Comments | heaterz0r: At least I know how he feels

heaterz0r

At least I know how he feels

Feb 16, 2010 18:51

Oh Mr. Dog.

In the 5 years we've had him, Jet has had a good deal of skin problems. He stays on benadryl daily for 4 months out of the year for grass allergies. When we got him, the shelter told us that after he came in all his hair fell out due to some kind of allergic reaction. The underside of his neck used to break out from his old leather ( Read more... )

Comments 12

jigglykat February 17 2010, 00:23:21 UTC

I can't be much help, but I can relate. Poor Gidget had grass allergies, too, and had to take steroids. On top of that, schnauzers are prone to having skin problems as well, so she'd just be itchy all the time whenever she went outside.

heaterz0r February 17 2010, 01:58:35 UTC

Yeah pits can have bad skin problems too. The vet tried steroids, but they upset his tummy. After 3 days of diarrhea, I said thanks but no thanks. It's so sad too. His favorite thing is to sun himself in the grass. :(

doodykrista February 17 2010, 00:41:47 UTC

Poor Jet :(
Can you take the collar off at night when you guys are all sleeping? That'll give him like 8 hours for his neck to breathe. Or maybe you can line the inside of the collar with something... like lambs wool?

heaterz0r February 17 2010, 01:57:00 UTC

Jet has reached the age where he and Papu don't really play in the house anymore. They will when something exciting is going on or we're all up and in a play kind of mood, but usually they sleep most of the day. When this latest flair up happened, he was wearing his collar less than 24 hours. I put it on him to take those snow pictures. We were all out in the front yard, no leashes. I put it on him in case he saw a cat and took off.

I do want to line it with something, that's a good idea!

felonytexas February 17 2010, 02:09:06 UTC

First, what are you feeding him? And why not keep him on benadryl all the time? Why stop the regiment? Most dogs who have allergies have multiple allergies.

A big issue with skin problems is actually diet, what you feed a dog has a huge impact on their immune and skin health.

heaterz0r February 17 2010, 02:23:57 UTC

He gets California Natural Lamb & Rice. He used to get Canidae before they switched their formula. Trust me... no Purina or Iams here. I tried the CN's herring & sweet potato but it gave both the dogs "house clearing" gas.

I only give him the benadryl when he needs it. A friend with a pit with the same problems suggested Zyrtec as well. I don't see the point in giving it to him year round when he only needs it when the grass in pollinating. Plus it makes him sleepy.

felonytexas February 17 2010, 02:36:08 UTC

The gas is natural for the first couple of weeks on a high protien/grain free diet. I Recommend something like taste of the wild, it's expensive but it's lower fat than some of them and the gas isn't quite as brutal. But again it will be a couple of weeks of gas before their stomachs adjust. Also Dick Van Patten's/Natural Balance's Limited Ingredient Diet (duck and sweet potato) is the highest carb, lowest protien of all grain free formulas. Which will again reduce the gas emissions a considerable amount ( ... )

heaterz0r February 17 2010, 02:46:35 UTC

We tried the fish & sweet potato for a few months. One bag lasts me six weeks and I bought several. The gas didn't stop until I switched back to lamb & rice. I tried Innova at one point too, but it was too expensive and too rich for them.

The only allergy he has when grass isn't a problem is the collar issue. When he got the benadryl it was 3 a day. He weighs close to 75 lbs. One a day didn't seem to cut it, which is why my friend suggested Zyrtec.

I use canola oil in their food and it seems to help too. What's the raw egg for? And the yogurt? Thanks for the vitamin suggestions too. I'll pick some up :)

Thread 6

doodykrista February 17 2010, 04:12:50 UTC

Speaking of adding supplements, you knew about Penny's scabs... well I switched her to Whitefish and Sweet Potato (Wellness) and her and Faulks (because Faulks has terrible allergies) get a couple of squirts of Grizzly Salmon Oil all her scabs are gone now! You might want to add salmon oil to Jet's food and see if that helps his skin.

heaterz0r February 19 2010, 02:13:51 UTC

Thanks! I use canola oil most of the time. Where do you get the salmon oil? I may be able to get if from Smartpak when I get Finn's supplements.

I looked into Wellness years ago when I found out how bad grocery store dog food was. It's so expensive. :( The CN is pretty awesome the for price, which is why I've stayed with it for so long.