Re: Here we go again Last and final temporary solution has been to bandage his paws up as he is not leaving them alone, he has managed to get the muzzle of twice in his desperation to get at them but now seems to have settled down with them being bandaged. Also run out of bandages so will have to get some more as he is likely to need them again tommorow.
Re: Here we go again Hi annabelle Have you tried neem oil on barley. I know you've tried most things so you probably have or looked into it. I was looking at it on CSJ website while I was ordering treats. Although it says it's for repelling fleas, ticks, flies it is also good for itchy, sore sensitive skin. I was thinking it might help stop barleys paws itching so much. Just a thought.
Re: Here we go again Would you consider the steroid tablets? They are likely to give him considerable relief within a day or two (they really helped Obi get through a bad patch and now we're back to normal antihistamines).
Re: Here we go again [quote author=Oberon link=topic=6425.msg85618#msg85618 date=1402004785] Would you consider the steroid tablets? They are likely to give him considerable relief within a day or two (they really helped Obi get through a bad patch and now we're back to normal antihistamines). [/quote] As long as there is no secondary infection, a short course of steroids is an excellent idea and likely to give him considerable relief. Although side effects are very likely to occur with the use of steroids, if the duration of treatment is less than 4 continuous months per year these side effects will all reverse on stopping medication. The most likely effects you would notice would be excessive hunger, thirst and urination initially. The really serious ones, including changes in calcium metabolism, diabetes, liver damage etc tend to occur with high doses for a prolonged time. Damping down the flames of a bad summer flare with steroids will probably allow you to to get back to antihistamines as noted above.
Re: Here we go again Poor Barley. And poor you, Annabelle. Think I would be pushing for a short course of steroids too. I know it can work wonders for allergic reactions in people...so much better than even double dosing antihistamines. Good luck.
Re: Here we go again Had a much better night last night, front feet bandages are still on and he has made no effort to remove them which is good as his front ones are the worst. Back feet however have been debandaged but minimal licking, steroid cream has stopped that for the moment. He did have the lampshade on last night which he did not mind that much. He is being very good at the moment, he spent most of yesterday afternoon and this morning on his bed. He has stopped licking his groin and it is started to look better already. He seems to have settled down now but if he another flare up he will go to the vets as it is not fair on him being lampshaded and bandaged when he is itchy. His eyes look better this morning as well.
Re: Here we go again Glad Barley is a bit better today. Rolo, my last Lab, had very itchy skin at times and a very low dose of steroid tablets e very so often controlled it and was much more effective than steroid cream. He had no side effects so do consider this as an option.
Re: Here we go again Glad barley was more comfortable last night annabelle. Hope he's been alright today and keeps improving.
Re: Here we go again had a bad today. trip to the vets on monday for steroid shot and get something to soothe is very sore paws. Nothing has worked o him, well most things have made him worse so at my wits end with him, i know its not his fault and he can't understand but i so wish he could, it would make life a lot easier and i would not have to spend all day following a dog dog around and stoppin him from cheing his paws and making them bleed Puzzle has been very good and has kept her distance from him, she must know that he is feeling unwell. He is on 3 4mg tablets 3 times a day and no difference has been made so back to the vet for a steroid shot to calm his skin down. As a good note his eyes are looking better. Had o help him to bed tonight as his front paw was so sore, got to get up early in he morning to help him out of bed and hope that no more damage happens overnight
Re: Here we go again Oh Annabelle....really sorry to hear this. Poor Barley. I hope you get to see the vet early on Monday and your poor boy gets relief quickly.
Re: Here we go again Yes, to the vet and get some steroid shots, sounds the best thing. I hope you get through tomorrow ok. Poor lad.
Re: Here we go again [quote author=drjs@5 link=topic=6425.msg86152#msg86152 date=1402178232] Oh Annabelle....really sorry to hear this. Poor Barley. I hope you get to see the vet early on Monday and your poor boy gets relief quickly. [/quote] i will ring them up as soon as they open and book him in as soon as me and mum are free as i have a morning exam, hoping for an early afternoon appointment, if they have none free i will be demanding an appointment as it is urgent and he needs to see a vet as soon as possible as he is sufering
Re: Here we go again Poor boy. Hope he feels better soon. My father in law used coal tar shampoo for his dog when her skin got bad. She got really itchy around the time of her seasons (even though she was spayed?!) and the coal tar helped enough for her to get some sleep at night.
Re: Here we go again You are such a kind and caring owner it must be awful for you. Poor dog. Any chance of a really early, before exam, appointment. You would both feel better.
Re: Here we go again Maybe chat with the vet about the merits of a course of tablets versus a steroid shot? Hope you are able to get an appointment quickly
Re: Here we go again Annabelle, if its any comfort to you , Millie had a steroid shot and it helped an awful lot, admittedly she isnt anywhere near as bad as Barley , but the shot is so worthwhile to see the relief . Millies shot has now worn off and she is a little itchy so I am popping in to get the reccommended course of tablets tomorrow , hoping he is much better after the injection , I`m sure he will be .
Re: Here we go again Annabelle? Are you feeding Barley RAW now or still on kibble? I was wondering if some of the herbal treatments and supplements could be involved in his itching (rather than helping it) I know too that some kibble can be quite variable in its constitution, even though it is labelled the same, usual brand etc. Just a thought Hope he gets his steroids ASAP.
Re: Here we go again He is still on kibble at the moment with the aim that once he has finished what he has to move him onto at least a semi-raw diet as we would need a bigger freezer to put him and puzzle on raw full time. Currently his only supplements are: Cod liver oil Billy no mates kelp powder Glucosamine joint tablet salmon oil and 9 piriton a day The kelp powder is going to be replaced with Dorwest easy green powder when it arrives as that is more aimed at skin conditions. We are going to discuss with the vet about what other stuff we can try him on to see what makes a difference. We rang up today and got him booked in for tommorow ( forgot they opened on sundays) we requested to see our favourite vet the only one i have full trust in at the practice and he is very nice , but this does mean his appointment is in the evening when he is there and dad is here, but it means we get to spend more time talking to him as we are the last appointment of the day which is an added bonus, plus a virtually empty waiting room
Re: Here we go again I know this is a long shot, Annabelle, but could he be getting too much of very similar things?? An excess of Vitamin A can cause skin irritation and itching (along with liver problems) and I think that as well as high levels of vitamin A in the cod-liver oil, there is also plenty in the salmon oil and the kelp. Nd there is likely some in his food. I use the omega-3 fish oil capsules, and toyed with the idea of the salmon oil, but would not use both together. May be worth checking with your vet. :-\
