Need some help/suggestions

[Charlie'sMom]

Hi! I used to be active on here, but kind of fell off a few years ago when we had kids, but we are having an issue now that I need some suggestions. We have a senior Newf (10 years) who all of a sudden started getting an eczema like skin reaction along with goopy eyes and ears. The vet thought allergies, meds for that were ineffective. We have tried topical treatments but as soon as we stop them it all comes back and is turning into a very expensive merry go round. They are pushing the prescription skin and coat food but its full of crap/fillers and we know our guy is wheat sensitive. Any other suggestions? We are talking prednisone now ...

 

[Jeannie]

My Samantha had to be on pred for allergies. I was very hesitant because I heard so many bad things. It was our only option because it was the only thing that gave her relief. I decided it may shorten her life but at least she would have better quality of life. She was about 5 years old when she started taking it. She lived to be 14 years, 2 months and 3 weeks. I did keep her on the lowest possible dose.

 

[BLCOLE]

My Samantha had to be on pred for allergies. I was very hesitant because I heard so many bad things. It was our only option because it was the only thing that gave her relief. I decided it may shorten her life but at least she would have better quality of life. She was about 5 years old when she started taking it. She lived to be 14 years, 2 months and 3 weeks. I did keep her on the lowest possible dose.

We need a "like" button. I really like this post. Maybe a good suggestion for GAD?

 

[Charlie'sMom]

My Samantha had to be on pred for allergies. I was very hesitant because I heard so many bad things. It was our only option because it was the only thing that gave her relief. I decided it may shorten her life but at least she would have better quality of life. She was about 5 years old when she started taking it. She lived to be 14 years, 2 months and 3 weeks. I did keep her on the lowest possible dose.

That's good to hear! I have been hesitant after reading up on the side effects (aggression, frequent urination etc) as well as the shortened lifespan issue, but really, he is turning 11 next week so he has done well thus far. I just want him to be comfortable!

 

[victoria1140]

Personally l would rather they were comfortable and it may be seasonal as well .

Hope it works

 

[Jeannie]

That's good to hear! I have been hesitant after reading up on the side effects (aggression, frequent urination etc) as well as the shortened lifespan issue, but really, he is turning 11 next week so he has done well thus far. I just want him to be comfortable!

I would not hesitate to put an 11 yr old on pred. Samantha had some side effects - hunger and frequent urination - but the subsided in about a month to 6 weeks.

 

[Charlie'sMom]

Personally l would rather they were comfortable and it may be seasonal as well .

Hope it works

I was hoping it was seasonal at first but we have been battling this for over 6 months now with no sign of it relenting

 

[Charlie'sMom]

I have had some suggestions to pursue thyroid testing - but I hesitate to delay starting prednisone while we wait for blood panel results ... I have heard of coat and skin issues from hypothyroidism but do the ears and eyes fit?

 

[Jeannie]

I had a newfs that had allergies and some with thyroid. The ones with thyroid never had ear or eye problems. Skin and coat are the most common for thyroid. Gooey eyes, ear infections and itching are common signs of allergies. BTW my vet always told me (and it seemed right to me) that if a dog has ear or anal gland (ear and rear) problems it is usually a food allergy. Eyes and itching is environmental. Have you tried Apoquel? It seems to work wonders on my Chase for her allergies with no side effects. She was itching and her ears were always a problem. Within 2 hours of taking her first dose she was not itching. It also has cleared up her ears. Like Samantha, she was taking pred but Apoquel is much better. It is expensive but well worth it. I pay $1.70 per pill. Right now she only has to take 1 per day, sometime 1/2 per day. Starting out she was taking 3 per day for about 10 days. Then I weaned her down to the lowest effective dose for her.

 

[Charlie'sMom]

After a LONG talk with the vet we are trialling Vanectyl-P, so a low dose prednisolone with an anti-histamine. Technically it is supposed to be a short term med but at his age she feels comfortable keeping him on a maintenance dose for life. Fingers crossed it works.

 

[Bailey Boy]

I am keeping my fingers and toes crossed the meds work for Charlie and he starts seeing some relief soon.

 

[NinaA]

I have heard a lot of good things about apoquel. I'd certainly consider it, as it's supposed to have minimal side effects.

 

[Charlie'sMom]

The Vanectyl-P worked well and we found a good maintenance dose of 1/2 what we started him in. No side effects at all that we have noticed!

 

[Angela]

That's great.