One other thing - Connie and I used to talk about how amazing it is that only ONE flea can cause a dog to go crazy and start an itch/biting cycle that could leave them a mess. Kasey was one of those dogs and I was forced to use flea control with him or he'd chew himself up. There were times I would swear there were no fleas involved, and then bam, I'd see just one. So really make sure you have fleas 100% ruled out - the derma vet said that is the #1 most common reason for dermatitis issues.

 Quote: Lori Hall

One other thing - Connie and I used to talk about how amazing it is that only ONE flea can cause a dog to go crazy and start an itch/biting cycle that could leave them a mess. Kasey was one of those dogs and I was forced to use flea control with him or he'd chew himself up. There were times I would swear there were no fleas involved, and then bam, I'd see just one. So really make sure you have fleas 100% ruled out - the derma vet said that is the #1 most common reason for dermatitis issues.

WOW, since my dogs are typically flea-free, I only use Advandix or Frontline when they're being boarded while I go on vacation -- BUT it can't hurt to put Adobe on a 3 month course of Flea Meds this summer, just in case ... Please keep "everything crossed" that she will be among the 50% of dogs who Are Helped by a proper dose of BENADRYL

You mentioned Benadryl (diphenhydramine) ... but don't forget that individual dogs respond differently to antihistamines, both in terms of whether they experience relief and in terms of which antihistamines provide relief to which individuals. (For example, my dogs have had more luck with hydroxyzine and chlorpheniramine than with diphenhydramine.) I'd trial them separately, remembering to allow a couple of days for the current trial med to completely leave the system before starting the next (depending, of course, on your vet's advice).

Lori is so right about flea dermatitis -- a flea-allergic dog can have a full-on, full-body itch fest from one exposure.

Also, yes, I too learned the hard (and expensive) way that dermatology is a huge field, and that it makes very little sense to expect GP vets to have at their fingertips the info (and experience) that derm vets do. I wasted a lot of time before learning to see the derm vet first. And allergies in dogs can be miserable -- so miserable that wasted time is the last thing you want. And it's not just misery for the poor dog, but also possible are loss of sleep (for everyone involved), secondary bacterial and/or yeast infections, and more (including even loss of hearing from repeated ear infections).

Is the dog scratching or biting at all on the base of the tail (or the rump), or the back (along the backbone)? And where on the legs is the itch? The front of the legs? (I ask these because the body geography of the itching can give clues to the cause.)

Also, you mentioned contact allergies -- but inhalant/environmental allergies are far more common/likely.*

Allergies in dogs: flea allergy dermatitis is number one. Number two is inhalant allergies. The others are much lower on the list in terms of likelihood. For example, despite the quick assumption by many (including many GP vets) that a food allergy is most likely, food allergies actually account for only about 10% of dog allergies. (Of course, stats mean nothing to the dog who HAS a less common allergy.)

* About the relative uncommonness of contact allergies in dogs:
"Allergic contact dermatitis is a rare disease ... " quote from Drs. Foster & Smith at http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=2+2111&aid=508

(That same page also discusses irritant contact dermatitis, as opposed to allergic contact dermatitis.)

 Quote: Connie Sutherland

You mentioned Benadryl (diphenhydramine) ... but don't forget that individual dogs respond differently to antihistamines, both in terms of whether they experience relief and in terms of which antihistamines provide relief to which individuals. (For example, my dogs have had more luck with hydroxyzine and chlorpheniramine than with diphenhydramine.) I'd trial them separately, remembering to allow a couple of days for the current trial med to completely leave the system before starting the next (depending, of course, on your vet's advice).

Lori is so right about flea dermatitis -- a flea-allergic dog can have a full-on, full-body itch fest from one exposure.

Also, yes, I too learned the hard (and expensive) way that dermatology is a huge field, and that it makes very little sense to expect GP vets to have at their fingertips the info (and experience) that derm vets do. I wasted a lot of time before learning to see the derm vet first. And allergies in dogs can be miserable -- so miserable that wasted time is the last thing you want. And it's not just misery for the poor dog, but also possible are loss of sleep (for everyone involved), secondary bacterial and/or yeast infections, and more (including even loss of hearing from repeated ear infections).

Is the dog scratching or biting at all on the base of the tail (or the rump), or the back (along the backbone)? And where on the legs is the itch? The front of the legs? (I ask these because the body geography of the itching can give clues to the cause.)

Also, you mentioned contact allergies -- but inhalant/environmental allergies are far more common/likely.*

Allergies in dogs: flea allergy dermatitis is number one. Number two is inhalant allergies. The others are much lower on the list in terms of likelihood. For example, despite the quick assumption by many (including many GP vets) that a food allergy is most likely, food allergies actually account for only about 10% of dog allergies. (Of course, stats mean nothing to the dog who HAS a less common allergy.)

* About the relative uncommonness of contact allergies in dogs:
"Allergic contact dermatitis is a rare disease ... " quote from Drs. Foster & Smith at http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=2+2111&aid=508

(That same page also discusses irritant contact dermatitis, as opposed to allergic contact dermatitis.)

THANK you so much, Connie !!! Was hoping to hear from YOU

It's an outta control ZOO at work today -- Will respond further this PM if possible...

 Quote: Candi Campbell

 Quote: Connie Sutherland

You mentioned Benadryl (diphenhydramine) ... but don't forget that individual dogs respond differently to antihistamines, both in terms of whether they experience relief and in terms of which antihistamines provide relief to which individuals. (For example, my dogs have had more luck with hydroxyzine and chlorpheniramine than with diphenhydramine.) I'd trial them separately, remembering to allow a couple of days for the current trial med to completely leave the system before starting the next (depending, of course, on your vet's advice).

