Allergy help

[Jcstorlie]

I’m frustrated beyond belief. Penelope has been switched to a completely raw diet for 1.5 weeks now but her itching is BAD. She’s wearing a cone because of corneal scratch but as soon as I remove it she goes at her paws. Her front paws are red, swollen and have dark patches in them. Her one ear has scabs in it too. I thought allergies would get better on raw food? I do know that she has environmental allergies because she breaks out after I mow the grass along with runny eyes and nose.

I feel like I’m always on the hunt for new ways to relieve her symptoms thus why I switched to a raw diet. She does get cetrizine everyday. Besides wiping her down and cleaning her paws, I don’t know what else to do or where to turn. I’ve done EVERYTHING for her paws and nothing clears them up (natural paw soaks, clean with witch hazel, tea tree oil spray, and two different holistic salves).

I’m tired of the cone and the itching. Oh, she’s on beef raw currently but will soon change the protein to duck I’m thinking. I can choose from turkey, pork, and chicken. It seems like duck might be the best choice at this point.

She’s been into the vet countless times in the past 3 months and I’m wondering if I should try Apoquel?!? Her issues are stressing me out however, I love her so much and want desperately for her to feel relief once and for all.

 

[FroxerMom]

I am right there with you, although Daphne is not in a cone and her food allergies are under control at this point. I have her on duck frozen raw. She had interdigital furuncles in between her toes and her paws looked awful and within days of being on duck, they completely healed up. Before that I was doing nightly epsom salt soaks, tried sprays, gave her both Benedryl and Zyrtec. She was eating duck for several months before I tried another protein (it is just in her treats). Rabbit (I'm still not sure she can do that as she seemed itchier), and most recently lamb. I think she's doing ok. Daphne also has horrible environmental allergies so I have a hard time discerning between the two. I'll wonder, "Ok, is she itchy today because the lawn was mowed, or is it the lamb or is the air quality bad today, etc...???"

It drives me nuts and I too am exhausted. I want to find relief for her. Long story short, mine does very well skin wise, on duck and I can change her treats to a mix of duck and lamb. But she still scoots her butt every day for a bit and occasionally licks her paws. Her ears cleared up immediately on duck as well. If you don't think she is handling beef well, I'd try duck. That may finally give some relief.

You aren't alone! Hang in there - you're doing great by her.

 

[Cbrugs]

If she has environmental allergies, raw isn’t going to change that. Jax is allergic to everything green outside and on raw. The only thing that helps is the Cytopoint injection and I give him baths every couple of weeks with a medicated shampoo.


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[Honeys Owners]

I’m frustrated beyond belief. Penelope has been switched to a completely raw diet for 1.5 weeks now but her itching is BAD. She’s wearing a cone because of corneal scratch but as soon as I remove it she goes at her paws. Her front paws are red, swollen and have dark patches in them. Her one ear has scabs in it too. I thought allergies would get better on raw food? I do know that she has environmental allergies because she breaks out after I mow the grass along with runny eyes and nose.

I feel like I’m always on the hunt for new ways to relieve her symptoms thus why I switched to a raw diet. She does get cetrizine everyday. Besides wiping her down and cleaning her paws, I don’t know what else to do or where to turn. I’ve done EVERYTHING for her paws and nothing clears them up (natural paw soaks, clean with witch hazel, tea tree oil spray, and two different holistic salves).

I’m tired of the cone and the itching. Oh, she’s on beef raw currently but will soon change the protein to duck I’m thinking. I can choose from turkey, pork, and chicken. It seems like duck might be the best choice at this point.

She’s been into the vet countless times in the past 3 months and I’m wondering if I should try Apoquel?!? Her issues are stressing me out however, I love her so much and want desperately for her to feel relief once and for all.

I agree with you- try duck first, and either turkey or pork second. Also try fish diet if that's available to put into the rotation. A lot of bulldogs are allergic to chicken. Definitely try Cytopoint injections roughly every 4 weeks over using Apoquel or Atopica since Cytopoint is the least immunosupressive and has the least side effects.

I was going to try giving my dog bee pollen as a natural immunotherapy but still haven't gotten to the local farmers market. Immunotherapy is more of a long term treatment because it takes months to work but has the least side effects.

Try giving some coconut oil as well for the allergies, and possibly try a fish diet for a while as well, as long as she isn't allergic to it,since the omega 3 is good for the skin.

 

[Jcstorlie]

I am very thankful for the input, pointers, and encouragement.

Penelope starts on duck Saturday. I will ask our vet about Cytopoint. I know they offered me injections for Penelope so I’m hopeful Cytopoint is what they were talking about.

Yes, Penelope has a ton of environmental allergies. Acorns are everywhere on our property and she eats them every chance she gets. They probably don’t help her situation. Plus she eats grass... full of whatever causes her problems.

I don’t know why I haven’t been giving her coconut oil already. She had an ACV/peroxide foot soak, bath, ear cleaning, and after-bath-paw-treatment. She still went crazy after her paws so I had to put the dumb cone on again. Oh well, it is what it is right now.


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[Tgirl]

Apoquel worked great for Twiggy. She is now on cytopoint injections, which also work well. I switched to injections just because it's easier than giving a pill every day.

 

[Honeys Owners]

Apoquel worked great for Twiggy. She is now on cytopoint injections, which also work well. I switched to injections just because it's easier than giving a pill every day.

I would say Cytopoint has much fewer side effects if it works in your dog, so that is the one to stick with these days. The manufacturer of Apoquel reports a variety of side effects in long-term studies, including decreased white blood cells, elevated liver values, and new cutaneous masses in up to 19 percent of cases. Apoquel is contraindicated with a history of previous neoplasia. https://vetmed.illinois.edu/steroids-vs-atopica-vs-apoquel-vs-cytopoint/

 

[Jcstorlie]

I would say Cytopoint has much fewer side effects if it works in your dog, so that is the one to stick with these days. The manufacturer of Apoquel reports a variety of side effects in long-term studies, including decreased white blood cells, elevated liver values, and new cutaneous masses in up to 19 percent of cases. Apoquel is contraindicated with a history of previous neoplasia. https://vetmed.illinois.edu/steroids-vs-atopica-vs-apoquel-vs-cytopoint/

Penelope has an appointment to receive her first Cytopoint injection today. Thanks for the link. I had no idea of Apoquel side effects.


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[2bullymama]

Penelope has an appointment to receive her first Cytopoint injection today. Thanks for the link. I had no idea of Apoquel side effects.


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Cytopint is fantastic! Our Bulldog, Lambeau is one them, last year he needed one a month, this year we were able to go two months. So he got one in June and one in August. Going to see how he makes out at end of September to see if he needs another for fall

 

[Jcstorlie]

Cytopint is fantastic! Our Bulldog, Lambeau is one them, last year he needed one a month, this year we were able to go two months. So he got one in June and one in August. Going to see how he makes out at end of September to see if he needs another for fall

I agree, Cytopoint is fantastic! Two days being on it and she’s not itched or licked any part of her body. Why on earth didn’t I do this earlier for her?!?


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[2bullymama]

I agree, Cytopoint is fantastic! Two days being on it and she’s not itched or licked any part of her body. Why on earth didn’t I do this earlier for her?!?


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You know now and that is what is important! great stuff with NO side effects