My dog has dustmite allergies. Does anyone give there pets...

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Answer by kcandozzie
Submitted on 1/11/2004
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My dog Ozzie has food and inhalent allergies - specifically to dustmites. We have been on a schedule of allergy de-sensitization shots for over a year now. We are now at the point where we are experimenting w/ dosage & frequency - back to 1x per week shots - as although he is better than when we started this regimen we still haven't found the magic combination to really get relief. The allergy testing and serum are fairly expensive (we've pd about $800 so far this year) and you need to be vigilant about giving the shots. The first month or so will require you to go to the vet every 4 days for shots in the office. Then it goes down to once a week shots given by the owner and eventually the frequency decreases if your lucky and the dog responds. Unfortunately, we still have to go in every couple of months for Vetalog (cortisone) shots to keep him comfortable and although this is not a good option for the long-term the relief he gets is invaluable. He also has responded well to Atarax as an antihistamine. You should consult your vet re: using one of the less harmful steroid shots for relief and for an antihistimine as well - I have even heard of Zyrtec being used for dogs now. Good luck to you & Beethoven - I hope our info has helped.

Answer by ginab
Submitted on 1/31/2004
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I have a 7.5 yo boxer that has been on allergy shots for about 18 mo. Unfortunately, we've seen no change after administering the shots every 21 days. It's expensive and we've decided not to pursue the shots anymore. He's now on predisone 2x a day. Every time we try to begin weaning down to 1 every 3rd day he flares up again. He's loss great muscle mass and urinates very frequently because he's always thirsty. All side effects of predisone. We give him baths, but that's not done on a weekly basis, which is advised. He's lost most of the hair on his stomach. I think he's also beginning some additional effects of the Predisone, personality change, jittery. He shivers and shakes like a Chihuahua. (spelling?) It's been very frustrating for the last 4 yrs. Nothing seems to have any long term positive effect. We've had him on sprays, shampoos, benadryl, anti-itching pill prescription, topical oil...and others that I can't remember. His allergy test came back with everything in the common home environment, including outside too. It's very frustrating. Sorry, I couldn't add any help. I've been trying to find some help too. I've heard there's holistic treatments for pets available, but the challenge is to find one locally and then the $$$. Good luck.

Answer by Kazham
Submitted on 3/8/2004
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A recent story hit a UK pet website dealing with this issue. (www.ukpets.co.uk - search under dust mites: "Pets with Allergies, removing the triggers" 21/1/04). The story discussed a Dalmatian who had a severe reaction to dust mites that caused 'lumps the size of Maltesers' to appear. After spending $3000 on identifying the problem and looking for solutions, a simple dual action spray that effectively removes dust mites from a company called HealthGuard (www.healthguardtm.com) solved the problem. It is applied to soft furnishings and apparently the results were outstanding. As well as being effective, the cost is insignificant compared with shots and injections, so probably is worth a try. Their mail order service is reliable as I have ordered product for my dust mite allergy - it works with human too!!

Answer by Lee
Submitted on 9/12/2004
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I don't know if you are still looking for answers but I have had great results from the allergy shots. We tried everything for our dog which is allergic to nearly everything. She was losing her hair and getting sores everywhere. We tried predisone but she gained so much weight, it helped some but she still had to wear the head cone. The magic mix for her has been the allergy shots,Atarax, and allergy reducing sprays for dust mites and other allergens. The cost has not been that bad, it was $350 for the test through AlerCheck and the serum is $165 and last 3 to 6 mths. My Vet did not drain me with visit after visit. He ordered the serum and gave me lessons on giving the shot and how to monitor the results and this took place in 2 visits. Now he orders the serum when I call and I don't have to pay office calls because it is just the medication I need. The results have been better than I could imagined by slowly increasing the dose and only after 6 weeks she is doing very well. We use Atarax mostly for when pollen counts are up. It has been worth every cent to us and now we have an extremely active and healthy pet. I wish you the best of luck and hope you find results as good as ours.

Answer by lumbkoz
Submitted on 3/20/2007
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I've had many problems with my dog too. Her allergy was first treated with a change of diet, then she was put on several anti-histamine, then on Atopica, then on other medication and eventually on Prednisolone - I have had to change the amount and frequency several times and now she is on 1 tablet one day and 1/2 tablet the next. It's the best result so far but I've had to compensate the side effects with Incurin which strengthens the sphincter to avoid incontinence due to frequent weeing and also milk thistle to help the liver which is affected by her medication. Also I use the hot itch lotion, a miracle lotion by Denes that soothes the skin and aloe vera in her food as well as omega 3 and digestive enzymes. I use the anti mite action spray every time I change beddings and vacuum the rugs (we don't have carpets) and try and bathe her once a week but I must admit it is more like once a month. She does jitter particularly at night or in the early hours of the morning - we know because she sleeps with us. Otherwise her skin is very good and apart from licking her paws and nibbling at her pads (I don't think she will every stop doing that as she is an old dog - 15) she no longer scratches all day long.

