lost a lot of fur. After spending beau-coup bucks at some specialist up in Austin, we ended up going to VCA Oak Hills Animal Hospital at 6614 Southpoint Street (410 and Babcock).

This was a while back, but the vet (can't remember his name) did an excellent job and we were very impressed with the care our dog got. The vet at Oak Hills was able to bring him a lot of relief.

Oddly enough, that same dog never had a problem while we were in Belgium (despite the fact that allergies were pretty prevalent there as well), and unfortunately he passed away less than a year after we moved back to SA from an unrelated illness.

Give them a call at (210) 342-9518 and good luck, it took a lot of work to get our poor pup healthy again.

By the way, we have since gotten two more Westies who were born in Texas, and neither has had the problem. The dog we had with the allergies was from a breeder in Pennsylvania.

Cheers! M2

[Dwangle]

The old school remedy was crude oil. Just fill a bucket by the well and smear some on the infected area.

[katyb]

Originally Posted by majormadmax

We had a Westie that had bad allergies and lost a lot of fur. After spending beau-coup bucks at some specialist up in Austin, we ended up going to VCA Oak Hills Animal Hospital at 6614 Southpoint Street (410 and Babcock).

This was a while back, but the vet (can't remember his name) did an excellent job and we were very impressed with the care our dog got. The vet at Oak Hills was able to bring him a lot of relief.

Oddly enough, that same dog never had a problem while we were in Belgium (despite the fact that allergies were pretty prevalent there as well), and unfortunately he passed away less than a year after we moved back to SA from an unrelated illness.

Give them a call at (210) 342-9518 and good luck, it took a lot of work to get our poor pup healthy again.

By the way, we have since gotten two more Westies who were born in Texas, and neither has had the problem. The dog we had with the allergies was from a breeder in Pennsylvania.

Cheers! M2

I know I'm terribly late, but how did the vet treat the allergies? I've got a Westie with, of course, tons of allergies. She's currently being treated with meds, and I'm not seeing any positive results. I don't want to go to another vet that'll just give her yet another antihistamine without getting to the source.

[NWTX1293]

Originally Posted by katyb

I know I'm terribly late, but how did the vet treat the allergies? I've got a Westie with, of course, tons of allergies. She's currently being treated with meds, and I'm not seeing any positive results. I don't want to go to another vet that'll just give her yet another antihistamine without getting to the source.

Prednisone really helps with the itching. If you feel comfortable giving it to your dog that is.
My dog has to be on it due to an auto-immune disorder and it really really helped her. Also squeezing a capsule of fish oil on their food once a day. Everyone who hasn't seen my dog in a few months says her coat looks really shiny and fluffy. It takes a few months to see results but it works!

[L210]

Does anyone have any additional information on veterinary dermatologists or a vet who can handle serious skin allergies? My vet is always highly recommended, but he sucks and has cost me a lot of money. He told me a few months ago that there is testing for allergies, but that would cost around $300. Then, he proceeded to give me another temporary treatment. Well, guess what? Getting temporary treatments from him has cost me more than $300. He's given her two different kinds of shots 3 or 4 times at about $30 each plus the $40 fee for each visit. He gave me this spray that didn't last long and that cost $30. The Temaril, which I believe has prednisone in it, worked for a few months and then my dog started having major breakouts again. I wouldn't want to keep her on it forever though because the maker warns that long-term use can lead to Cushing's disease. I've also read that long-term steroid use can lead to diabetes.

I've tried a lot of things: oatmeal baths, apple cider vinegar, supplements to boost the immune system, omega3 supplements, aloe vera, some kind of anti-fungal shampoo and conditioner, diphenhydramine for dogs (Benadryl), washing bedding without detergent, and removing chicken and beef from her diet. If I have to, I will find another vet who will give me a referral to a dermatologist unless someone knows of one that doesn't require a referral.

[cwcavazos]

I had to give up on vets for my dogs allergy issues. Alot of the meds are administered by weight and at 130lbs, it was outrageous! I give both of my dogs a tablespoon or a little more of organic coconut oil. My logs love it! They no longer itch, have yeast in their ears, have build up in their eyes when they wake up, and no more chin acne They have it at HEB or you can order it online cheaper. Just make sure it's organic and not processed. It took about 2 weeks for all of these problems to dissapear. When I kennel my dogs for a couple of days, and they don't get coconut oil the problems begin to come back.
My vet also recommended "their food." I told them I would just stick with mine. The first indegredient was corn. I told him that I would never feed my dog a food with corn in it!! Before I started coconut oil, I read The Whole Pet Diet and it really helped, but with my dogs size, I am not able to cook for them. Good luck!!!! Trial and error is very expensive at the vet...

[L210]

Thanks for the suggestion. I've been feeding her grain-free food for the past couple of months and just switched to the duck and lamb formula a few weeks ago. I guess it wouldn't hurt to try the organic coconut oil that's in my pantry until I can get her tested. Her allergies might be seasonal because she was completely fine the last half of summer.