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my pup has horrible allergies - seeking suggestions — Brooklynian

my pup has horrible allergies - seeking suggestions

lnelson
lnelson
edited November -1 in Brooklyn Pets
my little 9 month old havanese has allergies beyond the point where i feel it's ok to let him just deal with it. at my vet's direction, i'm shampooing him weekly with oatmeal-based epi-soothe during the dusty, leafy season (now) and he's not scratching as much and seems more comfortable in that sense, but he has these attacks lasting about 10-30 seconds (estimated) where it sounds like he can barely breathe and his little chest heaves, and afterwards he's tired. i can't stand it! he also sneezes and "reverse sneezes," but i've known other dogs with allergies that do that all the time so it doesn't worry me.
at the vet's direction, i gave him 1/2 benodryl, but it upset his stomach AND didn't help. i want to go to back to the vet with some ideas, or at least some education. i really like my vet (5th ave. vet clinic) but would go elsewhere if there was a compelling reason. does anyone have any thoughts, insights, suggestions, etc.? i can't stand seeing my pup in such distress!

Comments

  • lilbangladesh
    lilbangladesh
    I would check to see if he has asthma. My cat had the same problem and he was on prednisone for a while, which helped, but I eventually had to wean him off it because of the side effects (weight gain, hyperactivity, etc.) though cats do tolerate it better than humans (don't know about dogs, though. Also, it might help to figure out what he might be sensitive to. My cat is actually chemically sensitive so I can't live anywhere with new carpeting because new carpets outgas formaldehyde. Also, certain fragrances would set him off. (No perfume for you!)

    Another drug I found helpful is periactin. He's actually taking it as an appetite stimulant, but because it's actually an antihistimine, it has had the great side effect of controlling his asthma. He's hardly had any attacks since he's been on this medication.
  • lnelson
    lnelson
    it sounds a little like asthma! he does wheeze. it's awful.

    hmm, well...so to amend my original post, i'd also appreciate any thoughts anyone else might have about dog asthma. jeepers...allergies, asthma...what's next? will he need glasses? a retainer? an SAT tutor? well, i guess i'm in the right neighborhood if i need specialty vet treatment, anyway. he's too cute and wonderful to be in distress.
  • sweet tea
    sweet tea
    sorry i don't have details for you, but i do know of people (friends of friends) who've had very good luck with homeopathic allergy control for their dog.

    you might see what you can find out about that as an alternative to daily prescription meds. (not that prescription meds might not be appropriate in some cases, blah, blah, blah, don't flame me kthx.)
  • am
    am
    well as a human with crazy allergies (i bring this word to a whole new level) try taking a step back. instead of treating - aim to prevent. animals tend to sense things to a heightened level (sound, for example) so it's quite possible that you have an allergen in your home that is causing you harm but you just don't realize it because you aren't super sensitive. take a good look around - do you possibly have mold growing inside a wet wall, bad air quality because of something, bed bugs, etc etc. Try a hepa air filter and/or a hepa vacuum, watch the perfumes and powders, etc. I know this is often hard to do but it may be the only solution. =/
  • lilbangladesh
    lilbangladesh
    If I didn't have to medicate my cat, I wouldn't. Prednisone, because it's a steroid, is something I would only use on a temporary basis.

    My cat has to take periactin to stimulate his appetite because he has kidney disease. It just happens to have a very positive side effect of controlling his asthma.

    With animals, I think the real bugaboo is probably chemical sensitivities. I would be extremely sparing with any scented product and very careful as to which cleaning products you use. (I've had few problems with Oxyclean products, so that might be a way to go.)

    One time I took a scented bubble bath. Penny was being a pain in the ass coming into the bathroom and meowing for my attention. Since I don't speak cat, I don't know what he's trying to get my attention for. Anyway, he comes and meows at me, and all of a sudden, he loses his voice! His mouth is going up and down, but nothing is coming out! I felt so bad!!! (Though a bit relieved because all that meowing was getting to me. :P ) Fortunately, his laryngitis was temporary and resolved itself shortly after the bathwater was drained.
  • pitu
    pitu
    If you're not getting what you need from your current vet (even though you like them) you might want to consult someone else. I want to get medical/asthma/allergy advice from someone with vet training who actually sees my pet!

    My vet is in Carroll Gardens, Dr Julie Morris at Animal Healing Arts. She does the alternative cures/preventatives when she sees fit, as well as traditional western vet practice.
    Lots of people on the board love Hope Vet as well - you can do a search and read more info . . .
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