Hi Geri,
Kasey is struggling right now too. It's been hot and humid here for almost 2 weeks and something is making all of us have allergy symptoms!

He has been chewing under his tail and his paws also, and even to the point of that black stuff coming up. The derma vet said it's kind of like scab material - the black stuff. I do what you're doing - use the chlorhexidine. I got the spray this last time because it's cheaper than the pads (I got the same brand). I like the spray cause I can get the area covered in that stuff and it really seems to help. The derma vet also said to use human cortisone cream or spray along with it, and that helps a lot too. I always try the external meds first before stepping up the steroid dose.

Have you asked your vet about the Genesis steroid spray? Its an Rx spray that you use on the paws - don't use it on any other skin as it's too strong and will cause the skin to thin. But the paws are thick and it works really well on getting that itching taken care of! It usually relieves Kasey's itchy paws in a couple days. Just make sure there isn't any yeast that is causing it before use.

I would continue with the steroid every third day for another week, use the chlorhexidine and cortisone cream under the tail, and see how it goes. Kasey never had more itching with the allergy shots, but maybe your serum is stronger. He only gets 1cc of the serum every 14 days - I remember your saying yours is 3cc's, right? That is either a lot, or yours is a lot more dilute than ours. I'd ask about it if you think that could be making him itch more.

We aren't sick of your questions btw, I asked plenty of my own when I was starting all this!! Happy to share

Lori,

Our weather is the same here as yours. Very hot and humid for most of the summer.
The reg vet gave me the Genesis spray a long while ago and said it was very strong.
Then later on she gave me a spray I just remembered that is Betagen Topical Spray. (Gentamicin Sulfate with Betamethasone Valerate) It seems she said it was not as strong as the Genesis. Do you know this spray and do you think it would be good to use on paws. ? I got a good look at them tonight and the front ones look good but the back ones are inflammed.
What kind of coritsone spray do you use. ?
I will continue the steriods every third day now for how many doses do you think? I was thinking 3.
His shot is 3.5 cc once a week. I might call on that although
she does know he is itching more because she started him back on the antibiotics.

Geri

I have heard of the spray but haven't used it so not sure. The genesis spray is stronger because the skin of the pads is so thick. You don't use it on a regular basis, just to get the itching down.

How long has your dog been on the shots? I've never heard of that much serum that often - most say every 2 weeks.

Lori,

We started the shots July 17th. So you think I should ask vet about this or see what happens after we're done with this dose of steriods. ?
I will try the Genesis spray if I still have some. How long would you use it. ? How often ? I was going to do a full week of the pads first unless you think that might not work. Underneath the tail has been a little better last 2 days after using the pads for about 5 days there.
What coritsone cream or spray do you use. ?

Thanks

Geri

Lori,

We started the shots July 17th. So you think I should ask vet about this or see what happens after we're done with this dose of steriods. ?
I will try the Genesis spray if I still have some. How long would you use it. ? How often ? I was going to do a full week of the pads first unless you think that might not work. Underneath the tail has been a little better last 2 days after using the pads for about 5 days there.
What coritsone cream or spray do you use. ?

Thanks

Geri

Lori,

PS

I forgot to ask this. My old guy Max started itching about 1 month ago for the first time ever in his 9 yrs. So I put him on the antihistamine right away and it seemed to help. Itching had calmed down. But I just noticed the other day that now he has the black stuff by his privates, again first time ever. I wonder if I can use the pads on that area? I thinking not. Do you think I need a trip to my reg. vet or do you have some other idea? Can't believe this is happening as he has been allergy free all these years. Never been sick a day in his life.

Thanks again.
Geri

I highly suspect that you are having a flea problem since your second dog, who never itches, is now doing the same kind of chewing under the tail. I would do some flea investigating with the white sheets and looking for the tiny black spots that turn red when wet. It just sounds highly suspicious.

I just use Cortisone 10, or the store generic for the cortisone cream or spray - you can get it at any drug store.

Lori,

Can I use the coritsone cream or spray on the skin by his privates? I know that is a delicate area.
I should have been clearer on my older dogs problem. He is not itching under tail. He has the black stuff by his privates and is scratching his sides. But not near as bad as the allergy guy Frazier.

Geri

I wouldn't put it directly on the tip of the penis, but it can go everywhere else. It won't hurt if he licks some of it, but I would put it on and then distract him for a while so it can soak in and work before he licks.

I would still make sure that there is absolutely no fleas at all too. One flea bite last week when Kasey's flea med was in it's last week and wearing off, caused all the problems you are describing. I'm still getting the spot healed up where it bit and Kasey chewed it all up.

Lori,

I'm wondering if it is a flea problem, maybe I need more flea protection. I read somewhere, maybe from you, that somebody used Confortis beginning of the month and spot treatment in the middle of the month. Your thoughts?
I made an appmt with the Derm Vet just in case his spots are not cleared up by next Wed. She said she would like to see him again. I hope that they are cleared up by then as she is very expensive.

Thanks
Geri