Doggie hayfever?

[sisterpine]

My dog Grace (Bichon Frise) who is pretty low to the ground, seems to always have an itchy nose and is snuffling- I am wondering if she has some allergy and has something like post nasal drip or something. Am thinking I should make an appt for her to see Dr. Mary but dont want the Doc to think I am nuts?

I know that dogs express allergies differently than we humans so. She is also a foot licker/biter and we have tried benedryl in the recent past with no improvement. Any ideas?

[Brighton]

Yes, dogs can have seasonal or even year around allergies, just like humans!

My dog and I have both had a drippy nose, itchy eyes and sneezing for the last week, just like every other Fall for the last 5 years.

[CAjerseychick]

mine were bigger/ taller dogs-- they would get itchy feet and lick alot and give themselves a yeast infection in their foot pads-- even itchier-- one time they got so bad my one dog's feet swelled up like oranges-- Vet can give an injection of cortisone if it is bad like this (quick relief of inflammation and swelling) and also give you a script for prednisone-- but steriods have side effects and are mainly reserved for severe situations like the above..
The yeast will need treatment too.
For an indoor / outdoor dog like yours, you can just try to avoid the allergy triggers and see if keeping her indoors during high pollen counts helps.
When we lived in the city we spent Big Bucks going to a canine allergist and having our 2nd allergy dog (different breed) tested-- and it was worth it!!!!!
We knew what to avoid and he lived a medication free long life-- til 11 which is good for a Boxer! (he was allergic to all poultry, tomatoe, lamb and certain tree/grass pollens, as well as our wool rugs which was really triggering him-- we got rid of the rugs, and fed him brown rice and venison/bison or beef dog foods -- he was fine)...

[PrincessFerf]

I have a Bichon / Shih Tzu mix who suffers from August through September each year with seasonal allergies. Your vet will not think you're nuts, dogs can definitely get seasonal allergies. We treat him with over-the-counter anti-histamine and when it gets really bad he will also get a steroid (for a short period of time).

This year he also had to wear a cone to keep from scratching his eyes because he was scratching up the skin on his face badly. We will wash his feet more often and when he's feeling miserable I will apply a cold, wet washcloth to his eyes, he seems to like that.

I feel for the little guy.

We also have his brother (from the same litter) who has no allergy issues at all.

[sisterpine]

I think I will make them an appointment with the Doc instead of this months haircut. I don't like to see them suffer if it can be helped.

[Brighton]

Originally Posted by sisterpine

I think I will make them an appointment with the Doc instead of this months haircut. I don't like to see them suffer if it can be helped.

Or you could just get some Benedryl, if it is a tiny dog, give it half or even a quarter. Wash eyes when needed (for goop and such) and wash feet when coming in from outside.

[sisterpine]

Ya we tried the benedryl before without any noticeable results...we will try it again though, she is 20 pounds, and takes 25 mg per doc.