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My 1 1/2 year old dog may have seasonal allergies. Our vet told us to give him Benedryl. I don't want to knock him out and have him be drowsy all the time so I asked her for something else. She has prescribed Prednizone for 10 days. Is that ok for him? Any sides effects I should know about? Thanks!

>>My 1 1/2 year old dog may have seasonal allergies. Our vet told us to give him Benedryl. I don't want to knock him out and have him be drowsy all the time so I asked her for something else. She has prescribed Prednizone for 10 days. Is that ok for him? Any sides effects I should know about? Thanks!

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Prednisone has potentially serious side effects, along with things you are sure to find annoying such as frequent urination. You'd be better off with the Benedryl, but much better off going to a veterinary dermatology specialist and getting to the root of the skin problem.

I had one Lab/GSD with seasonal skin allergies who responded beautifully to a long-term vitamin program I found in the book "How to Have a Healthier Dog," by Belfield and Zucker. Until the vitamins could take effect, he was greatly helped by coal tar shampoo treatments (apply shampoo, keep it on and don't let dog lick it for 10 minutes, rinse thoroughly) and oiling his skin with a solution of 1/4 cup Alpha Keri hypoallergenic bath oil for people in water in a 1 pint spray bottle applied daily.

Your dog food may be the problem, or something in the environment. This problem tends to get worse as the dog gets older, so getting a good handle on it now can lengthen your dog's life. It will also make him more comfortable and more attractive. Just putting him on a steroid is not the answer. Don't be surprised if the skin problem comes back worse than ever at the end of the steroid treatment.
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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

Thanks for the email. A co-worker said her vet told her if the dog is scratching around the face area (like ours) it's an air allergy and should go away like other air born allergins (sp?). If he scratches his belly a lot (he isn't,) it's in the food?!?! I agree about the Benedryl that it's better than the steroid but maybe we'll leave it as a last resort. His skin seems fine unless there is something I am missing something. We'll look for the book next time we're at the book store. That is the way we'd prefer to go as long as it works for him. Thanks!!

also - our vet said once he starts to bite his feet, he should go on the steroids. any truth to that that you know of? he's been licking his feet but not a whole lot.

>>also - our vet said once he starts to bite his feet, he should go on the steroids. any truth to that that you know of? he's been licking his feet but not a whole lot.

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If it were my dog, I'd go to a veterinary dermatology specialist and find the real problem so that can be treated. Steroids are dangerous.
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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