Help!  I have a very itchy jack russell cross. I have taken him to the vets but all they have said is that he has an allergy to pollen and that every 2 weeks he would need any anti-itch injection!!!  There must be something else I could use? The injection hasn't worked that well and the poor little man is still scratching.  We have ruled out any psychological reasons (we are well read on dogs as we own two and take our ownership very seriously!).  I have tried anit histamine but its had no affect.  He has never had this before but the vet said it takes up to 1-2 years for a dog to develop an allergy. I want him to be able to enjoy the summer and not walk round with a collar on to save him from hurting himself by scratching!!!!

One of mine normally gets itchy this time of year (started as a puppy) & the Vets have also said it's the pollen ~ hayfever.  Anyway, she was started on normal, over the counter, (from Boots), antihistamine (non-drowsy type).  It normally takes a few days to kick in & she also got a regular hose down, especially if she'd run through long'ish grass.

I have to say that she's now 2+ & so far this year, so good in that she's not been scratchy so she has now possibly, hopefully, grown out of it

Thanks for your response!  How much do you give him?  A whole one or 1/2?

I gave a whole tablet but that was for a BC, might need a bit less for a JR?  Your Vet should be able to tell you.  BTW, it was my Vet who told me to get Piriton or Clarityn (couldn't remember the name before) or it's equivalent as it was cheaper to buy on 3 for 2 from Boots than 1 single box from him :rolleyes:

Our vet has been treating our Bichon for 17 months for food and pollen allergy - he just gave him steroids and anti-biotics all the time.  I tried Piriton but nothing worked.  About two months ago I was getting desperate because as well as scratching his ears to bits he had then started scratching near his eyes.  The vet decided to do an ear scrape and blood test for sarcoptes.  The ear scrape found nothing but the blood test came back positive for sarcoptic mange.  The treatment it Stronghold on the back of his neck every two weeks - he is on his 5th treatment now and he hardly scratches at all other than just normal doggy scratching - before he was scratching nearly all the time and had to have a lampshade collar on 24 hours a day.  I am so mad that it was something so simple at the end after all he has been through.  He is a much happier dog now. :)

Thanks for this.  I'll keep this in mind.  Bliming vets!  Our poor animals have to suffer until they figure it out! I guess its like a needle in a hay stack though.

I have a VERY ithcy dog (all the time!) and we give her piriton - obviously check the dosage with your vet.

Just a tip: if you think you will need a large amount your chemist can order them in - a pot of 500 tablets costs approx £8.20, as opposed to buying them in a packet over the counter (branded they are Piriton Allergy, different content to the piriton one a day) for which you will get 30 for around £3!!

Hope it gets sorted out soon!