Dexter's itchy chest - hay fever?

[WeeDex]

Hi everyone,

I mentioned on another thread that Dexter has developed an allergy unfortunately, so he's currently on a new diet and piriton from the vet.

It has been unseasonably warm here, so yesterday I was out cutting the grass, and of course once I was done Dexter was zooming about like crazy having a great time! When I got him up this morning and checked his chest, it was so much worse than it has been. Like it had spread right down one leg and across his full chest area. I've attached a pic so you can see what it looks like, but it isn't coming out too well. It looks much worse in reality.

So I'm now wondering if he perhaps has a grass / pollen allergy. It could be a coincidence of course, but I've blocked off our grass for the moment and have now started wiping him down every time he goes out.

Does anyone think this looks like it could be from the grass / something outside? It flared up so fast and he's been miserable today. Such a shame. He is due back at the vet in a couple of weeks but I'll need to keep a real eye on him and if it gets much worse I'll go back sooner.

Thanks everyone

 

[Cbrugs]

Could definitely be from the grass as it happened after he was outside in it. Jax is allergic to grass, trees, shrubs, weeds...everything green. I always joke that he needs to live in a bubble and be my Bubble Boy. Have you tried Benadryl?

 

[blushy]

I'd bathe him and try Benedryl.

Poor pup!

 

[Jakeyjake]

Poor baby. I agree with [MENTION=894]blushy[/MENTION] to give him a bath and try benadryl.

 

[WeeDex]

Thanks everyone. He's on piriton, but I could switch over to Benadryl and maybe that would help him more.

Poor Jax - must be so hard when all these things bother him. Dexter isn't happy he's banned from the grass but it's definitely worth a shot to see if it helps.

 

[Chiana]

awww...poor Dexter I agree, could be grass. Many here has found help from Benadryl.

Moses gets blisters in his paws when running in the grass. Washing right after helps a lot.
We use Malaseb shampoo and apply Isaderm Vet gel on the spots.

 

[Squishy Walnuts]

Aw, poor Dexter! I hope you're able to clear up the rash with a bath and allergy meds.

 

[2bullymama]

Looks similar to what Banks used to get.... she was allergic to almost everything green -- I used benedyl and wiped her after each outing with a cool cloth, face, paws and belly

 

[WeeDex]

It was crazy how much worse it looked today from the picture I posted yesterday. He just wouldn't stop scratching for anything this morning. So I've got him in a kids t-shirt and it has stopped him hurting himself at least.

I did learn today that Benadryl in the US is entirely different to the UK by speaking with a pharmacist, but I have been able to up his dose of piriton and I think its helped the redness in his face quite a bit. I'll get a good look at his skin when I take his t-shirt off later.

I'm wiping him down now too each time he comes in, and he's on a grass ban for the time being! I'll give him an oat bath at the weekend too.

Thankfully, the Himalayan chew I ordered for him arrived today so that has distracted him from the clothes wearing and no grass zooming! £12 / $18 for a medium one here - yikes! Glad he likes it!

 

[Cbrugs]

Hopefully he will feel better soon! I give Jax a bath every weekend with a medicated shampoo (I have 4 different ones) and I have a couple different sprays as well cause sometimes he will scratch up his pits and constantly lick/chew his paws. You need to just try different things and find a routine that works. Good luck!