I had to give my poor baby dog Benadryl.

[Shell Beau]

He has the worst skin allergies. We can only feed him salmon based food. But his allergies are acting up and his ear looks raw! Poor thing! He should sleep well at least.

[barb162]

1. did your vet ever try steroid shots?

They gave my pet (also skin allergies )relief for a few weeks. I hope the benadryl works.

[Shell Beau]

4. I feel like I could be a vet with all the times I have taken him there.

Yep, he has done those shots. And I have a pharmacy of medicine for him, but Benadryl seems to work best!

[barb162]

38. That's good; I am glad you found something that's fairly cheap

and you don't have to take him in for one office visit after another

[GenDem]

2. My dog has had a terrible time, too.

She's been on prednisone three times since August. We use the spray on benedryl. I hate when they are suffering, and when mine has the "scratchers" (that's what we call it, and she understands that word) it is heart breaking.

I'm blaming it on the weird weather.

[flvegan]

3. Here:

http://www.naturesrecipe.com/DogProductDisplay.aspx?p=Dogs/Skin_dryVegetarian

Trust me. I've got 100 dogs worth of experience on this one, JUST on skin allergies.

PetSmart, PetCo...they all carry it.

Don't balk at the "vegetarian" moniker. Remember, the meat in dog food is NOTHING like what you buy at the grocery. Prime rib is not the squeegeed slaughterhouse remnants of brain matter.

[Shell Beau]

5. I'll try it next! Thanks!

But, is it anything like Nutro? Because that I have tried!

[flvegan]

8. No.

Nutro makes a quality product. I would never suggest otherwise. However, dogs with certain food allergies have them for many of the same reasons people do. Problem is, these allergies or intolerances are exacerbated by the quality of the food that's put in the mix. The veg formula takes the "meat" quality out of the mix.

This works for our rescues in a great way. We could go Wysong (VERY expensive) or wow-bow (shipping). All are quality products.

I'll bet, if you fed your dog a steady diet of quality meat, fish, eggs, etc. that you'd not have these problems. You'd be broke, but still. It's quality. The bones and brains that get put in today's dog food aren't anything close to what they need. Hence, well, you could look up the longevity of a dog on a diet of IAMs or Purina. Had I a Ferrari, I'd not put crap-ass gas in it. Had I a child, I'd not put crap-ass food in him/her. I have dogs...I won't put crap-ass food in them, either.

[Shell Beau]

11. I agree! My husband asked why we couldn't just buy Alpo!

I had to laugh! I told him it was cheap for a reason. I will definitely try what you say. I have seen it in PetsMart. I don't mind spending money on their food. Can you suggest some good treats for him also?

[LeftyMom]

16. If you want some homemade treat recipes, let me know

I've had to work up a few for his dogs and they seem to like all of them.

[Shell Beau]

18. Thanks! I would appreciate that!

[flvegan]

20. I second the homemade treats.

I make them from time to time, and LeftyMom indulges my pups as well.

It can be elaborate, or as simple as baking pita chips with a little garlic.

[LeftyMom]

22. I'll have to write it all down, I usually do it by eye.

The one I did last time is mostly peanutbutter (the natural kind that's just peanuts and nothing else) and oats. I do another that's nutritional yeast and garlic, but it's flour based so you might want to skip that until the symptoms are under control so you can see if that's problematic.

With a kid I'd advise an elimination diet to see what the problem is. With a dog? Try the allergy food first, if that doesn't work see if you can clear it up on a homemade diet and then add things back in until you see what the triggers are. I'm assuming it's food and not environmental, most allergies of that severity are.

[MadMaddie]

6. How long have you been feeding him Salmon?

My vet told me that sometimes dogs can build up allergies when they have been on a particular protein for too long.

My Max Pit/Lab/Sharpee mix...has really bad allergies but he hasn't a flair up in ages. Usually skin and ears. His ears usually gunk up, real smelly.

We use a natural oatmal wash for his baths.

We are feeding our dogs Trout/Sweet Potato dog food(This has helped a lot)

Also, our Vet presribed the following for his ears:

1. Antibiotic-Ketoconazole 200mg tablets (You have to get these antibiotics from a regular pharmacy(human). Your vet can write the prescription.

2. Conofite Lotion 30 ml (Ear Drops)

Good luck and I hope your baby feels better.

[Shell Beau]

7. He has been on it for about 4 months!

He is scratching his ears so bad that I see blood where he scratched it raw. I worry about him shaking his head so much because of the itching. It is bad for a dog to do that. I will probably take him back to the vet tomorrow. His allergies bother him most in his ears and feet!

[MadMaddie]

13. Do you feed him treats with flour? Sometimes the goodies

we give them contribute to the allergies.

We only give Max a peanutbutter based treats. When we stopped giving him the flour based cookies his symptoms also decreased.

He gets kibbles (his dog food) as treats. It was hard in the beginning but it has worked out pretty well.

[Shell Beau]

14. Well, my dog is such a glutton that he would be happy with

dog food as a treat!

[MadMaddie]

17. he..he..

Also, do you feed him any table food? We found that is another big no no..in essence it's a lifestyle change for the dog.

[Shell Beau]

19. Yeah, I have been guilty of that. But

I try to keep it to just meat. Grilled meat at that!

[MadMaddie]

21. Intresting ,the grilled meat that you give him is it beef, chicken?

Because even though you are feeding him Salmon kibble...the beef and the chicken protein may not be agreeing with him.

