Beyond Severe pet allergies.

[tiggushek1]

Hi, My 3 year old Boston terrier/Beagle mix is severly allergic to everything. I have been trying for over a year already to find something that will atleast help stop the itching. He has been on Anthihistamines such as benadryl already, which have absolutely no effect. I have also tried steriod such as predinisone, which works but not completely he still occasionally itches and after a month they just stop working. I have tried bath medications even Omega 3 tablets, changing his diet and nothing seems to work.
I finally had him tested for his allergies and it revealed that he is allergic to 34 different things. He is currently on Immunotherapy (allergy shots) and I am almost half way done and instead of getting better he is getting worse.
He just sits and scratches and bites himself so hard that it is painful to watch. He has sores from head to toe and overwhelming hairloss.
Please help, I feel like I'm running out of option, and I just can't watch him suffer anymore

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

Skin issues are so complex that it usually takes a combination of many medications and protocols simultaneously to achieve results.  The primary allergen and the results or damage to the skin of that allergen as well as secondary invaders must all be treated together or effective treatment will fail.

Immunotherapy can sometimes take a year to a year and a half before some relief is noted.  

We have been seeing allergies to the infections of the skin and to normal skin flora, such as skin Staph and skin yeasts in patients where the traditional atopy regimens have failed.  Some laboratories can develop immunotherapies for  particular patients using their own skin inhabitants but it can still take a long time to produce results.

Then there are the other complicating factors.  I have already listed one complicating factor, which is an allergy to skin inhabitants.  Other complicating factors including thyroid disease, other endocrine disorders, T-Cell deficiencies which can result in the inability of the body to eliminate Demodex mites, and ectoparasite infestation and allergies to those ectoparasites.

It sounds as if your dog has been on many of the recommended treatments but perhaps these have failed because he was not on them simultaneously.

You should continue with immunotherapy and I recommend doing the following:

1.  Use Revolution topical once every 2 weeks for 2 months to eliminate Scabies mites and Fleas.
2.  After a culture and skin sensitivity use an appropriate antibiotic for 6 weeks to 2 months.
3.  Give fish oils, or other form of Omega 3 Fatty acids at double doses twice daily.
4.  Use Prednisone in a gradually tapering dose for one month.
5.  Use Atopica once per day while your dog is on prednisone, than begin decreasing to every other day once prednisone is finished, long term.
6.  Use Ketoconazole with the Atopica long term.
7.  Bathe your dog with Malaseb shampoo 2 times per week for several months.
8.  Have your dog tested for Thyroid disease and other endocrine disorders.  If it turns out that your dog has endocrine disorders, treat for them.
9.  Have multiple skin scrapings performed on your dog's skin.  If it turns out that your dog has Demodex Mites than treat for them.
10.  Consider a doggie tranquilizer if the itching cannot be eliminated at first.  The tranquilizer can usually be eliminated later in the course of therapy once the other medications begin to become effective.
11.  Treat the ears if they are also affected.
12.  Consider a novel protein diet with absolutely no cheating for 2 months, or until the Atopica kicks in.

Atopica medication also treats food allergies!

When all else fails try seeking help from a holistic vet.  There are also many Chinese Veterinary Herbal Remedies that are very effective for skin disease.

[tiggushek1]

Thank you, I was beginning to lose hope but some of your ideas have never even been offered to me. I am going to print this out and hand over this information to my veterinarian as soon as possible.
However, I still do have a question; Prednisone can be used while my dog is on the allergy shots? Because for some reason I was told that pills decrease the effectiveness of the allergy shots and this whole time my dog has been on the shots without any sort of medication.
Also, I live in Chicago, Illinois and I was wondering if you know or have any referrals to good veterinarians?
Thankyou so much for your time, I appreciate it greatly.