me again :-)

My dog saw a dermatologist today.  She was referred because of an allergy which I am 100% sure only flares up after she swims.  The vet didn't believe me though, not sure why as I've been very methodical in testing this.  He said because I have 4 dogs, it's more likely to be a flea allergy?  I'm struggling a bit with this as I have never, EVER, seen a flea... and he saw no sign of fleas either. 

Anyway, I've come away significantly poorer and with a box of comfortis.  I'd never heard of this and felt my opinion wasn't particularly important by that point :-(  I'm supposed to be giving this to all of my dogs.  I don't really like the idea of treating them for fleas at all (seems silly when there are no fleas??), but Im even more reluctant to use a systemic treatment. What do you all think?  Anyone used this product before?

Thanks,

Clar

It might only take one flea that has jumped off another species that hosts the same flea to trigger an allergic response. What about mosquitoes- don't know where your dog swims but generally they like moist, marshy conditions. Assume she swims in freshwater, if sea it could be salt- but you'd know that.

Don't know if your dog is long-haired by a slightly damp undercoat can be a devil for triggering hotspots which can quickly become a nsty and irritating rash- some breeds seem to be more prone to hotspots.

Thanks - it's anywhere my dog swims - beach, river, lake (and at any time of year)... but I've never considered mosquitoes so thanks for the suggestion.  I'm not very clued up on fleas, I must admit, but would a flea treatment/preventative prevent one flea jumping from another animal to my dog?  I assumed they just prevented them from living and multiplying on a treated animal.

If your dog is a goldie (cannot properly see you avatar) then they are a breed more prone to hotspots and the damp fur might be a factor- don't know if you have considered this or discussed with your vet?

Why should having four dogs point to fleas ? Just because of this doesn't mean you would have a flea problem.

I would get a flea comb and do a thorough comb through of all the dogs to see if there is any evidence. Flea poo ( black specks or fleas) before giving them a treatment.

> He said because I have 4 dogs, it's more likely to be a flea allergy?

I don't see his reasoning.  I have a whole load of dogs, all living in the house, and I've only seen fleas 3 times in the last 20 years.  Like you I see no reason to treat dogs for fleas when they don't have them.  I'm totally against overdosing. 

I really understand why you feel he didn't listen to you.  Grrrrr!

Thanks for the reassurance... I won't be treating them for fleas as there is no evidence of any at all.  I guess I can keep this stuff in the cupboard just in case.  I thought a specialist vet would be our best bet, but I think my poor dog will just have to continue with on-lead only walks to be sure we avoid water :-(

> My dog saw a dermatologist today.

One of ours is having skin problems again (loosing large areas of his coat)  & it's been suggested that it's house mites, asked if I used spot on & said no, will only use if they have fleas (use a flea comb 2/3 times a week). Told that I must use spot ons as it would help with mites & that no dermatologist these day will consider seeing a dog that has not been treated!

Sorry to tag on to your post.

> no dermatologist these day will consider seeing a dog that has not been treated!

That sounds crackers - after all, the dermatologists will usually take a skin scrape which would show up any parasites when they send it off to the lab.

Lacy
Last year for no reason we or the vet could fathom, my GSD lost a mass of coat (she is a LC), and this included top coat, in a short space of time (about a month). She looked like a greyhound. Couldn't find a cause for it.  I decided to give her coconut oil, 1 tsp twice a day.  The results were miraculous. Within 8 weeks her coat was really noticeably grown back to about 2" in length. Within 3 months she had her full coat (thicker than before). Who knows if it could help your dog...but it can't harm.  I also rubbed it into her callused elbows, and the fur is gradually growing back on them, which the trainer of my club reckons is unheard of. Once you have 'elephant skin' it is thought to be irreversible. Her calluses were about 2" round and thickened and elephant skin like.  It has taken a long time for the calluses to change, but change they have and gradually the hair is growing in. It also made her generally frisky LOL (She is 10).  I use it for both my dogs now, the love it and lick it off the spoon.  I got the Biona raw organic off of Amazon, big pot, good value.
The trainer at our club asked me to write an article about our experience with the coconut oil for our club magazine, as she was so amazed at the results with my girl. They obviously saw her every week, with the coat loss and the regrowth!