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Question by jscorner
Submitted on 1/4/2004
Related FAQ: rec.pets.dogs: Canine Allergies FAQ
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My dog has dustmite allergies. Does anyone give there pets allergy shots for allergy's? Beethoven is miserable and steriod shots are not good for them on a regular basis. Please send response as to what you as pet owners do for you pet. Thanks

Answer by Debbi
Submitted on 8/17/2004
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My doctor has kept my 6 yo AM Stafford Shireterror. on predisone for 4 months. they gave her 2 months to live. The lord blessed us with her surviving her lymphanshataia. it is a loss in protein thru her blood. well know I am having a problem with the doctor not prescribing her with predisone he wants her on 20mg for another 4 months but everytime it cost $85-175.00 every month. I have tried to get predisone for her and I am deathly affraid that she will die. Can someone please help me. Bless you and thank you Dave,Deb and Myrna

Answer by miri
Submitted on 8/23/2004
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i there my shi tzu had severe skin problems and after using oatmeal shampoo etc., I found the best is to keep frontline on him and use sulfedene medicated shampooo ...I also give him cod liver oil daily...he is 100% improved and his coat is gorgeous. Hope this helps

Answer by pet
Submitted on 9/9/2004
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ATOPICA is the answer. Ask you vet. No side effects and it does wonders for allergies.

Answer by jb
Submitted on 9/26/2005
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Environmental control of allergen limits exposure. Check out www.dustmitex.com for solutions that eliminate dust mites and allergen in your home and on your pet. You may find the need for allergen shots unnecessary.

Answer by belle
Submitted on 11/29/2005
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I've had great success treating the environment with Ecology Works DustMite & Flea Control, and my dog with Anti Allergen Solution.

Answer by mandy
Submitted on 12/27/2005
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my puppy boogieman has been having skin problems for several months. he's been on a lot of different meds and now is on vetalog and antibiotics. hopefully this will help him. he's cost a lot at the vet but he's worht it.

Answer by Phil
Submitted on 6/19/2006
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Benadryl Allergy will help. 2 Tablets 25mg per tablet twice a day...I am not a vet but my vet said this will help in Minor events. Please check with your Vet. Thanks Phil

Answer by b8aalJxRH8
Submitted on 8/10/2006
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Answer by Northwoods Yorkies
Submitted on 8/24/2006
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My 8 month old Yorkie developed a lesion above her eye, the Vet said it was an allergy and put her on a regime of predisone, I don't like putting a pup on that, to me it's a last resort. Well, we did put her on the predisone but after the treatment was over we were back where we began. I decided to treat it as a child's allergy, I gave her children's benedryl and bathed her with a medicated shampoo it took about a month but she is doing well now. If I see her scratching a little too much especially as the seasons change I give her a little benedryl and she is fine. Good luck as allergeries can be exhasberating.

Answer by Busters Mom
Submitted on 2/2/2007
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My 2 year old boxer has allergies to dust mites, mold and grass. He is also on a food trial to rule out any food allergy as well. Unfortunately, I don't know if I should start the allergy shots or not. It is a huge commitment, especially financially. I have looked into getting pet insurance, but most don't cover the shots. I am going to try a holistic vet next. If anyone has any words of wisdom for me and Buster - we would really appreciate it.

Answer by Charliedq
Submitted on 5/8/2007
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Hi, I have a Labrador who has a multitude of allergies, diagnosed by blood tests through our vet. Luckily he is insured. We had him put on a special diet 'hypoallergenic' and also have had a special allergy medicine made up which he has monthly injections of. He has responded really well. He hasn't, in the eight months of treatment, had any infected scabs suddenly appear upon his skin and is less bloated, too.

Answer by roxanne
Submitted on 6/15/2007
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last yr my puppy was suffering with itchy skin and weeping eyes...i thought this was a eye infection,i later found out that it was actual a dust mite and grass allergy! after researching throughly i discovered a product made by a small company called 'phytopet' they supplied me with there allergy mix..it helps with pollen allergies,mixed grass allergies and dustmite allergies. all for under �5.00 .....the best thing was that it worked within 4 days!!! and it was a completely natural product.and this year she hasn't suffered!

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