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Environmental Allergies


Guest Giselle

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Guest Giselle

After my Peke suddenly lost large patches of fur on his body (see my previous thread under "Ringworm?"), we were forced to take him to a veterinary dermatologist who concluded that the missing fur was the result of a bacterial infection. But that was just a secondary by-product. The REAL cause? Enviro-allergies. Apparently, the allergies were wreaking havoc on his immune system, which allowed the naturally-occurring bacteria on his skin to flourish and "explode".

 

So now, the Peke is on antibiotics and we're dousing him twice weekly in an antimicrobial shampoo. It's working well, but I would like to prevent this in the future. I've always known that he had some type of allergy, as he often had hot spots and itchy/bloody paws throughout his life, but I decided to take a more holistic approach by switching his food. For several years, that has worked well. However, now that we know it is environmental, I'm not sure how I can prevent this. I can't prevent the flowers from blooming and dust from existing. I don't want to drug him on Benadryl every day during the spring and summer...

 

Does anybody with an enviro-allergic hound have any advice? (p.s. his dermatologist sent off a swab to the lab for testing, and we will get the in-depth results Tuesday)

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Guest greytmonty

Do a search here on GT and you will find MANY threads devoted to this, as several of us have dogs with severe environmental allergies. That is probably more efficient than recreating all those threads with new entries. Feel free to contact me as I have been through this for the last two years.

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Guest Giselle

Transfer Factor looks intriguing. You know, that reminds me, I used to have Lucky on yogurt and supplements before this skin infection. He was doing great then. You couldn't even tell he had allergies. I got lazy recently and stopped the yogurt/supplements (I will freely admit that the recession made me cut back on what I spent on the dogs). I know, shame on me. I will begin the yogurt and supplements asap again.

 

So I dug up some old threads and found a lot of talk about shots and drugs. Eek. I was hoping to bypass all that. Considering that this is the only time he's ever had a skin infection from the allergies, I don't really feel comfortable giving him a Benadryl every day. I guess I'll wait for that Tuesday call from the dermatologist and pick his brains as to how to prevent this. In the meantime, I AM buying an air filter!

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I'd be tempted to try Transfer Factor. You can get it from Bettter Herbs.

 

I've had several dogs on Tavist1 (not D) year round. Currently Mizzy gets it. I add benedryl during the flowering times.

 

Another fan of Transfer Factor here! I first used it for my weimaraner who had hemangiosarcoma. I feel it really contributed to extending her life. The specialist gave her 6 weeks to live at the time of her diagnosis. I lost her to congestive heart failure 13 months later. Twelve and a half of those months were excellent quality.

 

I've also recently given it to my greyhound, Carly, who is allergic to flea bites. One bite can set off a vicious cycle of itching, scratching, and chewing and within no time she'll be bleeding. This year she's MUCH better and I think it's the Transfer Factor.

 

Hope you find relief for them soon. Allergies are very frustrating.

Edited by galgrey

Cynthia, & Cristiano, galgo
Always in my heart: Frostman
Newdawn Frost, Keno Jet Action & Chloe (NGA racing name unknown), Irys (galgo), Hannah (weim), Cruz (galgo), & Carly CW Your Charming

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"It came to me that every time I lose a dog they take a piece of my heart with them. And every new dog who comes into my life, gifts me with a piece of their heart. If I live long enough, all the components of my heart will be dog, and I will become as generous and loving as they are." -- Unknown

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I am very interested in learning more about transfer factor for my Ig. He has discoid lupus, skin issues: pustules and itching spots and dry skin. he also licks his penis till it bleeds. He just finished 10 days of baytril for a UTI..had been on doxy long term for the lupus. I give him salmon oil, vitamin e, arthrisoothe gold (early arthritis in one front leg). switched him natural balance limited ingredients venison and sweet potato and bath in hylite shampoo. My vet recommended 5mg of zyrtec for allergies(?). I put protopic on his nose as well.

 

I really want to start a home cooked diet and will do so after my surgery..which is next week. too soon to start something new (especially since I will be in hospital a few days).

 

Has transfer factor been used in dogs with autoimmune disorders as well as allergies?

 

thanks.

 

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Guest BigPercyInMa

My Collie got weekly allergy shots when we lived in NC for enviro allergies (we had an allergy test done on her).

She's been totally fine since we've moved up to MA. No more shots, but of course she's still on flea meds. For her house/dust mite allergy, we switched from carpets to wood floors.

Good luck with your pup.

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I don't know if you give fish oil supplements, but they are supposed to be a natural anti-inflammatory. Chaos has environmental allergies (mostly in the fall, like me) and I double her fish oil dosage at those times.

 

I have also heard suggestions of wiping feet/body with a damp cloth to try and remove the clinging pollens, but haven't tried it myself.

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