skin allergies, incotinence, and weight gain =(

iris · Posted: Wed Jun 18, 2008 10:17 am Post subject:

Hi all,
I wish i had pictures to show you guys but we have the same exact problem. Its driving me crazy and the vet has no clue other than suggesting to give Rocky benadryl. The benadrly has done absolutely nothing for him though! He does scratch these sometimes and the scab over. He is on a raw diet and at fist i was blaming it on the food but now i am not so sure its the chicken, or the lamb, or whatever meat he is eating. He as well has them on his belly and these just started in the last week or so. The bumps on his back, neck and even face, have hair missing and i have even seen a couple bleed. He did not have these in the winter so i am thinking it has to do with either grass chemicals they use or some seasonal allergy. I have been thinking about taking him in and get the allergy skin tests done so at least i know for sure what it is that causing these freaking thing to appear.

Schatze · Posted: Wed Jun 18, 2008 10:18 am Post subject:

I REFUSE to use Prednisone and would not advise it for any reason. My last baby was a german shepherd/rott mix. I lived in a small town and only had 2 vets to choose from. This was 10 years ago and I wasnt as smart as i am today.

She had a few itchy patchy and dry spots so the vet said she had allergies and put her on prednisone for the rest of her life. I asked several times if that was ok and they assured me that a low dose would be fine. She gained a lot of weight and just appeared to be declining so 3 years later I took her off prednisone and started a weight loss program.

To make a long story short- she was diagnosed with cancer a few years later. I did everything in the world I could to save her. I spent over 5000 on chemo and treatments but she still passed away September 07. It almost killed me! I will always believe that the prednisone had everything to do with that.

iris · Posted: Wed Jun 18, 2008 10:45 am Post subject:

Look at this post, Rocky is getting them underneath his neck just like that as well!
http://www.weimaraneraddict.com/discussion/banshee-s-neck-vt8871.html
I think both posts are about the same issue. Man this truly sucks and i have no idea still what to do. He was on antibiotics a few weeks ago, they went away and then started again. Sorry forgot to mention that earlier.

weim2mom · Posted: Wed Jun 18, 2008 12:40 pm Post subject:

So, $200 later, and still covered in bumps.

The vet says that it is some sort of grass allergy, as those pollen are out right now. She does look better this morning though.

I was given antibiotics, a hydrocortizone/steroid conditioner for her skin and was told to stick with the Benadryl, for now.

The next option is to get allergy shots for her, which I really don't want to do. They don't seem to be bothering her much, they just look quite terrible. I am going to try these steps, and see if she gets better.

Oh - by the way - the antibiotic was $87!! Shocked

I almost keeled over!

I also had her thyroid checked while I was in there - as she keeps gaining weight. She is porky, and gets enough exercise and doesn't over eat. I measure out her food (2 cups daily) as per the vet. She is 67lbs, and should be around 57.

I have to bring in a urine sample tomorrow too, as Chevy's incontinence is getting worse. She had three accident last week, two last night. I woke up soaking wet again, but oh well. The vet thinks she has a UTI.

Had Hemi's anals cleaned too, phew he stunk!

All in all, a busy vet visit. I walk in there, and they know her by name. We go too often. Rolling Eyes

weimdogmom · Posted: Wed Jun 18, 2008 2:08 pm Post subject:

About the allergy shots: They do not work for every dog, and the dogs the shots work for it varies how much they really help. And, it can take several months before you would be able to tell the difference. If Chevy's itchiness seems to be managed enough to keep her at least fairly comfortable, I would wait on the shots, too.

I think one big key is keeping ahead of the symptoms... rinsing off after being outside, wiping her down to help get pollen off, bathing, good quality food, etc.

Does the Benadryl make her groggy? And she has been on it now recently? I wonder if that could have something to do with her incontinence? Has she been on any other medication recently?

Jazz is a little heavy for her frame, too. I wondered about a thyroid condition, but had a test (probably there is more than one type, we just did one though) and it came back OK. Maybe that has something to do with the allergies and medications, too?

Banshee13 · Posted: Wed Jun 18, 2008 8:41 pm Post subject:

iris · Posted: Thu Jun 19, 2008 10:18 am Post subject:

Yeah, we dont have any weight issues, if anything he is too thin.
Maybe i will try the Vitamin E. Was this smth you rubbed on their skin? Other then that i am thinking of giving those allergy pills smo posted the link to on the fist page. I got home yesterday and his back looked even worse.

weim2mom · Posted: Thu Jun 19, 2008 1:59 pm Post subject:

weimdogmom · Posted: Thu Jun 19, 2008 2:47 pm Post subject:

peppernaei · Posted: Thu Jun 19, 2008 3:29 pm Post subject:

Welches · Posted: Thu Jun 19, 2008 3:52 pm Post subject:

I just wanted to let you guys know that Yukon has sensitive skin too and after switching his food, he rarely has any problems and hasn't had to take Benadryl for I don't know how long. The food we switched to is California Natural because it is specially formulated for dogs with skin sensitivities. It has the least number of ingredients of any dog food with one protein, one fat and one carb and it's hypoallergenic. It might not be for everyone but it's worked wonders for Yukon.

http://www.naturapet.com/brands/california-natural.asp

weimdogmom · Posted: Thu Jun 19, 2008 4:28 pm Post subject:

Oh... and our vet always reminds us when they are on prednisone:
"Drink more. Pee more."

So if Chevy is having a problem with incontinence, this may be more of a problem.

Idaviruma · Posted: Thu Jun 19, 2008 5:07 pm Post subject:

Schatze-where in NC do you live?

weim2mom · Posted: Thu Jun 19, 2008 7:57 pm Post subject:

weim2mom · Posted: Fri Jun 20, 2008 8:58 pm Post subject:

So, the urinalysis came back perfectly normal. I am confused as to what could be causing this.

Like I said, it's kind of random, and she only does it while sleeping (on the couch), never on her bed or in her crate. She goes in spurts. One week, she can have 3 accidents, then no more for several weeks.

Any thoughts?