seasonal allergies

any_name_will_suffice

Last summer the council only cut the grass in public spaces about four times, and so they were quite over grown and meadow- like. On the day they cut the field at the back of the house, I had left Rocky in the kitchen with the window open a crack. That evening he started sneezing, rubbing his face, shaking his ear and scratching. My neighbour, who has never had hayfever before, also had a bad reaction, as well as the usual hayfever symptoms she went all blotchy so I am guessing it was bad for allergens. About a week later Rocky ended up with a localised skin infection which was treated with steroid tablets and cream.

I mentioned at the time to the vet I was worried it was allergy related and he was quite dismissive about it.

A couple of weeks ago, I cut the grass and the next day Rocky started shaking his head and ears- he now has an ear infection and has some drops for that. We saw a different vet at the practice and she said she suspected it had started off with an allergic reaction irritation or similar and I mentioned I was worried he has doggy- hayfever or similar.

He actually went with another skin infection over the summer two years ago, but I can't remember how that one started.

She has advised we can try giving piriton for a couple of days when we cut the lawn to see if it helps, although it is only effective in about 20% of dogs apparently.

Does any one else have a dog with a seasonal allergy, and if so, how do you cope with it? It is not like I can keep him inside from
march to september

elsien

Piriton is worth a try and I know people who give it to dogs regularly so if it works maybe check with the vet re longer term use. You could try sticking to pavement walking if grass has been cut. I've come across allergies in bull terriers where it causes skin irritation on the feet and people deal with that by washing the feet as soon as they come in. If it's really bad they use diluted hibiscus. If it's a more generalised thing, I've heard wiping down the whole coat with a micro fibre cloth as soon as you come in from outside can help as well.
(There was a long post about it on Facebook but I've lost the page. I'll come back if I find it. )

edit - that's hibiscrub not hibiscus. Damn autocorrect.

rising_from_the_ashes

Sadly yes

Ben used to get the most horrific rash on his tummy for about 3 months mid summer / autumn - it was really awful, bright red & really looked like someone had poured boiling water on him as it was really like a burn

It must've been so sore

This stuff helped quite a bit http://www.aromesse.com/skin-problem/petnat-itchy-skin-relief-dermacton-cream-spray-shampoo-dog-canine.html

I used to shampoo him weekly when it was really bad & used the cream daily (ETA - if you dry off the shampoo bar & re-wrap, it lasts for ages!)

I never found out what it was .....



Maisie - well, she's started itching too I've tried anti-histamines but they don't appear to have any effect so will be trying a bath on her later on

With her, it's mainly her legs / paws (she's constantly chewing them:() so I've started washing these in cool water with a tiny drop of hibiscrub in after her walks morning & evening - it does seem to help for a little while, but I can't do it everytime she goes outside in the garden

Coconut oil is apparently good and I know a lot of people use it so I've just started with adding a teaspoon to her dinner at night (build it up slowly if you give it a try as it can upset their tum if you give them too much to start with)

This is the type of stuff you want http://www.healthysupplies.co.uk/biona-coconut-oil-200g.html?gclid=CLHAiY206b0CFYrjwgodnrIAkg

It's really high in fat BUT apparently it's the good type & can help with weight loss! (Maisie did have it last year & managed to lose nearly 4kg while she was having it so it certainly doesn't mean they will put on weight)


I'm reluctant to go down the steroid route for her yet - but I guess we'll have to see if I can get a handle on her itching as it can't be nice

Good luck

elsien

Also the obvious stuff like vacuuming and washing the dog bedding more regularly. (I'm presuming you're a normal person like me, not an already OTT clean 3 times a day person!)

any_name_will_suffice

Ooh, thankyou for the suggestions.

I am not a big fan of steroids, but last year the sore bits on his flank ended up green/ yellow and wet, he had chewed and scratched until they were rather infected and a short course of steroids cleared that up within a couple of weeks.

I did try the piriton when I cut the grass this week, but it's hard to know what effect it had- I am going to persevere with it (not every day but when we cut the grass or when he has allergy symptoms)- it is a lot more MSE than the £100 or so I have paid over the last couple of summers on vet bills- £55 this week to get his ears sorted! Plus, hopefully preventing it will be a lot less traumatic for him than treating it afterwards...

any_name_will_suffice

elsien wrote: »

Also the obvious stuff like vacuuming and washing the dog bedding more regularly. (I'm presuming you're a normal person like me, not an already OTT clean 3 times a day person!)

Maybe 3 times a week here.... (vacuuming, not washing the dog bedding. The throws on the settee are washed twice a week and I can't remember the last time I washed his bedding :eek:)

elsien

I do Gitdog's bedding weekly now. Apart from him being a whiffy dog, if they're rolling in grass they're bringing the allergens in with them, and you're also carrying them in on shoes. I'm normally a hoover once a week slob, but at the moment I'm doing it daily to get rid of fleas and I have to say it's killing me. I loathe hoovering with a vengeance. When I win the lottery I'm getting a proper floor instead of carpets. And a cleaner.

any_name_will_suffice

I really like the idea of a cleaner.... We do have hard flooring but downstairs (where Rocky spends most of his day) is covered in rugs we had to put down after he had his cruciate repairs. He sheds hair like it's going out of fashion so I have to vacuum regularly to stop us walking around on three inches of hair!

peachyprice

It would probably be a good idea to start the piriton a day or two before you plan to cut the grass and carry on for a day or two after so that she has a good build up of anti-histamines in her system before the allergens attack.

I also give coconut flakes as a treat when my dog's skin is bad, he loves it and it does seem to calm things down. My dog is allergic to cat fleas, with 5 cats the odd bite is unavoidable, but the piriton does sort him out, but the sooner he takes it the better.

Katiehound

Don't forget there is a Boots antihistamine- same drug as Piriton called "Allergy Relief Antihistamine " tablets (Chlorphenamine Maleate).....well I have just looked at Boots website and it's not there! (I have a packet in my hand)
However what about on here- allergy remedies on offer too?
Looks like they have their own brand @£1 (there are p&p charges)
http://www.chemistdirect.co.uk/healthcare/allergies/cat-876

Another thought. I realise it isn't causing the problem but what are you washing the bedding with? Non or Bio wash? That might aggravate the problem........

My girl gets a red rash on her tum- no hair there. I actually think it is aggravated by long grass- one tablet (as above) per day seems to keep it at bay and some sudocrem to stop the itching.

oh and for ears- my hound is inclined to get mites- I use Otodex ear drops (around £3) which I get from VetMedic but I am sure there are widely available.I find them excellent. I keep a couple of bottles in....ready. Box says "for the treatment of ear irritation and otitus externa caused or complicated by infection in dogs and cats"

hidden_sacrifice

My mums dog is the same, she gives her piriton but only half a tablet. She does it every day while it's hay fever season as it doesn't work on just one dose.