Ask the Vet About Allergies in Dogs and Cats
As a practicing veterinarian, Dr. Dym has over 19 years of experience and dedication to enhancing the overall health and well-being of pets. His commitment and passion for pet health continuously drives him to learn more about the art and science of homeopathy through ongoing training and education.
Submit Your Question
Question:What can I put on her to stop itch and let scabs heal. Can't get appointment with our vet for a month. Help. Poor thing is miserable.
Answer:There are many things that cause itching (allergies, mange, ringworm, etc) and most are treated differently so have your veterinarian run some quick tests and make a diagnosis. Since allergies are the most common, here is a link to our article about various treatments for allergies, both over-the-counter and prescription: https://www.1800petmeds.com/education/allergy-treatment-dog-cat-9.htm
Question:How can help stop scratching
Answer:There are many things that cause scratching (allergies, mange, ringworm, etc) and most are treated differently so have your veterinarian run some quick tests and make a diagnosis. Since allergies are the most common, here is a link to our article about various treatments for allergies, both over-the-counter and prescription: https://www.1800petmeds.com/education/allergy-treatment-dog-cat-9.htm
Question:My new guinea pig has been sneezing often, and I noticed that he has a slightly runny nose. I'm worried that he is allergic to his hay or bedding, or he has a cold.
Answer:I am solely a small animal (just dogs and cats) veterinarian so contact a veterinarian that specializes in exotics for help with your guinea pig. You can often find them at your local veterinary school or on websites like Justanswer.com.
Question:What kind of food can I feed my dog who has had bladder surgery. She is allergic to CD food.
Answer:It depends on why she had bladder surgery - usually to remove bladder stones, then it depends on exactly what kind of bladder stone she had, which your veterinarian will know so they are definitely the best one to ask. If your dog had bladder stones, only prescription food seems to keep many dogs from getting them again, but there are a few different options: Royal Canin and Purina make both have one so ask your veterinarian about those.
Question:Dog is sneeze and coughing alot
Answer:I would need more information and to examine her to give you any kind of useful information. A dogs' allergic organ is their skin (ours is our respiratory tract) so it rare for them to cough secondary to allergies.
Question:My dog has very bad seasonal allergies and is fine all fall and winter. Spring and summer get here and she scratches herself to death. Is there a way to manage this without spending hundreds and hundreds of dollars for the same office visit and same set of scripts over and over again? This isn't new yet I keep having to see a vet to get the same meds every time. There's got to be another way
Answer:Allergies can be frustrating because they continue to recur until you figure out what they are allergic to and often it is multiple things. Allergy testing &/or a referral to a veterinary dermatologist may be an option for her. The good thing is that there are a LOT of treatment options available now, many more than are listed in this article but here is a link to our article about treating allergies which starts by discussing "avoiding allergens" and lists many over-the-counter and prescription treatment options: https://www.1800petmeds.com/education/allergy-treatment-dog-cat-9.htm
Question:How do I help my pet relieve her itching/scratching, coughing, bad odor and skin lesions which all seem to relate to her allergies. She's a shitz-su with frequent ear infections & has hearing deficits. She's a sweetheart & I hate to see her suffer.
Answer:Allergies can be frustrating because they continue to recur until you figure out what they are allergic to and often it is multiple things. The good thing is that there are a LOT of treatment options available now, many more than are listed in this article but here is a link to our article about treating allergies which starts by discussing "avoiding allergens" which is key to long term comfort and lists many over-the-counter and prescription treatment options: https://www.1800petmeds.com/education/allergy-treatment-dog-cat-9.htm
Question:Hi, I wanted to know if giving Apoquel with Galliprant would have a drug interaction.
Answer:Contact your veterinarian that prescribed them for the best advice - they will need to check your dogs blood work.
Question:I have a pug believe he has allergies
Answer:Allergies can be frustrating because they continue to recur until you figure out what they are allergic to and often it is multiple things. The good thing is that there are a LOT of treatment options available now, many more than are listed in this article but here is a link to our article about treating allergies which starts by discussing "avoiding allergens" and lists many over-the-counter and prescription treatment options: https://www.1800petmeds.com/education/allergy-treatment-dog-cat-9.htm
Question:Is it safe to give a dog apoquel long term or are there any alternatives?
Answer:Apoquel seems very safe - much safer than the steroids that we used to have to use for allergies. Apoquel seems to work better than just about anything but yes, there are (many) other ways to treat allergies. Here is a link to our article about treatment fo rallergies: https://www.1800petmeds.com/education/allergy-treatment-dog-cat-9.html
Question:What is good for red eyes 8 yrs
Answer:If it is mild, just rinsing with human eye normal saline (like contact wearers use) can help. If it is a little worse, an over-the-counter eye gel like this one may help: https://www.1800petmeds.com/I-DROP+Vet+Gel-prod12622.html Then if it doesn't, seeing your veterinarian for an official diagnosis and stronger prescription medications may be necessary.
Question:I've spend so much money to help ease my two dogs mother and son dogs allergies. It's has never really all the way controlled I've bought grain free food I have apoquel , prednisone ,antibiotic, shots Im just not rich and can't always afford this is there something else I can do to help just ease there misery
Answer:Allergies can be frustrating because they continue to recur until you figure out what they are allergic to and often it is multiple things. Start with a strict food trial using a prescription hypoallergenic food from your veterinarian. They are expensive but try to do it for at least 8 weeks to discover if they have specific food allergies - then you can try to use less expensive food. The good thing is that there are a LOT of treatment options available now, many more than are listed in this article but here is a link to our article about treating allergies which starts by discussing "avoiding allergens" and lists many over-the-counter and prescription treatment options: https://www.1800petmeds.com/education/allergy-treatment-dog-cat-9.htm
Question:When I give apoquil to my dog, he gets severe ear infections. What can I do? The shots do not last the full time.
Answer:Apoquel does not cause ear infections - in fact, it is a treatment for ear infections, so it sounds like it's not working well with your dog. Allergies can be frustrating because they continue to recur until you figure out what they are allergic to and often it is multiple things. Start with a really strict food trial with a prescription hypoallergenic food from your veterinarian. The good thing is that there are a LOT of treatment options available now, many more than are listed in this article but here is a link to our article about treating allergies which starts by discussing "avoiding allergens" and lists many over-the-counter and prescription treatment options: https://www.1800petmeds.com/education/allergy-treatment-dog-cat-9.htm
Question:My senior pup has developed a runny nose over the past few months. I thought dog allergy pills would help but they don't do a whole lot. Its turned yellowish in color so I was thinking maybe a sinus infection? Can you help me out?
Answer:I would definitely go ahead and get your veterinarian to check him/her out - there are many possibilities along with those that you listed like cancer, fungal infections, etc.
Question:Why does my dog lick and gently chew on his feet?
Answer:There are many things that cause that (allergies, mange, ringworm, etc) and most are treated differently so have your veterinarian run some quick tests and make a diagnosis. Since allergies are the most common, here is a link to our article about various treatments for allergies, both over-the-counter and prescription: https://www.1800petmeds.com/education/allergy-treatment-dog-cat-9.htm
Email Us
Live Chat