Possible allergy?

[Old Tyke]

After a smooth start with Kyla I'm starting to have a few concerns. She slept on her new bed (wasn't too interested in her old one) relatively happily in the bedroom but started doing a lot of scratching and nipping on her fur all over her body so something is clearly irritating her and causing her distress. This is in addition to the constant leg and foot chewing I mentioned yesterday, so basically she's spending nearly all her time scratting or gnawing. I've given her fur and skin a good inspecting with a magnifying glass and can't see any evidence of any fleas or mites and I know from previous experience with my old staffy Sal that it's fairly easy to see fleas on their short coats if they have them.
What's also concerning is my lower legs, ankles and feet have come out in an itchy rash which seems a bit coincidental that this has only developed since having her here. I never suffered any skin reactions with Sal so this strikes me as being rather odd.

[Old Tyke]

I am going to get some anti-itch shampoo for her before heading to the vet. House is kept clean and our own bedding is regularly changed, mattress vacuumed and underneath the bed too so shouldn't be mites .

What is more concerning for me right now is whether I do have any allergy to her. I have a suspicion that the hives and rashes are from where she's been licking me. My Old Dear used to be veterinary nurse but it was a long time ago now - 30+ years, but she reckons it could well be her saliva that's causing the reaction rather than her fur or dander and it can vary from animal to animal. Maybe you have experience here bexvn?

Given my legs, feet, hands and neck "fire" I have going on right now from the itching and soreness I'm starting to wonder about the future as you can't realistically stop your dog from licking you.

[Old Tyke]

bexVN said:

Just use an Aloe Oatmeal shampoo on her for now, it will soothe and anything more may be too harsh on a sensitive skin.

As for you. If it is her licking then you may need Piriton in the short term and obviously try not to let her lick. If it is a contact allergy (not just licking) then again Piriton but also apply this to her after bathing her:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B019IO94BO/ref=mp...

Also invest in Pet remedy plug in. A natural calmer in case licking is stress related.

Finally vets before end of week if no improvement as it will be a miserable thing for her to have to live with.

Edited by bexVN on Sunday 19th March 19:22

Piriton is what I've already been taking at max doses since it started. Unfortunately she's a very in-yer-face dog and insists on licking you to death. She's not the kind of dog that is content to be petted at arms length on the floor, she isn't happy until she's pawed her way all the way up your body and is laid on top of your head, licking it to death and any other visible skin. A bit full-on for me, but she's young and excited and will probably grow out of it eventually, however right now it makes things extremely awkward because I'm trying to keep her at arms length and she naturally thinks she's done something wrong and doesn't understand.

I've also got to consider beyond the short-term with this. The Piriton is providing some relief with the itchyness but the rashes are all still there and very much visible on my hands and neck. There is no magical solution to this - an allergy is always going to be an allergy and I know it sounds harsh but I'm not putting up with discomfort and red blotches for anyone and certainly not an animal! I have to think about her welfare as well. It's not fair on her to stay here for a prolonged period if the writing is already on the wall as she'll have yet another upheaval to deal with. All these new faces are still fresh in her mind right now and she isn't emotionally attached to anyone. I love her to bits but I need to be realistic and consider what's best.

[Old Tyke]

I am close to making my mind up, you're right, and it's because I've had a stty 24 hours of being doped up on tablets which make me very drowsy when I've got to get work done (I work from home), which in turn makes me ratty and on top of that I've got red raw skin which is incredibly itchy and sore and to cap it off a dog that wants to play that I can't touch.

Is it right or fair for both of us to carry on like this just because it's the social norm to never give up with pets and common sense must be cast aside?

It's been a tough day and tomorrow doesn't look like it's going to be any better, nor the day after that.