Dear Dr. Walt: Every year at this time until the first frost our dog (a Yorkie) gets allergies. Here are his symptoms -- greasy-looking coat, itchy, droopy eyes, and his back gets a little sensitive. Our regular vet gives him steroids in pill form and we don't like giving Max (our dog's name) that drug. Is there any product we could buy off the shelf at the drug store that would make Max get some relief?
I have already received a number of questions regarding allergies in our pets -- particularly our canine companions -- and this would fit with the fall season as allergies are more common in the late summer/early fall. Allergies in dogs are unique in how they present; whereas in people, we have respiratory symptoms (e.g., runny nose, sneezing, asthma), in dogs the symptoms usually involve the skin and/or ears and consist predominantly of pruritis or itchiness. As in people, the severity of the symptoms will also vary among afflicted dogs and this will impact on the treatment employed.
You refer to the use of a steroid in pill form and this remains the most effective treatment for allergies in our pets. The steroid used is not the muscle enhancing variety that seems to be getting our athletes into trouble. It is actually an anti-inflammatory variety called glucocorticoids of which the most commonly used product is prednisone.
You are right to be concerned over its use as there are potential side effects, namely excessive thirst, urination, and an increased appetite, that may lead to other problems with chronic use. However, if used in small, every-other-day doses for the short period when allergy symptoms are at their worst, there shouldn't be any health concerns.
There are other treatment strategies that you can use to try and avoid or reduce the dose of prednisone used and include the use of fish oil-based supplements (rich in omega 3 fatty acids), antihistamines, bathing with colloidal oatmeal based-products, and protecting your pet against fleas, which will compound any allergy symptoms it may have. Although many of these products can be purchased over the counter or through the pharmacy, consult first with your veterinarian to ensure their use is appropriate and the dosage used correct for the size of your dog.
For some dogs, determining the specific allergen through allergy testing may help you to avoid contact or allow your veterinarian to produce an allergy serum, specific to Max's allergies, for injection to try and reduce the severity of his symptoms.
Best of luck!
Happy ‘tails' and I'll be back with some more answers next month.
About Dr. Walt Ingwersen
Dr. Walt Ingwersen is Chief Veterinary Officer at PetCare Insurance Brokers Ltd. He is a 1982 graduate of the Ontario Veterinary College. Board certified in Internal Medicine, he has the distinction of being the first Canadian editor of the Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association, a position he currently holds.
Involved in many aspects of the national and international veterinary community, "Dr. Walt" is the recipient of the President's Award for outstanding contribution to the veterinary profession awarded by the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA). He is also Chief Veterinary Officer and Chairman of the Veterinary Advisory Board at PetCare Insurance Brokers Ltd. -- Canada's leading provider of insurance for dogs and cats.
