Fake winter is over. We had about two inches of snow that lasted all of one hour before it melted. Whatever. Now it’s time for fake spring, where it goes from cold to burning hot in a matter of nanoseconds. The trees bloom so fast they have no other option but to blanket the area with allergens.
When I rescued Melvin he came with a sheet of paper from his allergy testing. It listed out everything in the environment that he was allergic to. It was very specific. The type of tree leaves, the various grasses, the range of mosses and other plants. I’m not sure why they expected me to do with the list – I mean if we walk down a sidewalk and he wanders into a patch of grass, I’m not going to be able to tell if that is one of the forty grasses he is allergic to or not. He is pretty much allergic to it all.
Melvin spent this weekend with a paw in his mouth, gnawing away. I call this ‘gnaw-paw’ season. We’ll get though it (with the help of some baby wipes, baths, and lifestyle changes). And not to be outdone, Jake opened his eyes to fake Spring on Saturday and they were bloodshot. My first thought was ‘wild Friday night?’ but the vet confirmed it, googly-eyes has allergies also.
Can I put my paw back in my mouth now?
My eyes are as red as my drumstick.
Let’s roll around in this and get real itchy.
Yup, sounds familiar! I hope he starts to feel better soon. 🙂
We should start a support group!!!
=( I hope the fake spring doesn’t last too long! This is Athena’s first spring with us, and I’m thinkin’ she’s already experiencing some allergies because she’s been scratching (and paw licking) like a mad woman. We really should do an allergy test for her in the near future because we think she may also be experiencing some food allergies…….like we just realized she’s allergic to white potatoes.
You are not alone, reach out anytime! Melvin is allergic to more things than he is not allergic to but somehow he manages to enjoy life to the fullest!
Allergies suck, be they dog or human. Benadryl can help a lot. I do notice that Koira has had less problems with allergies since switching to a raw diet, so I definitely believe that a good healthy diet helps the immune system stop freaking out so much. Hopefully the stupid spring allergies don’t last too long.
I am hoping Melvin’s switch to raw helps!!! You are giving me hope!!
Oh you poor thing. Two dogs with allergies. Glad you have something of a sense of humour with it – love the “gnaw paw” season – very clever.
It helps if love is funny!
Poor guys, I feel so bad for them. Boomer and Dottie have allergies, mostly head shaking, sneezing, runny nose stuff though. Through our vet we’ve found out that different allergy meds work differently for different dogs, so while Benedryl might work for one Claritin might work for another. We have a whole list of what doses to try the pups on. Luckily we haven’t had to start using them just yet.
Me on the other hand? I’m miserable right now, the wind certainly doesn’t help so I’m self medicating already!
Ugh — human allergies are worse because you know the culprit and are not as easily distracted by a Kong!!!
Well… sometimes chocolate works! 🙂
Since we took Maggie off kibble, her allergies have been well under control. She was on Dry Derma Relief (chinese herbs for allergy relief/coat health – you can get them on amazon) for the last 60 days since we made the change. She’s not as bad as your guys (yeasty ears and excessive itchiness but rarely rashy skin and never hotspots) but it was going that route if I didn’t intervene. I highly recommend seeing a holistic vet (if you haven’t already). I know a ton about allergy relief but the vet clued me in to some things that I’d never considered – like the hot/warm qualities of certain foods. We kept her off any hot foods (chicken, lamb, venison) and only fed her neutral or cooling foods (fish, beef, duck, rabbit). It was most refreshing to see a vet who viewed steroids as a last resort and not the standard go-to solution. The end result is a Maggie who is much more comfortable than I’ve seen in years. A (mostly) raw diet and the right herbal & immune support really can make a world of difference!
I love, love, love hearing your stories of success! I seriously cannot get enough, it gives me so much hope!!!!! Thank you!!!!
We don’t have to many issues on this end. Ed has all the food sensitivities and Tess has seasonal allergies. But all she gets are a pair of red, bloodshot eyes that make everyone say “what’s wrong with your dog?” I don’t think people realize they can have allergies, too!
hahahahahhaha! Totally! I am pretty sure people think Jake has a drug problem with how red his eyes are!
Proof positive that Jake was meant for your pack. Sorry they are so itchy… but glad they have a mama who takes care to make them as comfortable as possible. 🙂
I can’t wait for them to sleep in your room and keep you up all night!!!
Ughhhhhhh!!!! Poor Trev’s allergies seem to get worse every year…I mean being a dog and being allergic to grass…it’s just wrong…BOO!!!! I’m sure Jake looks up at people and says, “And you think you have problems”!!!! Bless you and yours…Allergies just suck !!!
What is the fake winter you speak of. It’s still snowing here…
Stop on by for a visit
Kari
http://dogisgodinreverse.com/