Lori is so right about flea dermatitis -- a flea-allergic dog can have a full-on, full-body itch fest from one exposure.

Also, yes, I too learned the hard (and expensive) way that dermatology is a huge field, and that it makes very little sense to expect GP vets to have at their fingertips the info (and experience) that derm vets do. I wasted a lot of time before learning to see the derm vet first. And allergies in dogs can be miserable -- so miserable that wasted time is the last thing you want. And it's not just misery for the poor dog, but also possible are loss of sleep (for everyone involved), secondary bacterial and/or yeast infections, and more (including even loss of hearing from repeated ear infections).

Is the dog scratching or biting at all on the base of the tail (or the rump), or the back (along the backbone)? And where on the legs is the itch? The front of the legs? (I ask these because the body geography of the itching can give clues to the cause.)

Also, you mentioned contact allergies -- but inhalant/environmental allergies are far more common/likely.*

Allergies in dogs: flea allergy dermatitis is number one. Number two is inhalant allergies. The others are much lower on the list in terms of likelihood. For example, despite the quick assumption by many (including many GP vets) that a food allergy is most likely, food allergies actually account for only about 10% of dog allergies. (Of course, stats mean nothing to the dog who HAS a less common allergy.)

* About the relative uncommonness of contact allergies in dogs:
"Allergic contact dermatitis is a rare disease ... " quote from Drs. Foster & Smith at http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=2+2111&aid=508

(That same page also discusses irritant contact dermatitis, as opposed to allergic contact dermatitis.)

THANK you so much, Connie !!! Was hoping to hear from YOU

It's an outta control ZOO at work today -- Will respond further this PM if possible...

MORE help. please, Connie...

OK, Benadryl has proven to be completely USESLESS on poor Adobe, even at a mega-dosage of 300 milligrams morning AND evening for 5 days: ZERO effect, not even the least little bit of Drowsiness

I am willing to TRY a short course of "hydroxyzine" and if that doesn't work, then "chlorpheniramine" or vice versa (which one have you found to be Effective MOST Often, so I can try it FIRST) -- But what are their BRAND names & what is the Recommended K9 Dosage, please, Connie ???

I've used hydroxyzine most. Since "Hydroxyzine HCl is not FDA approved for use in veterinary medicine; however, it is a commonly accepted practice for veterinarians to prescribe this medication for dogs and cats" (from https://www.petcarerx.com/medication-guides/about-hydroxyzine-capsules-for-allergies-in-pets/1134?page=all ) I have had my vet prescribe the generic rather than use the OTC meds like Atarax and Vistoril. I have used both hydroxyzine pamoate and hydroxyzine hydrochloride.

Chlorpheniramine is also not FDA approved for vet med, but is commonly prescribed by vets. http://www.diamondbackdrugs.com/chlorpheniramine-for-pet-allergies/ Its common OTC med is Chlor-Trimeton. I have had my vet prescribe chlorpheniramine, too.

http://www.1800petmeds.com/Hydroxyzine+HCl-prod10175.html has hydroxyzine dosage info, under What is the most important information I should know about hydroxyzine.

http://www.1800petmeds.com/Chlorpheniramine+4+Mg+Tabs-prod10471.html has ditto for chlorpheniramine, under How this medicine should be used.


Does your dog have itching at the base of the tail, or on the back?

Candi, you may want to contact your vet before you start medicating the dog - some medications can mask symptoms which makes the diagnosis even harder for them.

Since you ARE making an appointment for her to see a derm vet, maybe talk with them before medicating her. They may have something better to tide her over until the appointment time.

I also want to EMPHATICALLY state that nobody here is a qualified veterinary health professional. Any medication or dosages stated are done so as anecdotal ONLY. We ALWAYS recommend seeking qualified veterinary care for ANY health problems.

 Quote: Kelly

Candi, you may want to contact your vet before you start medicating the dog - some medications can mask symptoms which makes the diagnosis even harder for them.

Since you ARE making an appointment for her to see a derm vet, maybe talk with them before medicating her. They may have something better to tide her over until the appointment time.

I also want to EMPHATICALLY state that nobody here is a qualified veterinary health professional. Any medication or dosages stated are done so as anecdotal ONLY. We ALWAYS recommend seeking qualified veterinary care for ANY health problems.

Yes, that's the best idea, I'm sure -- We'll just tough it out a little while longer, till the Vet weighs in ... Thank you, Kelly and ALL.

Absolutely!

I've consulted the derm vet several times, and, depending on what was planned for the first appointment, certain meds had to be discontinued in advance. This is something the derm vet decides on a case-by-case basis.

I would also want a vet (preferably, the derm vet) to prescribe the trials of antihistamines, as I've always done.


Is the dog itching along the back or at the base of the tail?

 Quote: Connie Sutherland

Absolutely!

I've consulted the derm vet several times, and, depending on what was planned for the first appointment, certain meds had to be discontinued in advance. This is something the derm vet decides on a case-by-case basis.

I would also want a vet (preferably, the derm vet) to prescribe the trials of antihistamines, as I've always done.

Is the dog itching along the back or at the base of the tail?

Well, it BEGAN in the arm-pits & groin...

Then it spread to the chest, belly & upper front legs...

Next it spread to the upper rear legs & the front of her neck...

Later it spread to her face, ears, and all four lower legs & paws...

She has a few TINY white "pimples" on

Now she will also rarely bite at the base of her tail

There are NO signs of any external parasites & none on my other dog either -- But I have finally given her (yesterday) a topical application of monthly flea prevention, just "in case" -- I will definitely ask about doing trial courses of the 2 antihistamines that you mentioned earlier ... If we can avoid starting on Apoquel then so much the better.