Please help...

Hi, sorry I haven't been on for ages have been really busy with uni, and so tired from staying up all night and doing essays then up with kids at 6am I just can't even think straight to come on here and type.

Anyway, Tinker has developed a massive rash again. I thought because it cleared up not long after we had her that it was the change over to James wellbeloved that helped ease her itching. Unfortuantely it looks like she is allergic to grass or pollen or something. As now the weather is good she is suffering again. We went for a 3 hour walk yesterday in the sunshine and she couldn't enjoy it. Over the last week she has started loosing her fur on either side of her body. We thought at first it was her coat colouring, as she does have different colours mixed in. But yesterday whilst in the sun we can see the true extent of it.

Under her belly is red with her and full of cuts where she is scratching. And the same under her legs, feet, around her eyes generally any area where the hair is thinner. Yesterday whilst out she spend the whole time rolling around and rubbing her head on the floor. And yesterday afternoon when she was out in the garden she dragged her belly on the floor constantly. So we bought her in and bathed her to cool her off. It did the trick for 10 mins or so but then she was scratching again.

We gave her some piriton yesterday after researching on the net. It seems she can have the liquid form (which is the only one we had here). Within half hour to an hour she had stopped. Her evening walk was more enjoyable as she didn't once rub herself.

When we came back I sponged her belly with cool water, around her eyes and feet/legs. And gave her another 2.5ml spoon of piriton. She then settled for the night. She seems less red and inflammed this morning and has been in the garden playing without dragging herself across the floor. I did the same again though, sponged her down before coming in and another lot of piriton.

I read on the net she can have the same dose as a child so have been giving her a dose for a 1-2 year old which is 2.5mls twice a day. Does that seem ok for her? And if so how long can I keep giving it to her? In the short time she has had it she seems to have benefited from it.

Also we are taking her to the vets to get her looked at, should we tell the vets she has had piriton? I know some don't agree with using it.

I'm not an expert on dosages and I think the meds you are giving and the dosages you are using are fine. I would definately ask the vet though. I would never lie to my doctor or my vet.

I've never used the liquid form of Piriton - is it still Piriton, or Piriteze? If it's Piriteze, don't use it. I must be Piriton.

She's old enough to be able to have a Piriton tablet morning & evening with no problems at all. If it helps, use it. You can tell the vet - they often advise you to use it anyway!

When you come in from walks, try sponging her belly/sides/paws with cool, salty water. That'll ease the itchiness & get rid of any pollen/grass sap (which is what Dempsey is allergic to).

Poor girl, it must be horrible for her.

Wasn't sure as from what I read yesterday it seems that vets don't like the use of piriton in animals, not the human form anyway.

No Caryll it is piriton, just a liquid form because it is designed for younger children to take who can't take tablets. Same stuff though, and we were given it when Harrison fell in nettles after finding out he is allergic to doc leaves. But no definately not piriteze.

Great thanks Caryll, will get some tablets for her today then. Couldn't yesterday as the chemists were shut and we don't live near a larger store.

I will mention it to the vets then. They told Ian last time he took her for it, not long after we had her. That she is allergic to the hoover because it was creating dust, not sure I believe that one, seems to be more seasonal with her.

And yes it is awful for her. Not nice watching her in so much discomfort. Still she seems a lot more settled today. Thanks for the tip on salty water too, we have just been using plain cool water so will give that a go.

She was so aggravated by it yesterday she made her nipples bleed dragging herself down the garden. Our back garden slopes so she starts at the top and commando crawls all the way down. Must be horrid to be so itchy!

Scubasteve wrote:Wasn't sure as from what I read yesterday it seems that vets don't like the use of piriton in animals, not the human form anyway.

Hmmm. Maybe that's because it's cheaper than the stuff they'll give you, which has exactly the same active ingredients! My vet's quite happy with Piriton & advised me to use it when Dempsey got a nasty reaction to a tick bite.

That's one of the reasons I read about. Apparently there isn't a difference between the stuff they give you and the human kind. Also read that they would prefer to push steroids rather than use piriton so will see what they say about it all.

Our vets seems quite good with her so will make her an appointment once Ian wakes and lets me know when he can take her. But we will tell them the difference it has made to her in the short time she has had it. She can now relax and sleep. Yeserday was horrid with her and it has flared up in such a short space of time since the sun has been out and also think cutting the grass in the back garden has triggered a flare up with her. Because Ian cut the grass on friday.

Steroids do seem to be a stock prescription for skin troubles. I avoid them like the plague! I've had several arguments with vets & doctors over the use of steroids - one was with my doctor who wanted my daughter to go on steroids for mild asthma! I refused & 10 years later she's doing fine!

I won't be keen if the vets simply offer steroids. They are often prescribed to Harrison too for chest infections/asthma. But we do try and avoid them as much as possible, that and antibiotics. Because that is another item over prescribed to him!

Anyway, I thought she was better (not completely I'm not that naive, but eased slightly), but has once again been dragging herself downt the grass. Had to bring her in though as she ate a load of grass then promptly threw it back up. Need to get her sorted so we can enjoy the summer with her, and not see her so distressed!

Poor girl it must be so infuriating for her and you. I am so lucky that I have never had to go through allergies with Moo.

I hope the vet can advise you further. Just a thought that sometimes changing foods can help, although as you know its pollen / grass it may not.

I have heard that evening primrose or aloe vera can help with the irritation and also a friend reccomened me this, I haven't a clue if works though.

http://www.aromesse.com/skin-problem/petnat-itchy-skin-relief-dermacton-cream-spray-shampoo-dog-canine.html

I hope you find her some relief Xx

Thanks Janey, will look into that.

We changed her from the wagg she was on, to James wellbeloved. She seemed to be better on it, but thinking now it was just because it co-incided with the winter months.

I've always used Neosporain with aloe vera to help heal the area as well as relieve the itching

It sounds to me like she may be allergic to certain pollens and other allergins in the air in spring.