We've done pretty good this year, but Turbo's flea allergy usually gets us once or twice a summer.

He's started itching pretty good the past few days, and I found some bumps on his hind 1/4ers. Finally saw the little bastard of a flea last night.

So, what do others do to control those itchy times?

I'm not religious about flea meds. We don't have problems with infestations, and Frontline, etc. can't keep him from that ONE bite that it takes to set him off.

Its not keeping him from sleeping at night. It does keep him from totally relaxing when he isn't active, though. It bothers him enough I would like to do something other than wait it out, but don't won't to be TOO invasive with drugs.

I've had one dog with flea hypersensitivity and I was religious about flea meds. One exposure with this dog did indeed destroy his sleep and pretty much life-quality.

Have you done any trials of the more successful (for dogs) antihistamines? I'd start with Hydroxyzine and Chlorpheniramine if you want to try antihistamines.

I have resorted to Pred for breaking bad cycles, for the shortest possible time and at the lowest effective dose, but for me it's a last resort -- a magic bullet, but with a lot of potential short- and especially long-term problems.

 Quote: Connie Sutherland

Have you done any trials of the more successful (for dogs) antihistamines? I'd start with Hydroxyzine and Chlorpheniramine if you want to try antihistamines.

No I have not. Benadryl is all I have really tried. It is almost pointless to even try that with him, though. I was never sure of my options.

The old vet would go straight to Depo-medrol. That was before I questioned professionals.:smile: I haven't seen another dog's allergy reactions before, but I know that this is over kill in our situation.

Thank you, I will give your recommendations a try.

Would either one of those be better to try first?

Also, I've never had any official test for a diagnosis. He is 15 lbs., white, and always around me. Seeing a flea is pretty easy on him. I never see a flea on him until he has one of these episodes and I do look him over frequently. I am ASS-U-MEing 1+1=2.

 Quote: Michael_Wise

... Would either one of those be better to try first? ... Also, I've never had any official test for a diagnosis. He is 15 lbs., white, and always around me. Seeing a flea is pretty easy on him. I never see a flea on him until he has one of these episodes and I do look him over frequently. I am ASS-U-MEing 1+1=2.

With only one or two episodes a summer, and with you actually seeing fleas incidental to the episodes, I'd pretty much go along with the assumption too.

Dopomedrol (Methylprednisolone), a prednisolone derivative, wouldn't be my first line, either; I'm with you.

I read Tufts study results in 2005 that concluded (among other points) that there were two antihistamines for humans that were more successful than others on dogs, that about 30% of dogs benefited from the antihistamines alone, and that both were still more successful if used in conjunction with long-chain Omega 3s (which I know that you are giving) and environmental management. I believe that it mentioned the relatively poor track record of Benadryl for dogs, but it may not have. I've read that several times, though, and my own experience bears it out.

However, reactions/benefits to antihistamines are highly individual, and the owner whose dog benefits from Benadryl isn't going to care if most dogs do not benefit.

http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?cls=2&cat=1587&articleid=137
is an article about atopy that discusses antihistamines.

I have had the best results with Hydroxyzine, but again, this is an individual thing.

This is off topic to my original question.

I remember you, or Mike Armstrong mentioning something about allergies and their treatments that I found interesting, but cannot for the life of me remember exactly.

It was along the lines of one treatment, I think steroids or antihistamines, working for either food or environmental allergies, but not the other.

What was that? I'll try to explain better if I need to.:smile:

 Quote: Michael_Wise

... It was along the lines of one treatment, I think steroids or antihistamines, working for either food or environmental allergies, but not the other.

Medications like antihistamines and corticosteroids that reduce itching caused by other types of allergies are not usually successful against true food allergies.

True food allergies (identified via elimination diet, which is the only reliable method for identifying canine food allergens at this time; the blood tests, which are far less useful than the skin tests anyway, and the skin tests -- these are not useful for canine food allergies) are addressed by withdrawing the allergens from the diet.

http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?cls=2&cat=1664&articleid=143

QUOTE: The diagnosis for food allergies is very straightforward. But due to the fact that many other problems can cause similar symptoms and that many times animals are suffering from more problems than just food allergies, it is very important that all other problems are properly identified and treated prior to undergoing diagnosis for food allergies. Atopy, flea bite allergies, intestinal parasite hypersensitivities, sarcoptic mange, and yeast or bacterial infections can all cause similar symptoms as food allergies. Once all other causes have been ruled out or treated, then it is time to perform a food trial. END QUOTE

I used to do the food trial early with the idea that it is a straightforward test. I was wrong. A lack of response to an elimination diet can mean simply that other problems, especially atopy, have not been addressed. When they are, and there are still symptoms, then is the time to do the elimination diet. Otherwise, it might just have to be repeated after, say, intradermal testing (or less accurate ELISA tests).

http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?cls=2&cat=1587&articleid=504
explains the tests pretty clearly, including the reasons for resorting to the not-really-great-for-dogs blood tests for allergies instead of intradermal.

QUOTE: The RAST and ELISA tests, however, are used in special circumstances in which intradermal skin testing cannot be performed, such as:
The skin is too unhealthy to test either due to infection or severe inflammation.
Prolonged drug withdrawal for antihistamines and corticosteroids cannot be tolerated.
The dog is very young.
The dog is a show dog whose hair cannot be clipped.
Intradermal skin testing is unavailable.
The intradermal skin test (IDST) is negative, yet atopy is still suspected.
As a screening test to limit the number of allergens tested for in intradermal skin testing. END QUOTE

Is Chlorpheniramine Maleate the same thing as the Chlorpheniramine you mentioned above?

Also, I'm having trouble finding dosage recommendations.

Antihistamine dosages for dogs

Do these look accurate? Found it while looking for dosages.

I could only find Chlorpheniramine. The best I could find, before I found that chart, for dosages was 2-8 mg every 8-12 hours.

I gave 2 mg last night and again this morning.

Can these work that fast? I can already tell a difference.:smile:

Also, how long should I give them? "The Flea" is under control, all we are dealing with now is the itching.

I give 80lb True 1 4mg. tablet Chlorpheniramine 2-3x/day. According to the bottle this is what an adult human would take and you're not supposed to take more than 6 tablets in a 24 hour period.

So either I'm underdosing my dog or that chart isn't right. Connie will know.

Yes, antihistimines can work that quickly.

 Quote: Sarah Morris

So either I'm underdosing my dog or that chart isn't right.

Hope I wasn't overdosing!