Really Worried About Lola

[Bobbisox1]

Her scratching herself constantly, we’ve tried everything , changing shampoo, her food, my washing powder and softener, the Vets gave her steroids , it’s gone on for a few months now , tonight she was on my knee lying flat and I didn’t realise how her undercarriage is going bald with her scratching , I’ve tried antihistamine, we’re at our wits end now x

[Buenchico]

My friend's English Setter had similar problems. Thousands of pounds were spent (thankfully reimbursed through insurance) at both the local vet's surgery and at a specialist place 30 miles away. The problem was eventually solved via the fairly drastic solution of ripping up, and throwing away, all of the carpets in my friend's flat!

So perhaps you ought to be thinking about Lola's environment, rather than solely about Lola herself?

[Bobbisox1]

We don’t have carpets here Chris, I’ve got wood flooring

[Redhelen72]

Have you tried gluten free foods or getting her tested for allergies? Dogs can get allergies at any stage chicken is a common one

[Bobbisox1]

No smelly candles or household sprays either x

[Bobbisox1]

We’re in the process of having her tested for allergies and trying to eliminate all sorts, tried her on dry food but she just walks away from it

[Bobbisox1]

She only has chicken very rarely

[pastafreak]

Would it help to cover her so she can't scratch so easily? Something like a baby tee shirt that is snug.
Didn't she do this last year also? I know you've mentioned it before. As redhelen says, she should be tested for allergies. If the vet hasn't done that, maybe you need a new vet.

[Bobbisox1]

I think we might need a new vet,I hate the idea of Steroids for her

[gulliver1]

Have you tried her on Hills prescription special dog food. expensive but it might help if you change her food.

[Bobbisox1]

Thanks Gulliver, we’ve tried changing her food too

[AuntPG]

You think a different Vet would have a miracle diagnosis? Steroids are very effective in treating allergies, but you have to find the cause as well, and any vet could do that if you ask.

[237SJ]

Flea allergy?

[Bobbisox1]

APG, it has scared me that a friend of mine has a Cockapoo same as Lola going through same thing, Vet told her steroids would work but shorten her life

[Bobbisox1]

No fleas on her 237SJ

[anneasquith]

She must be in pain with so much itching. Is a vet advising steroids and you are unwilling to give them to her ?

[237SJ]

I don't know anything about dogs but in cats, they can have an allergy to fleas, even if they hardly have any (fleas)

[AuntPG]

Bobbi -Steroids are a short-term fix while they find out what lola is potentially allergic to. Being on steroids does not affect the allergy testing and would only potentially shorten life if she were on it long term. I assume they have done blood and faeces tests for parasites?

[Redhelen72]

Chicken will be in the dried foods.
Personally I would take her off all shop bought food and give her boiled rice veggies and boiled beef for a couple of weeks if it improves then you know she is ok with beef then try other meats for a couple of weeks and keep repeating

[gulliver1]

Reading what 237sj suggested Have you a Cat in the house,or does lola come in contact with cats.

[AuntPG]

Have they offered Lola NSAID's? Meloxicam?