Hi guys, I am hoping that some of you may be able to offer me some advice with regards to a problem with one of my dogs. I will say firstly, that I have been to the vet with her, but I am looking for advice based on other people’s experiences of similar conditions.
Maisie is one of my dogs, a ten year old Tibetan terrier, and up until a month ago, she had never had any problems at all which have ever needed veterinary treatment. Anyway, after living in Edinburgh for her entire life, my partner and I moved down to Lincolnshire last month, and the problem has started since then.
We were told by the vet, that Maisie had a severe allergic reaction to something- her skin was red and blotchy- mainly over her back, and under her tummy on either side (I guess the bits where they can itch easiest).
She was very itchy, and depressed. Because her skin had gotten worse over two days (hence the vet visit), the vet gave her an injection of steroids, and told us to buy anti histamines over the counter, and give her one every couple of days.
This we did, and her skin returned to normal in about 5 days- but I believe this was solely as a result of the steroid injection. Anyway, the anti-histamines every couple of days- didn’t seem to work, so the vet said give her one every day. Again, her skin was not getting any better, and the more she itched, the worse it got.
Nothing has changed dietary wise, although I have since changed her solely on to a hypo-allergenic food anyway just incase (one she has had before).. So I don’t believe it is derived from a food intolerance. It has definitely started since moving to the country, we have a massive garden (covered in moss, ground elder, and conifers and trees surrounding it) - which I believe may be the cause of her problems.- also we have a coal fire too.
I know of the allergy tests that can be done, blood tests and skin tests, although I have researched the pros and cons to both and I am not convinced about having them done- particularly before I have heard from people with similar experiences.
If it was found to be the moss in the garden, or the conifers for example, I am aware that a tailor made injection can be made up for her, but it concerns me that she would have to have these for the rest of her life.
I’ve heard of people using herbal remedies, but again, I was looking for any information from people’s actual experiences, rather than being told by a vet, who seemed more interested in the money she was getting from me, than what was actually best for Maisie.
Any advice would be so greatly appreciated.
One last thing I will say, my other dog has been scratching a little more than usual, and also had two tiny little sore spots on his tummy but no where near on the same scale as Maisie, so this may be insignificant… surely there must be something I can do to alleviate their reactions to whatever it is!
I have used tea tree on the sore spots, and this definitely soothes the irritation, but I don’t want to use it long term when I know of the problems associated with the toxicity of tea tree oil to dogs and cats too !!!
Maisie is one of my dogs, a ten year old Tibetan terrier, and up until a month ago, she had never had any problems at all which have ever needed veterinary treatment. Anyway, after living in Edinburgh for her entire life, my partner and I moved down to Lincolnshire last month, and the problem has started since then.
We were told by the vet, that Maisie had a severe allergic reaction to something- her skin was red and blotchy- mainly over her back, and under her tummy on either side (I guess the bits where they can itch easiest).
She was very itchy, and depressed. Because her skin had gotten worse over two days (hence the vet visit), the vet gave her an injection of steroids, and told us to buy anti histamines over the counter, and give her one every couple of days.
This we did, and her skin returned to normal in about 5 days- but I believe this was solely as a result of the steroid injection. Anyway, the anti-histamines every couple of days- didn’t seem to work, so the vet said give her one every day. Again, her skin was not getting any better, and the more she itched, the worse it got.
Nothing has changed dietary wise, although I have since changed her solely on to a hypo-allergenic food anyway just incase (one she has had before).. So I don’t believe it is derived from a food intolerance. It has definitely started since moving to the country, we have a massive garden (covered in moss, ground elder, and conifers and trees surrounding it) - which I believe may be the cause of her problems.- also we have a coal fire too.
I know of the allergy tests that can be done, blood tests and skin tests, although I have researched the pros and cons to both and I am not convinced about having them done- particularly before I have heard from people with similar experiences.
If it was found to be the moss in the garden, or the conifers for example, I am aware that a tailor made injection can be made up for her, but it concerns me that she would have to have these for the rest of her life.
I’ve heard of people using herbal remedies, but again, I was looking for any information from people’s actual experiences, rather than being told by a vet, who seemed more interested in the money she was getting from me, than what was actually best for Maisie.
Any advice would be so greatly appreciated.
One last thing I will say, my other dog has been scratching a little more than usual, and also had two tiny little sore spots on his tummy but no where near on the same scale as Maisie, so this may be insignificant… surely there must be something I can do to alleviate their reactions to whatever it is!
I have used tea tree on the sore spots, and this definitely soothes the irritation, but I don’t want to use it long term when I know of the problems associated with the toxicity of tea tree oil to dogs and cats too !!!
