A while back a couple of members mentioned some meds that were good for dog allergies and insect bites etc. my britts are constantly getting bitten up and developing scabs, several concentrated in certain areas. the vet says its allergies and puts them on keflex antibiotic, but their on it at least 1/2 the time.somethings gotta work better. I use the heartguard chew tabs and flea and tick liquid, missing link vitamin supplement, glucosamine condroitin and fish oil liquid allready. they are in the pool at least 10-12 x a day I'm sure the chlorine isn't helping. any sugestions?
I'm no vet but why is the vet giving you an antibiotic (used to treat against bacterial and fungal infections) for a diagnosed allergy? That's contradictory medicine....unless I am ignorant of all the Keflex uses....or it's been determined to be infectious dermatitis...in which case I would suggest a skin scrape and have them grow the bug up and do a sensitivity test to determine proper antibiotics....since the prescribed antibiotic doesn't seem to be working.
If it's just allergies, I've always heard of Benedryl being used.
Or if it's severe allergies, steroids might be in order. I would be hesitant to pursue this route if its an ongoing issue. Steroids do more harm than good in the long run.
I've also read that supplementing the diet with Omega-3 and -6 can prove beneficial in approx 20% of the dogs studied that were suffering from allergies.
If the vet is sure it's allergies, then you could have him run a allergy test just like they do on people and you might be able to determine the source and eliminate the cause of the symptoms. It doesn't sound like he's too sure it's allergies though...since he's using a "shotgun" antibiotic.
Allergy shots are also available for canines as well. Not sure of expense, probably not very reasonable.
Gold Bond medicated powder. I recommended it to my aunt for her dog, and it really does work. She was having to bath the dog with expensive prescription shampoo, giving the poor creature some oral meds prescribed by the vet, and none of it was working. First application, and it seems to have stopped the scratching and skin issues. It's been working since October, and I'm no doctor, but it's saving them some money on expensive shampoos and pills, and the dog hasn't seemed happier (and we're a lot happier that she's not "stinky" anymore).
Also, dogs, like people, can develop an allergy to foods (or an ingredient in the food, or even a newly added ingredient), even if they've been eating it since they were a puppy. It's not a common reason for allergies (~10%), and it's even more unlikely since you have multiple dogs experiencing the same issue....but it is an easy variable to test and/or eliminate from the equation. To test, feed a diet of one part protein source to two parts starch (potatoes or rice).
There is really no good long-term treatment for allergies....it's a constant battle.
Hopefully I don't think/find any more ideas so I don't have to keep posting a million times.
