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susie j asked in PetsDogs · 1 decade ago

Allergy meds for dogs?

Does anyone know any natural allergy meds for dogs that really work? My German Shepard has allergies to something and we don't know what. We're doing the elimination thing to try and figure it out. The allergy test is way too expensive! So far she has no relief from anything, something natural that wouldn't have side effects that the meds do would really be great. Thanks for any help

Update:

It's not seasonal, I brought her home last January and it has been the same ever since

Update 2:

I have had her at the vet several times and I already have her on hyperallergenic food, I don't want to put her on allergy meds if I don't have to, they have bad side effects

Update 3:

Fish, I'm not saying antihistamines have side effects. I'm talking about the meds like steroids and such that the vet wants to put her on. No, I am not getting her food at the vet. I'm feeding her Blue from the pet store. I am asking about natural treatments because I don't know, I've been told there are some. Thanks for your input but i don't need any more smart ellic answers

6 Answers

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  • Cheryl
    Lv 7
    1 decade ago
    Favorite Answer

    antihistamines do not have bad side effects so what are you talking about ... do you know how many dogs suffer from allergies, more than you can even comprehend ... if there were "natural" cures do you not think they would be available ... having worked for an allergist for many years, i can assure you, we all chuckle at the people who want to try naturopaths first, only to see the patient again for real medication ... and please, please, please tell me you are not using food from the vet for the elimination diet ... my vet recommended science diet zd and my dog was SIGNIFICANTLY worse ... and elimination diets can be a challenge, hopefully your dog is on a unique protein source with minimal ingredients and not a bite of anything else otherwise the the three months starts fresh after the bite of food that was not part of the diet, otherwise, the diet is not effective ... and don't even bother with the dog allergist ... i brought my dog for consult and testing which was 700 dollars and she received shots for a year and it did nothing ... but do consider antihistamines ... whatever your dog is allergic to is causing a release of histamines and the dog needs antihistamines to control the symptoms ... your vet can probably give you the names of a few and the dosage for your dog over the phone ... but you are mistaken that antihistamines have negative side effects (if you are referring to steroids, that is a completely different set of drugs and they do have more serious side effects)

  • Anonymous
    1 decade ago

    If money is more important to you than relieving your pet's problems, your unfortunate pet is going to suffer for a LONG time.

    Allergies are, in simple terms, the result of of something poisoning the sufferer, and overwhelming its immune system's resources. Think: Which is better: To quickly eliminate the source of the poison, or to keep drip-feeding the antidote ("allergy meds") to the poison? And which, ultimately, COSTS more in MONEY as well as in time & suffering?

    First suspect for an allergy is the food - especially if you are feeding kibble-mucks.

    The least allergenic food is considered to be raw kangaroo meat, but most wild eaters of grasses are good when raw - deer, hares, rabbits. Try some raw fish as well - but without those needles.

    Chicken is rumoured to be the MOST allergenic of meats, except perhaps for farm pork, so if you are feeding her either, stop it NOW.

    Pancreatic problems can imitate allergy symptoms, especially the itching that DEMANDS to be chewed and REQUIRES steroids to relieve that creepy-crawlies-under-the-skin feeling. Have you had her tested for pancreatic enzymes? For thyroid levels? (the two have a close relationship)

    And neither "German Shepards" nor "arding" exists. My breed was developed to HERD sheep in the German boundary patrolling way, so its real name translates as German Shepherd Dog.

    ◙ Add http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/The_GSD_Source to your browser's Bookmarks or Favorites so that you can easily look up such as rescue groups, feeding, vaccinations, worming, clubs, weights, teething, neutering, disorders, genetics.

    ◙ To ask about GSDs, join some of the 400+ YahooGroups dedicated to various aspects of living with them. Each group's Home page tells you which aspects they like to discuss, and how active they are. Unlike YA, they are set up so that you can have an ongoing discussion with follow-up questions for clarification. Most allow you to include photos in your messages.

    Les P, owner of GSD_Friendly: http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/GSD_Friendly

    "In GSDs" as of 1967

  • 1 decade ago

    My dog has seasonal allergies, we never did an allergy test, the vet told us to give him 15ml of benadryle (the same kind for humans). One of the signs of irritation besides scratching is biting his paws so when ever I see that I give him some. The only side effect is that they can get a little drowsy but that doesn't affect my dog, also they shouldn't operate any heavy machinery. :)

  • Anonymous
    1 decade ago

    There have been problems lately with the flea medications that are put on dogs backs that are causing serious problems. It causes pacing and restlessness in my dog so we had to stop using it. I had another dog that was allergic to flea bites (they caused nasty yeast infections in his ear). You may have to shell out money for a higher end food that has no soy, wheat, or corn. (You may be able to add some brown rice to offset the cost)

    Cannot help with the medication, I would talk to a vet about the options of OTC meds to use on dogs.

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  • Anonymous
    1 decade ago

    Is it seasonal? This is important. We noticed our GSD would have what we thought was an allergic response, BUT what it turned out to be when autumn came around and we started running out heat his coat was drying out due to a decrease in humidity!

    Get a hydrometer (cheap) and get a humidity rating, if you're below 55% your gonna have to buy a humidifier (that worked for us).

    best of luck

  • Anonymous
    4 years ago

    i might verify with the vet first. I gave my canines benadryl, yet i don't undergo in concepts the quantities and too lots could be deadly. I in common terms point out it to coach that definite a canines can take some meds.

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