Some of you may recall I have an itchy Scottie Puppy, who went to the vet and was told she is too young to have allergies - tut!

Anyway, I've noticed now that it seems to come in fits and starts - she itches, chews and licks herself daily, but its not really bad all the time - she has phases where she is doing constantly throughout the day to the point she can't get across the room without stopping to scratch, and this lasts for a couple of days,other times it calms down quite a bit and while she's still doing it a lot during the day, its certainly not as bad.  A lot of waffle there, but I know what I'm trying to say lol!

Anyway, I have tried changing food, I have frontlined her a couple of times since the last discussion on this and have bought Quistel.  However she doesn't like me spraying her with the Quistel (and just rubs it all of by rolling on the carpet anyway) and she has only had a few shampoos with it due to the fact that I'm trying to decrease the amount of baths she has, hoping this might help.

I also want to try the fish body oil as suggested by tohme, as soon as I remember to go and buy some lol.

My only problem with all of this of course, is that if something works, then I'm not actually going to know what it was that worked, but I'll cross that bridge when I come to it by gradually removing each possible cure, at the moment I just want to focus on 'fixing it' as I don't like watching her scratching and chewing/licking her legs all day.

Anyway, in addition, she also developed possible conjunctivitis, having huge eye bogies in the corner of her eye each day.  She was examined at the vets and prescribed eye drops which seemed to clear it up, but a couple of weeks later has returned.  Now, the day or so before it returned, I took her to a grassy area/field thingy that we hadn't been to for ages with long dry grass, and its quite possible that that was where we went just before the eye problems originally started.

So putting that together with her general itchyness and the comments other people have made about their dog, I'm putting two and two together and getting five, naturally, and wondering if its a hayfever/grass allergy type thing and am going to try her on Piriton.  I have bought some, as its a handy thing to keep in the cupboard in case of insect stings anyway.  At least I can see if it makes a difference, if not, well, I'm still back at the same point.

So the point of this incredibly long story is - (you knew I'd get there eventually, didn't you!), is that I've seen members say they give 2 or 3 piritons a day, I know the packet itself for children says to give 3 a day, split into havles each time, so those of you that use it, how do you give it to your dogs? How many tablets a day?  Do you give whole tablets or half tablets?  And what are your tips for giving it to the dog, do you go for the putting at the back of the mouth method, or cleverly disguising it in food? Tips greatly appreciated!

My bitch who is 19kg was given 3 tablets once a day on the instructions of my vet. Have not problem giving tablets, either had the tablets to my hound or put them on her meal.

Ah-hah!  I read the phrase 'on the instructions of my vet' loud and clear! ;-) Now I'm worried, maybe I shouldn't give them to her.  Its just my vets seem to think that as a puppy she is too young to have an allergy and therefore refused to do anything about it and I am therefore reluctant to pay £15 for an appointment for them to tell me not to give her Piriton because she can't have an allergy.

Argh, the dilemma never ends!

Thanks for the info, Jackie :-)

Hi , I have used piriton in the past on both my dogs, one who's weight is 9kilos, got 1/2 a tablet three times a day, you do not need your vets permission, mine told me to buy it in boots as it was cheaper, if its going to help you will see the results within 7-10 days, if that one does not help try another one. Also the qusitel shampoo, really does help with the itching, the more you bath with it the better the results, one or two baths per week, I have tried so many shampoos including allermyl, oatmeal, and so on, but quistel, really does give the dog some relief. Are you insured ? also the antihistamines work better with fishoils.
hope this helps eleanor

hi molly (sbt)weighs 17kg and is on 1 and a half 3 times a day this is for dust mites and clover allergy.

(regarding molly,) maybe that is why the piriton, did not work for my Beardie, her weight is 20kilos, she was only getting one tablet three times a day, how long has your dog been on piriton, do you find it stops the itching or reduces it ? just wondering, even with the atarax, that she is having, one twice a day, she still scratches a lot especially first thing in the morning, she does not scratch through the night. she has only been on it for one week.  regards eleanor

hi eleanor,molly has been on piriton now for about 3 months she is also on a small dose of steriods her itching has reduced down quite alot, molly also used to itch like mad in the mornings and lick her feet.she has just started to have imunotherpy injections basically injecting very small doses of her allergys into her she seems to be fine at the moment oh and having a bath once a week.

Just a general word of warning for anyone whose dog's may have a blood clotting disorder - I believe anti-histamines contain a blood thinning component

Hi
I have a Bichon who is very itchy due to her being allergic to dust mites. I give her 2 piriton with her tea at night. She also has 2 Alfalfa and  fish body oil. I crush the tablets up in her food and cut the end of the capsule of fish oil and squeeze it in. She loves it!!!

I am no expert on whether puppies can have an allergy but I really cant see how the vet can see that they couldnt!. Allergies start and then the immune system breaks down which is why they cant fight the allergy. (this is what alfalfa is for)

I would speak to another vet and have your pup allergy tested, it does cost about £200 but you'll feel better once you know what the cause is and possible ways to treat.

