steroids for my daffy

[daffy2]

my little daffy has been on steroids for most of her 4 years. the reason being is she was inbred, and is so itchy and scratchy without. i cook her food daily .but is there something out there that could help me to help her, as i know it will ail her more as she gets older?

[daffy2]

thanx alot for your info i will check it out  lisa n daffy

[4Maddie44]

Advocate is a good spot on for dogs.  It tackles lots of problems, including allergies.  Look it up if you have not heard of it.  Vet gave it to my dog when he would not stop nibbling itchy skin.

[4Maddie44]

I found tea tree oil pet spray helped my dog when he had the itches.

[Misfits4Me]

        Here's a good article that Dr. Carol posted a few days ago.......

http://www.medhelp.org/user_journals/show/241363/People-Food-Good-for-Pets

[Misfits4Me]

Hi Daffy & welcome.....Home cooking is a great idea, but it needs to be done correctly. She may just be lacking in correct vitamins & minerals....She needs a good doggie vitamin that has calcium in it....The calcium amount is important because of the meat your feeding her.....

A good fish oil (Omega 3) supplement is also helpful....Helps with inflammation & dry, itchy skin.....

There is a world of info. about home cooking and vitamin supplementation on the web. Google something like: Homecooking for dogs.....Lots of things will come up...

Also, make sure you keep fleas & ticks under control...That could be part of the problem...

After a few months, maybe you can start weaning her off of the steroids....And give her an antihistamine as needed....They (The steroids) are quite dangerous, given longterm.....Good luck and let us know how things are going......Karla

[ginger899]

I'm so sorry because I don't know enough about the side effects of steroid use over long term, or the itching condition they are meant to treat. It doesn't sound like food allergy as you give her home cooked, and presumably no cheap dog food?
The best thing to help you here might be to ask one of the vets? You could post on the Expert Forum. If you go right to the top of the page here, "hover" on PETS (in the top bar) and then click on "Ask A Veterinarian" in the drop-down menu.

Or scroll right down the page, and on the right way down, you will see (under "Related Expert Forums" Animal Health General. Click on that and it should take you through to the expert forum.
Good luck. I hope a good solution is found for her.