Allergies, still & again. Suggestions, please?

[TinyAlbinoDancer]

Missie started having allergy problems a year or two ago, so we first switched to LID potato and duck formula food, as well as got an antihistamine shot (I think that's what they called it...). She started the symptoms again a year later, at the same time of year, right when Fall's coming. We did another shot and she was fine. Allergies came back this year (same time again), and we went in for the shot again. It didn't work this time, and she's still scratching excessively. My allergies, and my family's, all get really bad this time of year as well, so I'm wondering if her's is environmental.

My question is, what can be done for environmental allergies? Should she be/can she be tested for specific allergies so maybe we can get rid of the cause?

In the vet when we were there to get her shot, there were two other dogs in the waiting room with allergies, and I think a phone call with the same diagnosis as well. It's crazy...

[Leto86]

Yeah.. I took my dog to the vet in september for allergies, and the vet told me she see's at least 20 dogs with allergies, everyday. So it must be pretty common.

This is a new thing for me (the allergies) so I can't be of any help, but I do hope she gets some relief!

[EscapeTurn]

if her skin is really dry and flaky because of it, you can try giving her one 1000mg fish oil capsule a day. Not only does it improve their coat but it makes the dandruff go away, so it cuts down on the itching.

my Toller has horrible allergies, and he's gotten a steroid shot a few times for it. it isn't something you should do often for obvious reasons, but once a year isn't so bad and it really helps. no more itchies. I'd ask your vet about it.

[TinyAlbinoDancer]

Her skin isn't dry, nor her coat (thank goodness). That's why I haven't looked into that supplement.

The steroid shot... Do you know the name or type? Anything more specific so I could ask about it? Thanks much.

[Kade]

My cats had skin conditions and the steroid shots really helped. The vet did tell us that it might shorten their lifespan, but my old man cat is still chilling happily at 14 years old.

I think vets can do the allergy tests to find specific causes. I hope you're able to find some relief for your dog!

[dedeeboru]

It could be. Some vets will allergy test your dog. Have you asked if yours will? If so, you can find out at least what it is. Maybe even get rid of it.
Jackie has some allergies (respiratory and skin to pollen...no diet ones) and she takes a childs benedryl twice a day during allergy season. No bad side effects and her sneezing, hacking, and itching (including chewing her feet till they were all raw) have completely stopped.

[calgal]

Some research suggests that about a third of all allergies are caused by substances in foods. You can easily identify the immediate triger by using a simplified diet for a while. If the symptoms subside but retrun when you go back to the original diet, you can assume that your pet is allergic to one or more of the ingredients in the daily diet.
Try the following diet as a test. They omit the most common food allergens: beef, wheat, milk, cheese, eggs, nuts, fruits, tomatoes, carrots, yeast and various spices and additives. When given in high doses, vitamin C acts like a natural antihistamine to control allergies. The B complex found in the pet supplements is also very useful to that end.
Dog Allergy Diet# 1
4 cups brown rice
2 pounds (4 cups) raw lamb or mutton
4 teaspoons bonemeal (or 2,200 milligrams calcium or 1 1/4 teaspoons powdered eggshell)
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
complete daily vitamin-mineral supplement formulated for dogs, made without yeast
Vitamin C in the form of sodium ascorbate powder (give 200-1,000 milligrams daily, depending on dog's size
Bring 8 cups of filtered or spring water to a boil. Add the rice, cover and simmer for 40 minutes. Meanwhile, trim any excess fat off the lamb or mutton; chop or grind the meat. When the rice is done (indicated by tender, firm grains), thoroughly mix all ingredients except the daily supplement and the vitamin C. Add these at the time of feeding.