Buddy advice please!

[Buddy'sParents]

So, we've made the decision to put Buddy back on a normal diet and start him on one of the four allergy med remedies;

1. Antihistamines
2. combo drug shot of coritsone and antihistamines
3. cortisone shots
4. and a pill that is pretty pricey, this is what doberkim said about it,

the 4th option is very expensive- the drug is cyclosporine, brand name is atopica. much less side effects than cortisone/prednisone, but the cost is pretty hefty. some dogs have very good results, but the cost can be a big detractor - most of my clients opt to try allergy shots before they go for this, due to cost.

We've tried a couple different antihistamines, so I'm not sure this is really worth the effort. We've had Buddy on cortisone and I'd rather not venture back there because it has such horrible side effects.

So, unless there's a miracle antihistamine out there, we're down to the combo drug shot (which does not have a significant amount of cortisone, I've heard, to have the side effects that coristone has) or the cyclosporine.

I'd like some objective opinions, please.

 

[Zoom]

I haven't given it directly to these guys but some of the boarding dogs were on Atopica...it seems to be working pretty well for them, but yeah, it's stupid pricey. Did you get that yeast test done yet?

If you can afford it, I'd at least try the Atopica

 

[Renee750il]

I'm all for avoiding antihistamines and cortisone, Nikki.

 

[showpug]

Have you dealt with a dog on cortisone before? It can be quite hard to deal with. I honestly don't know what's worse, the allergies or the panting, excessive thirst, excessive hunger and personality change from cortisone treatment. I absolutely can't stand the cortisone side effects, but then again, I don't know how bad his allergies are. Tough choice, but I would opt for cyclosporine.

 

[Buddy'sParents]

No, I won't do the full cortisone shots. Never again. I may consider the combo shot, though.

 

[jess2416]

I dont have any advice, but I hope that you get something figured out soon... ((hugs))

Did you get that yeast test done yet?

What she said ^^ ??

 

[Buddy'sParents]

No, no yeast tests.

 

[Renee750il]

Yah. Cortisone is a killer. Literally. A drug of last resort

 

[Vivien]

I would give him shark liver oil caplets. They can cure cancer,allergies, they prevent people from getting sick... my dad was telling me about them. Since I've started taking them I've never been sick,, you could give it a shot and the best thing is that there is no harm.

 

[OutlineACDs]

Atopica suppresses the immune system. If Buddy has had problems with demdectic mange in the past then he already has a compromised immune system. I would suggest really doing some research on the drug first.

I had a dog on atopica before, her immune system is fine, it just wasn't really cost-effective for us. $100/month and the dog was still itchy on occasion. I have been able to control her allergies just as well with good diet, fish oil, and benadryl on occasion.

 

[Herschel]

I was thinking about Buddy a few days ago and everything that you've gone through with him. As an absolutely last resort (but before the heavy medication), have you considered a vegetarian diet + fish oil?

Did you ever find anything that causes his allergies or that he isn't allergic to?

 

[Buddy'sParents]

We know about his environmental allergies from the testing. I've actually not considered a vegetarian diet.

We did two rounds of elimination diets and neither showed any improvement.

I'm really just lost, here. I'd rather NOT do heavy medications, of course. But I do want him to be happy and healthy. He constantly licks and bites... he's raw and miserable. It was suggested we start him on raw diet with goat, but we just seem to be moving on to more things that are barely within our reach.

We have an appointment with our vet in a couple hours. I'm writing down a list of questions and tests that I want done. I'm so sick and tired of my dog being sick and no one being able to help him. I feel like I'm failing him and it's not a good feeling.

 

[jess2416]

I thought we did talk about the vegetarian diet...

No, no yeast tests.

I thought that from that checklist that he has a lot of the symptoms of it being yeast..??

Anyhoo, hope you get good news...

 

[Buddy'sParents]

Well, we've talked about it and I've read about it and I've thought about trying it, but I'm not actually considering it for Buddy yet. I really worry about a vegetarian diet being enough nutrient wise for any dog, much less a dog with a significant health background.

Buddy DOES have a yeast infection, it could be from systemic yeast infection or it could be secondary to his allergies, which is what everyone is trying to tell me. This is why I'm in a tough spot.

I have a list of tests that I want done and I've formulated a list of supplements to run by Mordy and to do some extra research on.

I get the feeling that many of you feel like this is really cut and dry, "why doesn't she just do this" and it's not at all. We've been dealing with this for a couple years now and everything we've tried thus far as failed. I can't just go out and try random things, Buddy is a living being, I've got to keep him in mind, which is why I want all of this to just stop. Everyone sees him happy in pictures chasing a ball, that's probably about the only time he doesn't stop to lick/chew/bite, etc..

I thank everyone for the support and the suggestions, but please don't judge until you've walked even a few steps in my shoes or Buddy's paws.

 

[anna84]

No judgment here, no reccomendation either since I don't know enough about allergies and dogs. But wishing you lots of luck, I'm sure your doing your best and hopefully it'll workout for Buddy

 

[jess2416]

nvr mind...

I really really hope that you get this figured out

 

[OutlineACDs]

Allergies are very tough to deal with. The dog in my previous post is 11 years old. She's been suffering from allergies since she was about 2. I finally got the upperhand these past 3-4 years. She has seasonal allergies though, so I will never have it completely under control grass/pollen season is still tough. Good luck with Buddy.

 

[noludoru]

BP... I don't have any suggestions (as usual) but I really hope your vet visit goes well and you get things sorted out.

 

[Jules]

I have read some good things about atopica... but other than that, I am no help... I am sorry

I don't think anyone in their right mind is trying to judge you... I just think that we are scramming for any ideas that somehow possibly could help, because we all just want sweet Buddy to be happy and dandy! I can see though how frustrating and helpless you feel... ((((((((((HUGS))))))))))) to you, Mit, and Buddy!!

 

[Buddy'sParents]

Well, we had a really good visit with the vet. After some head scratching (the vet, I mean ) and batting some ideas back and forth he AGREED to the testing. He ALSO agreed that it could very well be a systemic issue. Soooo, we wait for the test results and we go from there.

I also want to say.. perhaps "judging" wasn't the right word. I feel that so often people think, "why don't they just do this" when it's not as cut and dry and really frustrating for us. We've been trying so many things and none of them have worked, and it's like buddy is some kind of test dog, when he's not, he's a member of our family that just isn't well.. and this wears down on our hearts. I hope everyone understands that aspect.