From: cchris@frontiernet.net   
      
   Thanks a lot.   
      
      
   "Michelle K"  wrote in message   
   news:IaOdnf7nfqlwhmDfRVn-hQ@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)   
   >   
   >   
      
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