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I have a pug-a-poo, which means she looks like a pug and has pug fur except that it is really extra long and goofy.
She also has awesome allergies to something in Florida which led her to have gross itchy spots all over her poor body. We moved to Illinois for two years and her allergies were COMPLETELY GONE and her skin was beautiful, but now that we are back she has loads of bald spots.
My brain decided on its own that it would be a good idea to shave her. The lack of flowing locks would help keep those pesky allergies from getting stuck in there and bothering her all day, right?
So, I shaved her. It was a pain, she didn't like it, and she ended up only half shaved because she got WAY too wiggly around her shoulders and up. She looks like a lion. So fierce.
Does anyone know if there is actually a point to going through this? I have no scientific evidence to back up my idea to shave her, it just felt like a good idea. I would be okay with never trying it again.
ALSO, any input on things that have worked for you with your allergic dog would be great. I read through a bunch of posts but they mostly pertained to food allergies and she's definitely not allergic to her food. I give her a 25mg benadryl almost every 8 hours, but I'm a bad doggy mom and forget sometimes.
If your dog has a contact allergy shaving would make it worse for the dog. If your dog has an inhaled allergy shaving won't matter one way or the other.
Having lived in Florida off and on over the years I know exactly what you are talking about. Shadow suffers miserably when she is down there. Most years I have been able to control it for her with coal tar shampoo. This past year was the worst ever. We ended up getting steroids from the vet after trying anti-histamines with no results. She had instant relief from the Prednisone.
We used to use a fabulous soap called Lytar, but they don't make it anymore. The next best thing that I tried was Medi-tar UPCO : wholesale pet supplies, dog supplies, cat, bird, puppy, kitten, horse, pet supplies, online pet products, online pet supply, frontline, advantage, advantix, pet medication, pet care, dog supplies, "pet supply", "pet supplies", "wholesale pet s (http://www.upco.com/cgi-bin/upcol.storefront/EN/product/33510 - broken link) I ran out of the Medi tar and bought some Nova Pearls Amazon.com: Nova Pearls Coal Tar Shampoo 12oz: Kitchen & Dining (http://www.amazon.com/Nova-Pearls-Coal-Shampoo-12oz/dp/B000N384J8 - broken link) and her skin started flaking off about a day after the bath.
The only benefit I can think of is if she has those itchy patches, as the least you'd be able to get directly to the itchy spots and put an ointment or anti-itch cream on without it getting gooped in the fur.
Our dogs in Florida always had horrible allergies to everything. We moved to TN and it's much better. Florida's just a horrible place for allergies and bugs and humidity. Hoping our move to Maine means we're moving away from the last of the southern reactions. LOL
if its an environmental allergy, which it sounds quite likely given other peoples experience id suggest buying a hepa filter for your home, itll help prevent exposure to the allergens Inside your home at least...
unfortunatly theres no real way to protect against environmental allergies outside the home though
unfortunatly theres no real way to protect against environmental allergies outside the home though
Yes there is. You have your vet do a complete allergy panel and then make a serum designed around the specific allergen(s). Then your dog gets shots periodically, same as people with bad allergies.
Another observation I made was that having hard surface floors made a difference over having carpet.
Yes there is. You have your vet do a complete allergy panel and then make a serum designed around the specific allergen(s). Then your dog gets shots periodically, same as people with bad allergies.
Another observation I made was that having hard surface floors made a difference over having carpet.
While we were in Florida (7 years) Gator's allergies flaired to the point that made the boy as miserable as any dog can be. Speaking to a vet specialist we consulted down in the West Palm area, the number one culprit for alleries popping up in Florida are mold spores. Hepa filters, clean bedding, being wiped down after being outside (especially feet), tile floors and medication helped to make him less miserable during our time there. There really isn't much you can do about environmental allergies except take steps to lessen the effects. Gator's allergies here in Houston are still persistant but nowhere near the level they were in Florida! Hope this helps!
I have an allergic dog that currently gets relief with a combination of prescription medications and immunotherapy injections. It sounds like you are dealing with an environmental allergy, which unfortunately can lead to a long, frustrating process for both you and the dog before you hit on the right combination of treatments. It took me about two years of trial and error and vet visits to get my dog's alleriges completely under control.
Shaving the dog will not help and may actually make things worse.
Do you use any kind of flea preventative? It could be something as simple as a flea bite allergy. If you can get rids of the bites, problem solved.
If the symptoms are mild, than OTC antihistamines are the first thing to try. Benadryl is the most popular, but doesn't always work for all dogs. If the OTC meds don't work, try some prescription versions. The one that works best for my dog is hydroxyzine. Antihistamines can work well if the symptoms are mild and the allergy appears to be seasonal and that may be all that you ever need.
If the symptoms are worse, but the attacks are seasonal or of short duration than the next step up is steroids. The long term side effects can be bad, but steroid treatment works quickly and is very effective. Not something that you want the dog to be on forever, but there is nothing better for taking care of a seasonal flare up. Straight Prednisone or a combo steroid/antihistamine like Temeril-P.
If you are dealing with a long term, chronic situation than you are looking for immuno suppressives like cyclosporine and/or allergen injections. The dog will be tested to determine the specific allergens, and a custom blend of injectable allegens will be created. The injections are designed to desensitize the dog and lessen the reaction to the actual allergen over time. Drugs like cyclosporine are used to suppress the immune system reaction.
My dog currently receives an allegen injection every other week, takes a regular dose of cyclosporine and uses hydroxyzine for flare ups. He is allergic to bermuda grass, mesquite and palm trees, so I am dealing with a year round issue in Arizona with all three of those things. The allergen injections have really been a miracle for him.
Thank you all so much for your responses. I was researching coal tar shampoos and found that they are discovered to be carcinogenic! Eep! I'm going to try to avoid that route.
I have a fancy air filter that I never use that I completely forgot about! I plugged that baby in and placed it near her bed. Thanks for that!
Though I've heard of allergy panels, I never understand the point if it isn't food related. I get it now. I didn't realize that you can get shots to target specific allergies... I've never had any and though my husband is allergic to everything under the sun, it includes doctors and shots...
Thanks again! I think that the shaving (well, clipping) actually did some good because I feel that I am able to wash her a bit better. It's much easier and she dries a lot faster. I also like that I am more able to monitor her sores. One of them was getting a little out of a control but I couldn't see it. Maybe I'll take her to a groomer next time, hah.
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