Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have a two and a half year old female miniature dachshund named Carmel. She is very active, playful, and never had any allergy problems. However, about a week ago, she was stung by a bee and had a severe allergic reaction, where her entire face and all four paws became extremely swollen and red. I rushed her to the veterinary clinic and the vet gave her a antihistamine shot and a steroid shot. The vet also prescribed some benedryl pills until all the swelling went down. By the next day, she was fine and back to her normal self. She no longer had signs of an allergy reaction until that following weekend. For the past six days now, every morning and evening she has red bumps on either her face, hind legs, neck, or lower back area. When I called the vet and explained this to him, I was told that she has either an environmental allergy(ex: allergic to dust), a food allergy, a flea allergy, or an intestinal parasite that can cause an allergic reaction. I have cleaned the house and sprayed the backyard, but she is still having her allergy reactions. This weekend I have going to get a fecal test done on her in order to rule out any parasitic problems. Does anybody have any experience with a dog who has an allergy? If so, what can I do to figure out what she is allergic to?

Any advice would help. Thanks.

A concerned owner,

Rachel

>>I have a two and a half year old female miniature dachshund named Carmel. She is very active, playful, and never had any allergy problems. However, about a week ago, she was stung by a bee and had a severe allergic reaction, where her entire face and all four paws became extremely swollen and red. I rushed her to the veterinary clinic and the vet gave her a antihistamine shot and a steroid shot. The vet also prescribed some benedryl pills until all the swelling went down. By the next day, she was fine and back to her normal self. She no longer had signs of an allergy reaction until that following weekend. For the past six days now, every morning and evening she has red bumps on either her face, hind legs, neck, or lower back area. When I called the vet and explained this to him, I was told that she has either an environmental allergy(ex: allergic to dust), a food allergy, a flea allergy, or an intestinal parasite that can cause an allergic reaction. I have cleaned the house and sprayed the backyard, but she is still having her allergy reactions. This weekend I have going to get a fecal test done on her in order to rule out any parasitic problems. Does anybody have any experience with a dog who has an allergy? If so, what can I do to figure out what she is allergic to?
>>
>>Any advice would help. Thanks.
>>
>>A concerned owner,
>>
>>Rachel

>>>>>>>>>>>>>

First, have your veterinarian run these thyroid tests: Total T4, Free T4 by Equilibrium Dialysis and TSH. The blood needs to be analyzed by one of the 6 approved OFA labs, listed at www.offa.org. If the dog turns out to be hypothyroid, thyroid supplementation will help the allergies enormously.

Next step is to ask your veterinarian to refer you to a veterinary dermatology specialist.
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Kathy Diamond Davis, author, "Therapy Dogs: Training Your Dog to Reach Others," 2nd edition, and the free Canine Behavior Series at www.veterinaryforum.com

Poor baby! I don't have any suggestions, but what Kathy is saying makes sense. I sure hope you can find some relief for her. I love dachies so much!
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Melody/PHFasDog
Email me at PHFasDog

My furkids:
Shadow, Jadzia and Lyta.
Kira waiting at the bridge.

Dogs come into our lives, and too quickly go leaving pawprints on our hearts, and we will never be quite the same again.

The allergies are most likely food related which is very common in Doxie's. You didn't say what food you currently feed but Wellness Fish & Sweet Potato is an excellent hypo-allergenic food. You might want to slowly switch food brands and see if that helps the allergies. I think the sting might have made the food allergies surface?!? Good Luck...Hope your pupper feels better soon.

You are right. She does have a food allergy. About two and a half weeks ago, I changed her dog food brand from Pedigree to Science Diet. For two weeks now, she has not had any allergic reactions. The main ingredient in Pedigree Dog Food is corn and the main ingredient in Science Diet Dog Food is chicken. So, I am assuming that she is allergic to corn.

Thanks,

Rachel