Expert: Dr. Louis N. Gotthelf - 1/29/2011

Question
QUESTION: I wanted to ask a few questions about my 6 yr. old female boxer.  For years now she has suffered from allergies.  Both food and environmental.  I had her tested for environment and found she is allergic to grass/trees in our neighborhood.  I have done it all.  We have been to a dermatologist, been on every atopic med, steroid, over the counter antihistamine, switched foods,supplements, allergy shots, etc.  I have spent thousands on her and nothing has worked.  I don't know what to do.  I think the spring time is bad then winter comes and she's bad...then I think winter is bad then spring gets worse.  I switched her to raw food but found she was allergic to chicken and beef.  Raw lamb or venison is to expensive....I have another boxer at home to care for as well.  She was on kangaroo and there was really no difference.  She is back on her normal food..natures balance limited ingredient venison/pot mix. I see all these products online to supplement her but just not sure which way to go.  Please help....the poor baby is only 6 and has been itching for half her life!  Thanks --Jenn

ANSWER: When I am faced with cases like this, the very first thing I do is to dip these dogs in a solution of amitraz to kill skin mites, like sarcoptic mites.  They are so very hard to diagnose, but I hear the same history that you wrote to me about...unresponsive to everything. I would guess that dipping helps about half of these dogs to stop itching.

In addition, if the dermatologist said that the dog tested allergic, then I would start to desensitize right away using allergen specific immunotherapy.  Allergic disease are additive, meaning that each antigen that the dog is sensitive to adds to the next until they reach a certain point and then the skin reacts.  If there are numerous allergens in a very sensitive dog, the desensitizing subtracts out the offending allergens until the level of antigenic stimulation is below the itching threshold.

As far as supplements, Omega3 fatty acids (fish oils) in the food seem to help many allegic dogs.  The current theory of allergy is called the brick and mortar theory.  That is the mortar that holds the skin cells together is defective in allergic dogs and that is what lets the antigens pass across the skin into the deeper layers where antigenic processing is done.  Omega 3 fatty acids (after 30-45 days) will help fill in the cracks in the mortar.  It also decreases the ability of the skin to become inflammed, which is what makes the dog itch.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you....what do you suggest for allergen specific immunotherapy?  And where can I find the solution of amitraz?  Is this something I can do myself or do I need to bring her somewhere?  I had her on fish food by wellness for years but seemed to thinkshe was becoming sensitive to that too.  I can try giving her supplements again of the fish oil?

Answer
Once the allergy tests are done and the vet determines the most likely antigens in your area that could be causing the allergy, then they will order a serum that is made specifically for your dog that contains those specific allergens.  The shots are give in increasing amounts over 3 months until you reach a maximum dose.  Then you give the shots weekly or bi weekly as needed.

Amitraz is a nasty insecticide and is not available over the counter.  We have to wear goggles, a mask, gloves, and an apron when we dip the dogs with amitraz and we have to do it in a well ventilated area. Please let your vet dip the dog for you.

Dogs that are food allergic can become allergic to the new food after a period of time.  There are diets that have hydrolyzed proteins in them that do not allow this to happen. (Hill's z/d food).

Omega3 fatty acids are excellent to give allergic dogs for life.  Besides helping allergic dogs, it is great for the joints, the kidneys, and the brain.