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Ask the Vet About Allergies in Dogs and Cats
Ask the Vet About Allergies in Dogs and Cats
Dr. Michael Dym
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 QuestionDate: Aug 5, 2020
Category: Allergies
Pet Type: Dog
Topic: Pink swollen paws
Question:What causes dogs to have swollen pink paws? Is there anything I can do to reduce swelling?
Answer:There are many things that cause this (allergies, mange, fungal or bacterial infections, 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
Date: Aug 5, 2020
Category: Allergies
Pet Type: Dog
Topic: Greenish eye discharge
Question:I have a 3 1/2 boxer named Izzy, she has her seasonal allergies, she recently got sprayed by a skunk in the face and mouth, was treated for it, ever since the skunk sprayed her in the face her eyes have been red and she’s has discharge, he eye have bumps from her itching at them. What can I do? What can this be?
Answer:I don't like to take chances and guess what is going on with eyes I cannot see, so have your veterinarian check her when you can. If that isn't immediately an option, you can try an oral antihistamine like Zyrtec and an eye lube like this one: https://www.1800petmeds.com/Optixcare+Eye+Lube+Plus-prod12295.html
Date: Aug 5, 2020
Category: Allergies
Pet Type: Dog
Topic: Paw soaking
Question:Is it ok to soak my French bulldogs paws in iodine to relieve chewing?
Answer:It's fine to do that - it can potentially help a secondary infection, but it won't help the underlying cause of the itching (assuming allergies because you categorized the question here), so be sure you and your veterinarian are addressing that as well. 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
Date: Aug 1, 2020
Category: Allergies
Pet Type: Dog
Topic: Skin irritation on top of dogs head
Question:My dog has broken out with a rash on the top of her head. It feels like small bumps, but I am unable to see the actual rash. She does have allergies, but this does not seem like that. She is two and a female UKC pit bull.
Answer:I would really need to examine her and get a longer history to really help you. If it was very sudden and looks more like whelps, try oral benadryl at 1mg per pound of body weight given twice daily. If it was gradual (over a few days time) it could be many things, including a secondary infection that may respond to a good medicated shampoo, like this one: https://www.1800petmeds.com/Malaseb+Shampoo-prod10667.html
Date: Jul 30, 2020
Category: Allergies
Pet Type:
Topic: Lick Granuloma
Question:Do you have any advice to treat a lick granuloma? I have done laser treatments, antibiotics, pain and inflammation pills, allergy shot and I have creams and sprays. I don’t know what else to do to keep my dog from licking and chewing on his leg.
Answer:These are frustrating. Here is a good article about lick granulomas, written by another veterinarian, from a site that I trust: https://veterinarypartner.vin.com/default.aspx?pid=19239&id=4951978
Date: Jul 28, 2020
Category: Allergies
Pet Type: Dog
Topic: Generics?
Question:I have 2 dogs on numerous medications that I purchase here. Are there any generic alternatives for Apoquel, Gabapentin, Clomicalm or Galliprant?
Answer:None that I know of for those 4 medications.
Date: Jul 28, 2020
Category: Allergies
Pet Type: Dog
Topic: Apoquel
Question:Do you have a generic for Apoquel?
Answer:No - we need one though, lol. (I get this question about once a day)
Date: Jul 28, 2020
Category: Allergies
Pet Type: Dog
Topic: Scooting
Question:My 2 month old pekingese puppy started to scoot 4 days ago. While she is scooting she is barking and scratching as well. Doesn’t seem like worms, she has gotten al her deworming and vaccination shots. She is VERY frustrated and irritated and the scooting is PERSISTENT. I took her to the Vet and he diagnosed her with colitis. Gave her antibiotics and ointment to apply around the anus. The scooting has gotten a bit better but hasn’t gone away at all and she is still very frustrated. Any advice? Not sure if this problem can be allergy related. Her stool and appetite is completely normal.
Answer:I would need to examine her to really help you. She is too young to be having such issues with allergies. Have your veterinarian recheck her if she stays that uncomfortable.
Date: Jul 27, 2020
Category: Allergies
Pet Type: Cat
Topic: Cat allergic reaction
Question:My cat had an allergic reaction to clavamox about 5 to 6 weeks ago.She now has a large hairless area on her back with scabs and sores...Our vet gave her prednisone and said it will get better over time...do you know of anything else I can do to help her.....She keeps scratching and licking the area...Also how long does it take for something like this to heal
Answer:This is not an allergic reaction to Clavamox - that would've stopped by now after stopping the Clavamox. 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
Date: Jul 25, 2020
Category: Allergies
Pet Type: Dog
Topic: Apoquel use
Question:My dog weighs 20 pounds and we are currently giving her 3.6 milligram once a day in the morning. It doesn’t seem to keep her from excessive scratching. Is it safe to increase the dosage to two pills, once in the morning and once in the evening?
Answer:That is within her dosage range, so it will probably be fine, BUT definitely consult your regular veterinarian to confirm - it will depend on a lot of things (old blood work, how long she has been on it, how many times she has been on it, other medications she may be on, how old she is, other medical problems, etc.)
Date: Jul 22, 2020
Category: Allergies
Pet Type: Cat
Topic: recommendation
Question:Is there a safe over the counter antihistamine I can give my cat to alleviate some of the itching caused by seasonal allergies?
Answer:Anti-histamines don't work very well in cats, but yes, you can try them - check with your veterinarian about exactly which one and dosage, but in general 1mg per pound of body weight for benadryl. You always want to be sure that it only contains an antihistamine - never other active ingredients - like just diphenhydramine for benadryl. You want to treat with a good flea preventative even if you aren't seeing fleas as they are the most common allergen and one flea bite can make them miserable. They groom them off so quickly we often don't see them.
Date: Jul 21, 2020
Category: Allergies
Pet Type: Dog
Topic: Allergies. Xyzal
Question:I give my 109 pound Lab Zertec for allergies but It doesn’t stop the scratching. He also has to take Thyroid meds. Could I safely give him Xyzal to see if it helps his allergies?
Answer:You should, theoretically, get the exact same response to those 2 medications because they are metabolized into the same anti-histamine. Your veterinarian will have much stronger medication, that works much better, like Apoquel. 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
Date: Jul 20, 2020
Category: Allergies
Pet Type: Dog
Topic: Rash
Question:Dog has itchy spots all over lower body.. some look like missing hair and itches look red. Sometimes he gets in the litter box. Could it be that or allergies? He still wants to play.
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
Date: Jul 19, 2020
Category: Allergies
Pet Type: Dog
Topic: licking paws
Question:Is licking paws caused from allergies or anxiety
Answer:There are many things that cause this (allergies, mange, ringworm, etc - anxiety would be very rare) 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
Date: Jul 18, 2020
Category: Allergies
Pet Type: Dog
Topic: Skin Itching and Irritation
Question:Mt pit bull mix was just on steroids to treat general itchiness. He was itching so hard he was losing hair in certain spots and breaking the skin. He had some side effects (upset stomach, diarrhea) but it helped his itchiness a lot. He finished the dose and itchiness has returned. I’m going to take him back to the vet, but are there any OTC things I should be doing?
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
