Reptile & Amphibian Forums

As you may already know and remember I have had many health issues with my German Shepherd/Rottweiler named Zeus. What it all comes down to is allergies which are causing all these issues. Hair loss, black skin pigmentation, cornice ear infections (in right ear ONLY), hot spots, large inflammed "balls" or bumps in-between toes. Although he does not itch much anymore the other symptoms are reoccurring mostly towards the summer. I currently do not feed raw, or homemade food which I have contemplated doing. He's on Blue Buffalo Basics in Turkey for dogs with sensitive stomachs. I had a thyroid panel run and was told that the test numbers were within normal range. Zeus' current vet currently recommends that an allergy test be run, but it will be a blood test. It's not cheap. At least I don't think $360.00 for a blood test is cheap, but I will pay and/or do anything to help my dog. I spoke to another vet in hopes of getting another opinion and he said that the best way to pin point an allergic reaction to an allergen is by doing an intradermal skin test. I would like to know which is more effective. My first vet gave me a very long list of what they look for in the blood. Over 30 items were listed. Can they do that amount on just his skin? What are the odds of me really figuring out what my dog is allergic to and being able to help him than keeping him medicated like the 2nd opinion vet requested that I do?? Also, my big concern is having my dog under anesthesia during the process, what are the odds of him not waking up? Besides the allergies he's in excellent health. Thanks in advance and my apologies for the lengthy post, but I am desperate for answers.

The blood test for allergies is not at all accurate, and not even repeatable. The intradermal skin test is the gold standard. You wrote that he had a thyroid test done; was it a complete panel or just a T4? If the T4 was under 2.0 your dog should be put on L-thyroxine. The lab values considered normal are 1-4 for the T4, but if it is under 2.0, and the dog is given L-thyroxine at a dosage of 0.1mg/10-15 lbs twice a day, the skin problems clear up in about a month.

The only thing I was told about his test was that the levels were 1.43 and that they were within normal range. She said that she WILL NOT put him on thyroid pills when he doesn't need it.

Ask her to try the thyroid for 2 months, for those values ARE low. Or have her consult Dr. Dodds at Hemopet in California.