Jasmine still suffers as dust mites are hard to control but with the tablets and also shampooing with Malaseb she is much better.

Let us know what happens

Jo
x

Regarding dust mites anyone one tried the spray for dust mites that yorktest sells, you spray every six months, their is an  article about it in dogs today magazine, I think its £14.00 per can. eleanor

Hi
My puppy is 9 months. Until recently he was ok but now has started sneezing all the time and has the eye gunk you describe on your puppy. My vet has said he has hayfever, and to give him two piriton a day. I couldn't work out at first what it was, but thinking about it, I took him for a walk in a different area last week and the footpath was bounded by two oil seed rape, (yellow flowers) crop fields. There isn't any where we normally walk, and he is fine, when we go there.

That's interesting Millie does sneeze very occasionally, but I wouldn't like to assume that's definately hayfever, but its interesting that your puppy gets the eye gunk too.  So I wasn't barking up the wrong tree (scuse the pun!).  I think I'm going to start the piriton.

Regarding the other questions - if I can remember them all now:  Insurance - I don't have it, but would be willing to pay for the allergy testing - if I could get the vet to refer me!  Am still considering getting insurance but the fact I haven't doesn't put me off getting allergy testing.

Another vet - the place I go to is quite good in that it has two surgeries in the area where they share 3 Directors, 2 Senior Vet Assts, 3 Vet Assts and a spattering of nurses.  The first time we mentioned it was when Millie had her first injection (this would either be an asst. or a nurse) who said it was probably puppy behaviour.  The second time was a couple of months ago when I think the person who we saw was a Senior Vet. Asst (the one who said she is too young to have an allergy) so there are still others that I can see, I just have to be lucky enough to be assigned a different person next time! ;-)

Age/Allergy - I agree, I don't think its fair to say she is too young to have developed an allergy, I would have thought you can be born with an allergy which is why I'm currently trying to solve/ease the problem myself, but will definately keep going back about it.  I won't be fobbed off by that remark!

Quistel - Okay I will 'up' the usage!  I do believe it works.  It was mentioned to me on here before that bathing her to often could cause it, so, ever willing to accept advice I was trying to reduce it but I think I will progress to more frequent bathing with Quistel.

My sister pointed out that when she's biting her legs (usually back ones), she bites down the leg as though she is chasing something, which really made me think it was fleas.  however, she has been checked for this twice at the vets, including having a sort of scraping done but no trace of flea dirt can be found and they don't think its that.  I will say her aggressive itching did appear to ease about a week after her last Frontline, but the licking and biting didn't nor the fact that she still scratches a lot of times throughout the day, and the arrival of the eye gunk has happened since, so I think that may be coincidence.  I'm also paying more attention to her itching around the time before and after I Frontline, as I am waiting for this to solve it!

Thank you all so much for your tips and advice, greatly appreciated!  Eleanor, I haven't forgotten to respond to your mail about Quistel, I will get round to it I promise!

I know what you mean about biting up and down the leg,it's like their eating a corn on the cob really quickly  ;)

christine

Yes!  That's exactly it, LOL :-D

Hello
I'm andrea in Canada....and I just Googled my problem...and came up with this discussion board! Really glad cause I have a Scottie puppy, 5 months old, and he's doing everything Jess is describing....scratching till he's bald on the hind legs....eye gunk only like 2 days though, he has little red bumps but the vet said that's from his nibbling. Here is what I have learned in my "travels" to the vet: it is extremely rare for puppies to get allergies because the way it works is one has to be exposed to an element first...like it's usually in the second season of summer that an allergy would develop to grasses or pollen...etc..., so she thinks it's food if an allergy at all...also antihistimines work for some dogs, not for others, they need a higher dose than humans BUT you can give too much, so watch it (it can be toxic)....also our sinuses are located in our head, so when a human's allergic to something the eyes water and nose runs....but a dog's sinuses are in their skin, so when they're allergic...they ITCH! Pretty interesting huh? Anyway, Duncan's on steroids because he scares me itching so much...it's so upsetting, but I know this is a very short-term solution! I tried the antihistimines....BTW a pharmacist told me Benadryl was the strongest one...but after a week each of using 2 kinds Claritan and Benadryl....the itching was still bad....I stopped...maybe I should try longer...also, everyone's telling me I wash him to much (once a week with Hypoallergenic PUPPY shamoo), so I've stopped washing him (been 2 weeks now)...I'm getting desperate for cures too because he's had everything else ruled out....both kinds of mange (got treated), treated for fleas a month ago, and he's been on Eukaneuba Fish and Potato food for 2 weeks....so it seems it's allergies or just some sort of mysterious "puppy affliction" that makes no sense to me whatsoever! Somebody help us! jess, if you find out what's wrong with your Scottie, Please let me know! email or post THANKS! and good luck :o)  Andrea and Duncan

forgot to mention that certain breeds are "prone" to skin problems and allergies....and yes, guess who? Scotties was on the list! I remember Westies, Cairns, Beagles and Dalmatians were on the list too...

