Another dreaded allergy question.

[angelbears]

Justice is tearing himself up scratching. He has had 4 or 5 of these episodes lasting a couple of days. One was at the vets. Vet thought it was fleas but I had him check and he couldn't find any. He then suggested to keep an eye on him and if he developed any bald/hot spots he would test for mange. That was a couple of months ago and nothing developed. I'm thinking allergic reaction. What I'm trying to figure out is food or environmental. What I have noticed is he has a runny nose during these spells. Which leads me to believe environmental. Debra just had a terrible bout with her allergies but that was a couple of weeks ago and the pollen doesn't seem as bad. My question is. Would you expect a runny nose with a food allergy?Of course I would love to hear any suggestions as to what you use to curb the itches. We do have Micro Tek spray, it is hit or miss. Xposted.

 

[Hiraeth]

I wouldn't expect a runny nose with food allergies. Have you asked your vet about using Benadryl to attempt to relieve the itching?

 

[angelbears]

That was my thinking on the runny nose. Benadryl does help. I try to only use it when he gets really bad. Thank you!!!

 

[Hiraeth]

That was my thinking on the runny nose. Benadryl does help. I try to only use it when he gets really bad. Thank you!!!

Stinks that it might be environmental, though. Food allergies, once diagnosed, are so much easier to control than environmental ones

 

[Jakesmum]

This time of year in our area is when the grass starts growing and Jake get's terribly itchy, especially under his font legs, I've always thought that he has a slight allergy to grass and rub a cortisone cream where he itches, that seems to help alleviate his itchiness. We are going to see a dermatologist next week for all of his skin and infection issues and hopefully we will find some relief for him.

 

[Oscar'sMom]

Oscar tends to get a runny nose when the pollen is bad here...environmental would be my guess too.

 

[angelbears]

This time of year in our area is when the grass starts growing and Jake get's terribly itchy, especially under his font legs, I've always thought that he has a slight allergy to grass and rub a cortisone cream where he itches, that seems to help alleviate his itchiness. We are going to see a dermatologist next week for all of his skin and infection issues and hopefully we will find some relief for him.

How has Jake been? Give him a big hug!!!

I have lots of cortisone cream. I'll use some of that next.

 

[angelbears]

Oscar tends to get a runny nose when the pollen is bad here...environmental would be my guess too.

Hopefully, it is seasonal. I can deal with an occasional outbreak.

 

[lexinrose]

My vet had me giving zertac for allergies. But please ask your doctor first before giving anything

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[angelbears]

We just came in from outside and his leg had little whelps all over. It definitely has to be environmental. Washed him off and put some calendula cream on him. He seems to be doing pretty good. Sound a sleep. If I can just wash him off after coming in and put some cream on him I will be thrilled.

 

[Boxergirl]

Two of my dogs get Benadryl daily. Al primarily for environmental allergies. Zyrtec did absolutely nothing for his itchy, red feet.

AB, you can also make calendula tea and use that on Justice. It can be purchased loose very reasonably online. Make small quantities and spray it on him. Small quantities because you have to store it in the fridge and use it in a few days. If you'd like to try before you buy, shoot me a pm. I have a lot in my hedgewitch cabinet.

 

[Yamizuma]

I hadn't heard of Calendula tea as a topical itch reliever, but at this point we'd dip Sid in anything to try to get him some relief. Over the past year, We've tried Benadryl, four different vet recommend shampoos, changing foods in case it was that, courses of antibiotics and other pills...several home brewed topicals with things like tea tree oil, witch hazel....poor dude seems to be allergic to himself.


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[Boxergirl]

I hadn't heard of Calendula tea as a topical itch reliever, but at this point we'd dip Sid in anything to try to get him some relief. Over the past year, We've tried Benadryl, four different vet recommend shampoos, changing foods in case it was that, courses of antibiotics and other pills...several home brewed topicals with things like tea tree oil, witch hazel....poor dude seems to be allergic to himself. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Calendula is pretty mild. You can make an infusion (tea) but let the flowers steep in the hot liquid for a longer period of time to make it stronger. I'm not sure how it would work for severe allergies, but calendula is one of the safest herbal remedies around so it shouldn't hurt anything. Okay - adding a caveat. Don't leave the flowers in the tea. If you leave them in then things can grow. Steep for a period of time and then remove them. Store the tea in the fridge and use within a couple of days. Any time you add water to something it turns into bug food. My preferred method is to make an oil infusion. Here's a link on how to do that.

How to make a Calendula oil infusion | Root Simple

You can then use this oil to make your own salve if you want. As long as you don't introduce water, or water won't be introduced, you don't need a preservative.

 

[angelbears]

Two of my dogs get Benadryl daily. Al primarily for environmental allergies. Zyrtec did absolutely nothing for his itchy, red feet. AB, you can also make calendula tea and use that on Justice. It can be purchased loose very reasonably online. Make small quantities and spray it on him. Small quantities because you have to store it in the fridge and use it in a few days. If you'd like to try before you buy, shoot me a pm. I have a lot in my hedgewitch cabinet.

I hope I have told you just how much I appreciate you! I'm thinking I may have some in Cane's stash. If I can't find it I will gratefully take you up on your offer. I do have Calendula officinalis 30c. Do you think I could dissolve those in some water and use it as a topical? Also, do you think making a remedy with the Calendula pellets would be useful? It says it promotes healing but nothing about helping with the itch. If you need any of the homeopathic pellets check with me. I have a ton of it and would be more than happy to send some your way.

 

[Boxergirl]

I hope I have told you just how much I appreciate you! I'm thinking I may have some in Cane's stash. If I can't find it I will gratefully take you up on your offer. I do have Calendula officinalis 30c. Do you think I could dissolve those in some water and use it as a topical? Also, do you think making a remedy with the Calendula pellets would be useful? It says it promotes healing but nothing about helping with the itch. If you need any of the homeopathic pellets check with me. I have a ton of it and would be more than happy to send some your way.

I think you could certainly try dissolving them, however I don't think it would give you the desired effect. Homeopathic remedies are usually prepared by repeatedly diluting the product in water or alcohol. I think for a topical you would be better served by making your own infusion. You have a good growing season. You should consider planting calendula. It's just pot marigold and is easy to grow.

Thank you for the offer! I don't need any right now, but if I do I'll be sure to hit you up.

 

[Boxergirl]

I just had another idea. Plantain. It's a weed, but a very beneficial weed. I've chewed up an awful lot of plantain and spit it on my kids for bug bites and stings. Always a hit at a cookout! Not. Seriously, it grows everywhere and works quickly and well. I don't know why I've never thought to turn it into a salve before, but it's on my list now. Here are some links.

Plantain by Susun Weed - Weed Wanderings Herbal eZine with Susun Weed

And a link to images for identification.

plantain weed - Google Search

 

[angelbears]

Please do! I will never use most of it and it would be a shame for it to go to waste.

 

[Jakesmum]

How has Jake been? Give him a big hug!!! I have lots of cortisone cream. I'll use some of that next.

Jake has been doing great! We've been able to maintain his health on a low dose of antibiotics until we see the dermatologist this week. I know it's not the best answer but I'd like to keep him on the low dose he's on just to keep him at the status quo he's at, unless we can get a firm answer to his allergies and why he's so susceptible to this bacteria!

 

[angelbears]

So happy that he has been able to hold his own. I hate antibiotics BUT when you need them, you need them. Thank goodness that they are working for him. If you get a chance let us know what the Dermo says.

 

[Jakesmum]

Thanks AB! I will post an update for sure after we see the Dermo.