Allergies

My dog was allergy tested last month and is allergic to dust and storage mites.  She will be receiving expensive injections from now on.  Is there anything else that can be done for her skin as she has a terrible odor after 2 days.  I would like to try something else rather than give her the injections.

[Aleda M Cheng, D.V.M., C.V.A]

She probably has Malassezia yeast and bacterial skin infections due to the atopy.  Eventually, the injections will help, but it takes several months or longer before they do.

You can bathe her twice weekly with Malaseb shampoo (or equivalent), which has anti-fungal and antibacterial properties.

The following medications and supplements will help allergic skin disease:

Omega 3 Fatty Acids, long term use.
Atopica, for long term use, must be given at least one month before it becomes effective.
Prednisone, to be used until the Atopica becomes effective.
Ketoconazole, which is antifungal and works synergistically with Atopica
Simplicef or Cephalexin, for secondary bacterial skin infections
Revolution topical, for secondary scabies, if suspected.
Grain-Free canned or home-made diet, such as fish and potato

Holistic Chinese Herbal Medicine and Western herbals may also help.