OK! I think I'm going to a dermatologist! Check out this article....scroll down to the Dermatologist?Skin allergies part!

http://newyorkmetro.com/nymetro/urban/pets_animals/features/5709/

Hi Andrea!

Great to have another Scottie owner as a member here, hurrah!  And someone with a Scottie suffering the same problem, I don't feel alone anymore!  I read the article, ty for the link, it interestingly mentions nail-biting which is something Millie has started doing, and you mentioned bald patches which wasn't a problem before until a couple of days ago my other half spotted she has a bald patch on her front left leg from licking - I haven't found this bald patch myself however so I'm taking his findings with a pinch of salt.

I understand now what the vet says about her being too young to develop an allergy, makes sense now.  But something must be making her itch.  My sister (Westie owner) noticed it the very night we brought her home and she'd never been outside before so I don't think grass is the original cause, but I suppose I shouldn't rule it out altogether as it could have developed since.  Her food has been changed several times but they could still have a common ingredient...but it leaves me thinking along the main lines of dust mite allergy or very sensitive skin - its true what you say about Scotties being on the list of itchy dogs - one of their breed traits is being prone to dandruff. 

The piriton has made no difference to her eye bogies (going to start the eye drops over again now) although she has scratched a lot less lately - however she is in season and is concentrating all her efforts on licking herself clean so it could just as well be the distraction.  Oh I'm going round in circles here, aren't I!!

I notice your Scottie is called Duncan - is that after the cartoon character?  I ask because I get a daily cartoon by email about a Scottie called Raising Duncan - never heard of him over here previously but it seems he is famous in the US and therefore possibly Canada too?  (not that I would make comparisons about US and Canada of course!  I have family in Canada so I know how that's frowned upon!).  Hey, Scottie puppies, Canada...we have things in common, that makes you my new Best Champdogs Friend! :-D

Jess:

Goodie...new friends! Duncan has bitten (itched, chewed) all the hair off of his back legs...and it is "going" up the sides of his little body! he now has like a mohawk over his bum....and the base of his tail is gone (looks like a feather duster)....I'm telling you, he looks horrible, but it's nothing compared to how uncomfortable he must be....sigh....I brought him home at 3 months old and he was eating Eukaneuba...I kept him on that....but changed his food to Nutrience (a Canadian brand), got a new bed, and had been washing him frquently...also he'd been walking outside regularly with me....so it could have been any of these things that started the itching! So, he's been itchy for about a month...First all the hair around his eyes was going (no boogies tho) and chewing the legs....but now after seeing the vet and being on the steroids and change of food to fish and potato....the eyes are fine, but his legs are worse....all the hair's gone! It's mysterious! Why would the eyes get better, but the rest of him get worse? MY vet said any vet she's been talking to said in a puppy this young look to food allergies, not airborne....which is good, cause if it's airborne....he's basically screwed, there's not much we can do...but if it's food, I might have a fighting chance to make him better. I think I'm going to bring him to a derm though because my vet doesn't seem all that knowlegable as to his condition (and skin stuff). EVERYONE has a different opinion as to how many times you should bathe a puppy (or dog) though....I wish I could just get some solid info! I've been researching and researching and short of going to all different vets in the city (and using up ALL of my money), I'm doing all I can.

No Duncan is named after Duncans we have married into the family....we're English/Irish and a bit Scottie from my Dad's side.....and my Grandmother's sister's daughter ?? marrried a Duncan. I just thought it was the perfect name for him :o) My friend told me about a famous cartoon like that...I think that's it and I always meant to look it up and Google it, but never have ....will now! I've never seen it....must be adorable....I"M raising Duncan! hahahaha LOL! Where are your realatives in Canada?...no, we don't all know each other here  :o)...I'm in Ottawa ...and so is Dunkie!

OMG!!! Raising Duncan is sooooo cute! Aaaaah, I can't stand it! I'm going to go subscribe right now!
hee hee!!!

Hi peeps!
Am new here and love this discussion.
I have 3 Dogs, 2 shih tzu's and 1 Shiranian.
My eldest Shih Tzu has terrible allergies, we have now found a solution after 2 years!!
we changed his food to BURNS HYPOALLERGENIC lamb or chicken with brown rice, NOT MAIZE he is allergic to that! no treats except fresh apple, banana and carrot!
Also he has had to have steroids and then was put on ATOPICA tablets, yes they are expensive but he only now needs one ONCE A WEEK you have to get them on prescription and they are great!
Now I am trying him on piriton because he has been so good on this food for over a year now that I want to get him off the ATOPICA. But as he was on it once a week then it was about £10 at the most a month so not too bad! But boy did it help! Great for Bud.
I will keep you informed how he goes with the piriton!!
Bud is allergic to anything BOVINE, outside dust on the roads, grass, he ended up in an awful mess, but he is now back to his non itchy self! and beautiful coat and I only bathe him once a month, sounds horrid but it does his skin good as long as he is groomed everyday!
So will keep all pupdated and interested to see how you all do.