Seasonal Allergies & Itching
Question:
Our 6 year old German Shepherd mix, Bailey, has allergies. Every summer
from July through September or October he goes crazy! He licks his front legs
and gets hot spots on his hind legs that he licks until they are raw and hairless,
(not very appealing on a dog). He also scratches at his mouth until his gums
swell up and sometimes bleed. Bailey also tends to throw up easily during
these months. Our veterinarian did allergy tests and he tested positive for
various grasses, weeds, trees and foods. We put him on a prescription diet
of fish and potatoes from the veterinarian, but last summer he was as bad as ever
- we had to put him in an Elizabethan collar to keep him from scratching himself
so badly. Are there any natural remedies or supplements that could help poor
Bailey be more comfortable this summer?
The Hawkins
Boulder, CO
Answer:
Dear Hawkins Family,
Yes, there are some things you can do to help Bailey with his seasonal allergies.
Without more specifics of Bailey’s history (i.e., onset of problem, medication used
& response to medication, possibility of over-vaccination, etc. – please see
The Truth About Pet Vaccinations in our Articles section), I can only
give a somewhat general treatment plan.
Seasonal allergies are usually inhalant or flea allergies. Food allergies are
usually not seasonal and blood tests are poor indicators of food allergy. Food,
however, is where you need to start.
- Diet Change: Slowly introduce real food to his diet
-- homemade or frozen raw food. Diet is the foundation of good health and this
is the most important thing you can do for him. Many dogs with seasonal allergies
have seen dramatic improvement on a real food diet. Avoid any grains he was
found to be allergic to just to be safe. Try different types of meats, even
those that he tested allergic to, and then avoid any that seem to aggravate
his condition. Start by going completely with real food for a month or so, then
reintroduce high quality dry kibble, freeze-dried, or dehydrated food as a portion
of the diet if desired. Please see "What
You Need to Know About Your Pet's Food" in our Articles section.
- Essential Fatty Acids: The best source is from fish
oil. Omega-3 fatty acids decrease inflammation and help immune function. I always
recommend
Salmon Oil.
- Vitamin E: Compounds the benefits as the fish oil,
and is a good antioxidant. 400 IU per day. You can use the Vitamin E that you
would buy for yourself at a reputable vitamin and supplement store.
- Digestive Enzymes & Probiotics: Use these during
the transition to real food and consider continuing for several months while
Bailey’s gut heals and adjust. Always use Digestive Enzymes when feeding processed
food (canned, dry, dehydrated, etc). Please see our
Digestive Enzymes and
Probiotics.
- Immune Modulation with Plant Sterols: Aids in proper
functioning of the immune system while dampening overactive antibody responses
such as allergic reactions. See our
Immune Balance.
- Chinese Herbs: In Traditional Chinese Medical terms
Bailey is suffering from wind (itching), heat (redness), damp (oozing) and blood
deficiency (dryness, poor coat) problems. Try an herbal remedy to support Bailey’s
system through the healing process -
Skin Balance from Health Concerns is an excellent choice.
- Oatmeal Shampoo: During Bailey’s worst months you
may need to bathe him frequently to remove allergens from his skin and coat.
Use an oatmeal shampoo that soothes the skin. Good options are
Head to Tail Aloe Oatmeal Shampoo or
SheaPet Oatmeal Shampoo.
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