[Shell Beau]

26. Yeah & the vet said it could be the chicken!

I usually give him leftover steak, but I guess he could easliy be allergic to that!

[bullwinkle428]

9. I only have experience with their cat products, but this is a wonderful pet food line,

and they have a vegetarian formula for dogs with protein allergy sensitivities:

http://www.naturalbalanceinc.com/dogformulas/Vegetarian.html

This is a company started by the actor Dick Van Patten several years ago. I have two different cats that were experiencing stomach problems that went away almost completely after they started eating the special allergy formula dry cat food.

[flvegan]

23. This is another excellent suggestion.

It's not the easiest food to find, commercially, but is also a high quality alternative.

Thanks for posting this!

[bullwinkle428]

37. Petco stocks the Natural Balance line for the most part - they offer all of

their products online, and I've found the cat allergy formula dry food at a few different Petco stores without a problem. Here's the link for the vegetarian dry dog food (described as a "true vegan formula") including some very positive reviews from dog owners:

http://www.petco.com/Shop/petco_Product_R_783_PC_productlist_Nav_183_N_22+92+30+169_sku_899070_familyID_10962.aspx

[SPKrazy]

10. I Had A Dog That Licked A Bowl Of Clam Chowder and Broke Out

We had to give him benadryl, quite a large dose as I recall. He was fine and it takes a few days to get over an allergy skin attack. Your dog should be fine. I don't know that benadryl makes dogs sleepy like it does us humans.

[Shell Beau]

12. My vet said we should give him 1mg per pound.

I never do because that seems like a while lot. He is 80 lbs. and the aduly does is only 50mg. Unfortunately, my dog has chronic allergies. I have spent well over $2000.00 at the vet on him because of it.

[MadMaddie]

15. We were spending the same amount of $$ and our costs have

been cut tremendously.

[SPKrazy]

25. Bummer. Give Him Benadryl. I wonder If there is doggy Claritin?

[flvegan]

27. OMG, NO!!!!

1 mg of Benedryl (active ingredient diphenhydramine hcl) is 25 mg per tab. So, a 25 lb dog gets 1 tab, a 50 lb dog gets two, a 75 lb dog gets 3 and a 100 lb dog dies within a couple hours.

The non-drowsy ones are worse.

Go with the "children" dosages.

[Shell Beau]

29. I have been giving him childrens. But the doses seem to be the same.

He is 80 lbs, so I should give him 3? I may have misunderstood the vet.

[flvegan]

30. I'm not going to second guess your vet.

He/she is a professional. I would, however, speak with him/her and get VERY specific advice on dosing Benedryl and the like. Children's v. Adult dosages, very, very dangerous for the dog.

[Shell Beau]

33. I agree with you. I thought it was a lot myself.

The dose on the children's Benadryl says 25mg = 1tsp. I have been giving him 2 tsp. That even kind of scares me. I will ask my vet. I could have easily misunderstood him. Or he could have easily been wrong. Although, I am going to say it was me, because I do trust this vet with my dogs lives. He has been in practice for over 30 years. He calls each pet that comes to see them his babies and he even sends sympathy notes when they pass on. I am thinking that I misunderstood.

[flvegan]

35. Make SURE

he knows WHICH specific Benedryl you're giving the dog. They vary greatly.

I've heard the "just give him a Benedryl" time and again with both positive and (very) negative results based on the miscommunication.

All Benadryls are not created equal.

[Shell Beau]

36. Thanks! You seem to be so knowledgeable on the subject.

And knowing how much you care for animals, I trust your advice!! :)

[flvegan]

39. Couple thousand dogs have passed through these hands.

You live, you learn. I can't perform a surgery, but I know more than many vets here in these regards, no disrespect to them.

One builds expertise. It's not earned nor given.

That said, still, talk to your vet like you'd talk to your childrens' doctor. He/she knows much more than I in this hands-on scenario.

[Maddy McCall]

24. Shell, have you had him tested for ear mites?

I'm sure that if you've been back and forth to the vet, he's been tested.

My weimy got ear mites, and I had to treat the whole clan.

Good luck with your little guy. What kinda dog is he? How much benadryl do you give him? Do you use liquid or capsules? Have you tried tea tree oil on the itchy spots?

Sometimes my schnauzer baby gets the thumpers, and I have to dose her, but usually a little oral benadryl and some tea tree oil on the skin will quiet the itchies.

[Shell Beau]

28. I have some medicine for his spots which are the ears and feet.

I usually give him the capsules of Benadryl and only 50mg. I just can't give him 3 tablets when I would only take two. He is a mixed-breed. Part Golden Retriever and part Australian Shepherd. I have only tried the meds that the vet has given because I am scared to put anything in his ears. But he has been tested for ear mites and it seems to only be one ear that ever gets infected. :shrug: I will try the tree oil on his paws although he will probably lick it all off!! Thanks!

[flvegan]

32. Aha. Makes sense now.

Likely mostly Golden, yes?

Try the vegetarian food I recommended earlier. On weekends, maybe mix it with some canned veg formula (same brand). Crossover slowly, mix both together for around a week or so.

I think you'll be pleased with the results.

[Shell Beau]

34. Thanks again! I always thought it was all that hair he has!!

[driver8]

31. Corn is another problem for some dogs.

Avo-Derm is a good food for dogs with food allergies.