Springer Spaniel with Allergies

by Brad
(US)

Hi - I adopted a Springer Spaniel at age 5 and struggle with his seasonal allergies.

Beginning in late April, he has weeping eyes, his guard hairs fall out. He also licks his paws much more during this period which ends in October.

I'm looking for suggestions to block the symptoms as the vets don't seem to be able to help me. Benadryl seems to help his eyes but does nothing for his hair loss.
Thank you!
Brad

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Springer Spaniel with Allergies

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Jun 28, 2011
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Allergies
by: Estie

We had the same thing with our Sammy one summer - the summer we adopted him. He lost his total undercoat and broke out with these little red pimples/blisters. I was so confused with all the advice I got and found in the internet, so we did the benedryl, and I think he took a few antibiotics. I would bath him (swab with a wet cloth) cool water and oatmeal shampoo. He got over it, and it took about 4 months for his coat to grow back. Vets couldn't figure it out, either!

Jun 28, 2011
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Allergies
by: Michele

Hi Brad -

I have the same allergy problem with one of my Springers, which started at about 3 years of age. I have tried many different things and it doesn't seem as if any one particular thing stops the scratching, but several things together do help.

First, make sure you are using a good brand name dog food. A dog food you can buy at the grocery store is not the food you want. You can search the internet for reviews on food. You want one that does not contain dyes or additives. Or you can make your own, which many people swear by, but is time consuming.

Wheat germ - I give my Springers one tablespoon of wheat germ with their morning meal. You can buy it at the grocery store.

Fish Oil - 2 tablespoons in one meal. You can buy at a health food store or your Vet likely sells in a capsule form.

Oatmeal shampoo - I take oatmeal shampoo to the groomer so she'll bathe my Springer with it.

Benadryl - I also use benadryl, but only during the actual scratching / biting time. I'm not sure how much it really helps and suspect it makes me feel better than the dog!

You can also visit your Vet for medications. Prednisone is a popular one and does help a lot. My Springer cannot take it because it causes her to urinate constantly (excessive thirst & urination are a side effect), but it also causes her to become surly and aggressive. Most dogs take it with no problem.

I don't know of anything that completely stops allergies in dogs. If someone else does I hope they'll share it! But all of the things I've mentioned above do seem to help. Good luck - it's a battle, I know.

Jun 27, 2011
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springer allergies
by: Anonymous

My Springer had the allergies you memtioned too. She was put on predisone for the itching. Some times when it was a bad hot spot she would lick till she bled. I did put neosporin on it and bandaged it for the night and gave her some benedryl for the day. When she was really bad we would up the predisone on Dr.s orders. Also put her on some special dog food with no colors and all natural. That helped her too. Make sure that you do not spray carpets with things that make carpet smell better too, they can bother dog too. All these things helped my Millie quite a bit. I remember all the licking, I think it drove us just as crazy as it did her. Good luck!

Jun 27, 2011
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Allergy
by: Carole

http://www.theneemteam.co.uk/acatalog/Neem_for_Pets.html?kw=sweet%20itch&fl=295139&ci=432356619&network=s&gclid=CMyXrI_y1qkCFUEa4Qodw2LfFQ

Link for a possible solution for the loss of hair due to allergy xx

Jun 27, 2011
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dog allergies
by: Anonymous

THE PAW LICKING COULD BE GRASS/POLLEN RELATED SOMETIMES LITTLE AMOUNTS OF DEBRIS GATHER DEEP BETWEEN THE DOGS PAD THIS COULD ALSO BE A SOURCE OF IRRITATION.A HUMAN ANTIBIOTIC CETAPHELEXIN9spelling may not be correct) i think it's also called keflex
helps skin allergies but be very careful prolonged use can harm the dog always check with the vet

Jun 27, 2011
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Try Piriton
by: Anonymous

Not sure about the hair loss but half a piriton stops the itching (that may be caused by the amount of nettles just now)

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