From: smrtgrl@rogers.com   
      
   "chrisc"  wrote in message   
   news:vqVKe.3925$cg.3513@news02.roc.ny...   
   >I have been taking him to the vet for over a year now. They keep putting   
   >him   
   > on antibiotics . It's not his food cause we switched him from innova to   
   > science diet to diamond premium edge lamb and rice (over time). It is not   
   > seasonal cause its year round. The meds clear him up temporarily, but then   
   > it comes back (itching, redness in the ears, raw skin near the crotch on   
   > the   
   > inside of his legs from constant licking). They told me the next stpe   
   > would   
   > be to try putting him on a special diet (fish or allergy type food). They   
   > told me it could be the chicken meal in the foods. Also, I was referred to   
   > a   
   > dermatologist . The thing is they want $5-600 to test him!!!!!! Any   
   > suggestions? He is 2 years old. Thanks   
   >   
   >   
   Hi, I have posted similar things about my bullmastiff in rpdh.  She would go   
   on cephalaxin for between 3 and 6 weeks and then within a week be back in   
   full allergy attack.   
      
   On the 5th of Aug, we went to a dermatologist.  He reviewed her history (she   
   is 2.5 by the way), and looked at her skin carefully.  We talked for about   
   an hour about allergies and dogs, and Milly's allergies in particular.  I   
   felt it was worth the hundred or so dollars for the consultation. He felt   
   (and I agree based on my observations) that her allergies are probably   
   mostly environmental (as opposed to food).  We are going to go ahead with   
   allergy testing, and she has an appointment on the 12th of Sept for that.   
   If she has strong positive reactions, we can then start her on allergy shots   
   which might or might not have the desired effect. (there's a 25% chance that   
   she will not be helped at all by the shots).   
      
   He mentioned that it is possible that she has a mild food based allergy that   
   is making her environmental allergies worse, but we'd see how she is doing   
   in Feb after allergy shots should be working well to see if she is having   
   any reactions.   
      
   One thing that he also mentioned is that often dogs will outgrow their   
   allergies by the age of three.  Just something to consider.   
      
   Best of luck!   
      
   Michelle (Milly's mom)   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)