kishu allergy

edited March 2013 in Kishu Ken (紀州犬)
new thread to avoid going OT in the other.

For over a year now Sushi seems to get itchy around the eye area to the point that its usually red from scratching. She also has developed a few little bumps on her snout.

We have been to the vet a few times about it, returning all visits with the same suggestion that its a allergy. We treated her briefly twice with steroids but for obvious reasons are not thrilled with the idea of that, however it does make the bumps go away and itching stop. (benedryl was given also). She doesn't seem uncomfortable whatsoever otherwise we would be pursing a allergist about it. But i can tell the skin is red often..

Since we got her she was fed only merrick. Since the "allergy" we have experimented with several different diets. chicken n rice, versus fish n potato, no treats, all grain free etc. I cant pin for the life of me any environmental changes whatsoever and def have covered all of the obvious suggestions such as detergents, toy stuffing's, happening through all seasons etc..

any input would be great i will try to post some pics.

Comments

  • how long do you keep her on various diets before you switch out?

    Jesse
  • Approx month on chicken n rice. been on versus fish blend now for about two months now but started giving her milk bone treats again about month ago figuring the diet change wasnt working so i wadnt botching anything.
  • To get the quickest answer as to what she is allergic to, You can have blood drawn and sent out for allergy testing Does not have to be done by an allergist, your regular vet can draw the blood and send it to the lab. You then get a printout of exactly what she is allergic to. It covers both environmental and food allergies. It can actually be something in the food causing the allergy and not just the protein or carb source.
  • Ill call the vet tomorrow and attempt to set that up
  • @shishiinu needs to read this...
  • I believe the lab is in AZ. They do a pretty big panel of items. My mom had a dog with food allergies. It turns out he was allergic to tomatoe. Often used in a lot of the all natural foods. Never would have figured out that he was allergic to that through the trial and error method. If it is environmental, they can develop an allergy shot that you can give at home once a month. Initial cost for the testing can be pricy, but it saves a lot of time and tells you exactly what is causing the issue.
  • Two of the Kishu pups we had has severe allergies also. I'm now getting all of the adults tested before anymore breeding a take place. Such a pain in the ass.
  • That sucks. Have the 2 pups been tested to see what it is?
  • @Bize - Have you let Carleen know? Maybe she can give you some insight on if one of your pup's relatives has allergies.
  • @sjp051993 - I haven't had Dragoon tested yet for a number of reasons, the main one being my vet doesn't do it & I'd have to go to the specialist. Every time I go to the specialists for something, the bill ends up being 3x what my regular vet "guesses" it's going to be, so probably over a grand. [ just don't have that sitting around right now while we try & focus on Fate ]

    That said, I'm still not convinced it's an allergy. It's definitely not food [ unless she's allergic to raw chicken, raw beef, & various types of kibble / wet food ] & she has the same issue in summer AND winter. I have even limited her to being in the house for one month to see if less outside exposure would make a difference...it didn't!

    But what does make a difference, is when she's on an anti-fungal / anti-bacterial! The itching stops! So I'm still wondering if we're fighting some bizarre yeast infection that just can't be beat. Or maybe for some reason she's an extra yeast-y dog. I have no idea. ~
  • That is interesting about Dragoon. Although I had an allergy dog that was treated with anti-fungal meds for a long time before we found the allergies. That sucks that you have to go to a specialist. The lab in AZ only requires some test tubes of spun down whole blood. That sucks your vet won't do that. I understand the specialist, they charge out the rear and seldom give you answers.
    My mix breed had terrible skin, constant ear infections. I had the blood sent in and at the time, they tested for 42 items on the panel. She was allergic to like 36 of the 42 items. Since then the lab has increased the items on the panel. I think when we tested my mom's dog it was up to 60 items.
  • @Bize - Have you let Carleen know? Maybe she can give you some insight on if one of your pup's relatives has allergies.
    no im going to contact her this week though to touch base possibly gain some insight.

    i spoke with my vet today, they said pretty much whats been gone over here. they would draw the blood and send it out to Heska ( http://www.heska.com/Products/ALLERCEPT/ALLERCEPT.aspx ). results would be quick, very comprehensive but naturally not guaranteed. If there is a definitive answer to whats she is allergic to then we could treat it as sjp051993 described.

    Fwiw they told me it would be $450 to run the blood panel that covers both food and environmental + 15. for a tech to draw blood. Im going to touch base with carleen, do a little more info digging then take the appropriate steps forward.

    this thread is great though ive gotten alot of valuable info for sure i hope its helping/helps someone else out also.. thanks alot everyone for the responses
  • I am guessing Atopy. It's an immune issue, common in their Shiba cousins.
  • edited March 2013
    im reading on that now thanks, but would that account for the little bumps on her snout also?
  • Wow, that lab has not changed their prices. That is what I paid 13 years ago.
  • any update on this?
  • no update yet. im still considering it being somthing in my yard. there doesnt seem to be much discomfort or serious irritation so im going to see if it clears up.if it doesnt im going to take her in for the testing. im also going to start giving her fish oil to help with the itchy skin. still open to any input.
  • Don't rule out the possibility of the chemicals in your carpet/carpet cleaning solution.....dogs like to rub their faces on the carpet and it is possible that Sushi could be allergic to something there.....or in the couch fabric, etc. You would be amazed at what is in those things.

    South Texas is a bad place for allergies, but Sushi's relatives have never had any problems other than an occasional flea allergy when flea season is really bad.

    Carleen
  • But what does make a difference, is when she's on an anti-fungal / anti-bacterial! The itching stops! So I'm still wondering if we're fighting some bizarre yeast infection that just can't be beat. Or maybe for some reason she's an extra yeast-y dog. I have no idea. ~

    This reminds me of what some TRDs have experienced (you can find posts on TRDUSA.org/forums in the health section). I know the owners have been to many vet appointments with different vets, but I don't think they found out what was going on exactly. More guesses and meds than results. Not to be a bearer of bad news, but I am curious if we can find out what the root is and then treatment.
  • @TRDmom - I'm actually on the TRD Forums! :) I will have to check that out, thanks! ~
  • @Sangmort - Yes, I recognized you from the forum! :)
Sign In or Register to comment.