Has anyone had any sucess using Benadryl for you're dogs persistant itching? I was told to give my dog 100mg to 150mg every 8 hours to slow or stop the constant itching. I'm trying to solve this problem without having to have my dog checked for allergies, etc. From what I understand this could be a very expensive and time consuming process. I realize that the itching could be due to a hundred different things but I need some help in order to give my dog some relief. He is also licking his front paws constantly. It's driving us both nuts. Thanks.

I am not a vet, but I have used this product and it did give my dog some relief, but the best thing I did is switch to a raw diet. This is what has cleared up my dog's skin and smell. I tried everything under the sun but I feel alot of these types of problems are casued by dog food.

Glenn,

If you're dog isn't on a raw diet, you should probably put him on one. He may very well be allergic to something that's in his food. My dog has terrible allergies which eased up considerably when I put him on a raw diet. I did give him Benadryl for a very short period of time, but I don't like giving my dogs any sort of medication that I don't have to, so I took him off after about a week. Instead, I use aloe vera (spray or gel) when he has problems. This seems to ease the itching and also helps heal the spots he's been scratching and chewing at. I've had more success with aloe than with any of the sprays and creams, etc. that the vet has given me. It works great in red, inflamed ears also.

Whatever you do, DO NOT allow your vet to give your dog steroid injections for the allergies. I fell for this when my dog first started having problems, and he's been having horrible aggression problems ever since. My holistic vet firmly believes that the steroid injections have permanently screwed my dog up. He got the steroid injections 7 months ago and he's been nothing but a nervous, aggressive, paranoid basketcase ever since. Don't let them talk you into steroid injections. This is one of the first things a lot of vets try.

Melissa

Glenn,

Benadryl would probably hide these symptoms for a while but won't do much to cure the problem. 99.9% of the time the root of these problems ("allergies") lie in the diet.

Fresh CHOPPED or CRUSHED raw garlic has amazing properties, and has been used a very long time for its medicinal capabilities. It will enter into the system and kill plenty of nasty little things that may be building up in there, leaving the immune system not too busy for other chores. Try giving your dog a fresh clove or two of garlic daily for a couple of weeks and watch these so called "allergies" disappear. Follow this up with a "maintenance dose" a couple of times a week or more.
Anything (almost) is worth a try right? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I appreciate all you guys giving me some good alternative ideas. I for one DO NOT believe in giving dogs any type of steriod injections either. These allergies or so called allergies are a pain in the butt and most vets are of little to no help. I believe that the answer to my dogs problems lie in the responses I get from all of you guys out here in the real world. I am working on switching my dog to a raw diet soon but am not able to do it just yet. I do think that between the crappy kibble, vacinations, etc. dogs are getting more and more screwed up. The vets are getting filthy rich off of us while we and our dogs suffer. Thanks for you're ideas, I'll consider everything I've been told as great advise.

I adopted a dog with some severe skin problems, including some lick granulomas. The previous owner's vet had done a lot with steroids and benedryl, but it never cleared it up. He also become very defensive.

We're still working on his defensiveness, but his skin has cleared up. I feed a part raw diet, and part avoderm. I also give him a raw egg with every meal. His skin and coat really have changed with this new diet. If i run out of eggs for a while, and then give him one, the change I see is almost immediate. The eggs really seem to make a difference.