Author Topic: Allergy diagnosis/  (Read 1686 times)

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Offline rubyduby

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Allergy diagnosis/
« on: January 14, 2020, 12:59:58 PM »
I have a 1yr old girl who sufered thro summer tiching, flea issues, itching, ...no fleas still itching, now wondering if allergy, has anyone been thro this and had any relevant tests to isolate the problem, everyone tells me there are no tests to decided if and what the allergy is, she has a number of random spots on her legs and body which look like heat lumps, but now noticed a scab on her shoulder, large and flat, at first i assumed she had grazed it as she charges around like an idiot and just cleaned and left it, but the scab is greasey and seems to split with some red cracs, wondering now if this could be some form of skin issue ie impetigo etc....???help

Offline phoenix

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Re: Allergy diagnosis/
« Reply #1 on: January 18, 2020, 09:31:05 PM »
A huge subject, best checked by the vet, especially if there is a sore patch cracking, which could be infected.
One harmless help is to shampoo with original Head and  Shoulders. It contains anti fugal and antibiotics agents, similar to the vets’ favourite, Malaseb.
RIP Marti  the EPI springer age 12,  and beloved black cocker Bobby, 8 yrs old, too soon, from PLN.
Now owned by TInker, tiny hairy grey poodle/terrier rescue from Greece and Jack, local rescue,   scruffy ginger terrier mutt.

Offline Archie bean

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Re: Allergy diagnosis/
« Reply #2 on: January 19, 2020, 04:59:52 PM »
Definitely get the sore checked by a vet. It may or may not be allergy related. Once you know you can work out the next course of action.
Archie has massive allergy issues and has been tested. No idea why people are telling you it’s not possible. It is. It was the best thing I did as I now know what to avoid with him. There are lots of foods he can’t eat but he’s also affected by grasses which I can’t do a lot about. When it flares up in the summer he licks and chews at his skin, pulling the fur out causing luck granulomas which easily get infected. It’s a pain but usually easily and quickly dealt with. Last summer though we spent months with a sore on his foot that would not heal. Eventually the vet (who was sure it wouldn’t reveal anything) decided to send a swab for testing, only to discover a really nasty pseudomonas infection. Luckily a (long) course of antibiotics fixed it but I do wish we had sent a swab earlier as the whole summer was a nightmare of no swimming, cone wearing and endless steroids.

Offline rubyduby

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Re: Allergy diagnosis/
« Reply #3 on: February 15, 2020, 11:01:11 AM »
I got a referral to a Dermatology vet...what a waste of money , she wouldn't entertain any of the 'tests' saying they weren't conclusive, but I have to say they had to be more use than her, she palmed me off with wormer and mange treatment, shampoo AND rub on foam, ear drop AND cleaner, I came away with an itching dog and a bill for £500 , oh she did say try an elimination diet insisting on using only Hills or Canin kibble, despite the fact I told her she had already been on a fish hypo allergenic diet for 6 weeks. My dog wont touch the rubbish she suggested and has gone off what she would eat in the fish (natures diet). Its a complete mess and I haven't a clue where to go...she is off her food tho seems well, (I think there might bee a bit of  phantom preg going on) but obviously the elim diet isn't working, but the vet seems unable or incapable of istening and is trudging on with the format I have read on Internet, so could have saved myself £500, the Apoquel..yes that too, I wont use unless she gets really bad. I have seen the skin prick test and concerned about that aswatching a video on Internet the dg looked awake....I am stumped she is eating whatever she will have, so no elimination diet . The vet did do a skin scrape which was cear, I had already done the microscope bit so could have told her that!!! I had expected someone who had knowledge not be fobbed off yet again. So much for specialists....

Offline bizzylizzy

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Re: Allergy diagnosis/
« Reply #4 on: February 15, 2020, 01:47:06 PM »
Don’t know if you saw  the post the other day about mites in kibble that can cause allergies? Freezing the food beforehand kills them off apparently - I realize allergies can have a thousand causes but this did help someone I know and when you‘re as desperate as you sound, its maybe worth considering. Best of luck.

Offline phoenix

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Re: Allergy diagnosis/
« Reply #5 on: February 16, 2020, 12:04:11 AM »
No wonder you are fuming!
Kibble mites are a possibility . 
After years of using trendy new foods,including raw, I now use Butchers  tins. You can have grain free option,  ones with veg added, or with green tripe added.  My son converted me, he has the glossiest slimmest dog with clean teeth. One of my rescues was a fussy eater, preferring to eat food that was scattered on the floor.  She’s dances in circles for now  for the tins.
If you get raw sores, you should ideally  get an antibacterial cream from the vet.Have they tried a short course of steroids  for inflammation?  I had a springer with autoimmune problems,  she had red spots that blistered and went raw as I watched.  They joined up into a huge patch. Eventually it cleared up, and the hair regrew.  By then I was feeding her Chappie, then Eden or  MilliesWolfheart, both online.
It’s  not fair to have  to keep on antihistamines.
RIP Marti  the EPI springer age 12,  and beloved black cocker Bobby, 8 yrs old, too soon, from PLN.
Now owned by TInker, tiny hairy grey poodle/terrier rescue from Greece and Jack, local rescue,   scruffy ginger terrier mutt.

Offline Barry H

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Re: Allergy diagnosis/
« Reply #6 on: February 16, 2020, 09:29:10 AM »
Ruby, you have my heartfelt sympathies.  500 smackeroonies and no improvement?  I'd be incandescent!  Come the revolution, all vets and plumbers will be lined up against a wall...  If it's any consolation I paid the same to call a plumber out on a Sunday morning.  I'm still crying myself to sleep...

Interesting comments about feeding above.  I've tried Jack on all the 'best' kibble (Eden, Millies, Acana etc) and all of them have made him itch/scratch (Millies was the worst).  It's baffling.  He's now back on Eukanuba and the itching has gone.  I know every dog is different and don't want to hijack the thread, but if anyone has any ideas I'd love to hear them.

Offline rubyduby

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Re: Allergy diagnosis/
« Reply #7 on: February 19, 2020, 07:12:46 PM »
My dogs issues are nothing to do with Kibble as she wont eat it, and I don't want to use it..its rubbish just easy for people. the dog is currently having a phantom pregnancy and wont eat much so she is getting what she eats and still scratches especially at night....no further on than I was 7 months ago when this got worse so.....No idea what the vet will suggest as everything just isn't happening....still she got £500 out of me...well done luv!

Offline Darwin

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Re: Allergy diagnosis/
« Reply #8 on: February 25, 2020, 05:21:59 PM »
Sorry but why are you surprised at the costs ?

The costs sound about right if you compare them to second option private health care costs. 
Didn’t you check how much they charge for the initial consult and tests when making the appointment?
Also based on your previous costs I’m really surprised that you didn’t choose to see a homeopathic vet as you have  been reluctant to treat the persistent flea problems you’ve had with “chemicals”