Pollen Allergy in Dogs

[ClassicMercs]

Has anyone else had a dog with a pollen allergy ?

It started last summer with our English Setter when he was nearly 10. All of a sudden he started licking himself on his feet - through the skin. Last year we thought its was some 'happy licking' syndrome. Licking apparently makes the dog feel happy - and after a recent holiday where he was licked to bits by our younger dog whilst travelling in the car the vet thought he must have developed a desire to be 'happy'.
However, it started again this spring and therefore the vet has now put it down to pollen. Looking at the web the symptoms are correct, including this year the scratching of the face.

How do others deal with this problem ? Last year we used a bucket on his head a bit, but mostly bandaged his legs. This year we have just used the bucket - which for an English Setter is pretty big. We have pills from the vet to combat the potential infection from the licking through the skin, plus we try and give him a wash to clean his coat. Are there any other tips to try and help put a smile back on a miserable dogs face ?

[deano12345]

my bulldog has this, she gets itchy eyes and skin, vet gave us dog piriton, makes her either tired or hyper, seems to work though

[ClassicMercs]

Thanks for that idea - there seems to be quite a lot about piriton for dogs on the web.
In terms of pace, we are talking English Setter anyway - so its either stop (mostly) or go. And with a young Irish Setter around we know all about 'go' !!!

[Mexic0]

My mates mutt had this and i think the vet gave him(the mutt) some injection and he was ok(Labrador)gun dog.

[Four Cofffee]

Oh yes!

Stared with a particulary stessful visist to the doggie barbers abot 6 years ago. Vet suggests that often they can cope with an allergy until another illness or event lowers their defence systems. He was gnawing at his feet and scratvchinga ll the time.

I had various potions and lotions and then lab tests which suggested he was allergic to grass pollen, house dust mite and storage mite. We took all of the carpets out on the ground floor, made a cotton cover for his dog bed, had a company spreay the house for allegens after carpet cleaning and still it persisted. In the end I wqs giving him monthly injections (at £200 a year)of some special mix of drugs but that was pretty useless and I stopped after 3 years.

Now he survives on half a steriod tablet every 3-5 days which calms it nicely and piriton it it gets too bad between steroids. I try to keep his fur short in the high pollen season if I can and bath him more often with a anti fungal, anti bacterial lotion to stiop any screatches becoming infected.

We did buy some 'miracle gell' which is used by working dogs and horses to cover wounds and scratches but that wasn't practical for a household pet as the stuff gets on furniture etc.

[becksW]

Piriton (chlorphenaramine 4mg generic and cheaper) can help, suprised your vet didn't mention it, or sometimes low dose steroids. bandaging could worsen the problem as feet sweat so could aggravate irritation.

If get infected then a medicated shampoo (e.g. malaseb prescription only so need a vet to agree it would benefit) can help) and antibiotics.

Avoid walking in grassy areas, keep hair between toes trimmed and don't allow to lick. Not an easy problem to sort out.

Edited by becksW on Thursday 19th August 16:45

[Tango13]

My mums' bull terrier of insanity, Tess suffers from this.

Her paws become red and swollen around her claws and she won't leave them alone. A few minutes standing in a cool salt bath when it flairs up normally cures it.

[treehack]

Could be mites they burrow under the skin a vet can check for mites they can do a skin scrape and check for mites. Worth a try