DIY allergy treatment

[FayRose]

Molly get's allergies in the summer. I know there have been other threads about this, is the cause food or environment etc. but this is more about how to ease the problem rather than the cause.

We may have to go back to the vet in due course, if it gets worse, for steroids or whatever but in the mean time, I've bought allergy tabs from the chemist. They are 4mg chlorphenamine maleate. I've got these because this is what was prescribed for Molly last year and the vet actually said that we could buy them cheaper from the chemist.

I'm wondering what others thoughts are about doing this, does anyone else use these meds and how long a period have you given them?
At present it seems to be working. Molly is not scratching much at all and sometimes I think her moult is causing as much itchiness as her allergies. Obviously if she gets sore or another hotspot we'll go back to the vet. I am checking her carefully every day.

 

[Cath]

I was told by my vet too, to get them from the chemist. I gave Annie Piriton for a week. To be honest with you I didn't see much difference, but it was a lot cheaper than getting them from the vet.

 

[Joy]

If your vet suggested it, I'd give it a try. I have to say for my last dog, Rolo, Piriton did nothing to help. I also tried all sorts of herbal remedies (not homeopathy, I wasn't that nuts) and none helped (and in fact aloe vera made it worse). The only thing that helped Rolo was a restricted diet and steroids when he had flare ups.

 

[Cath]

The only thing that helps Annie is to wash her legs in Malaseb, which you have to get from the vets.

 

[M.F.]

Do you bath her? A bath gives great relief for itchy skin. Just think of how you feel after you shampoo your hair and scalp.

A friend told me brew chamomile tea (from flowers, not teabags—not strong enough) and apply to my dog’s skin. Said it worked for her itchy JR. I’ve not tried it yet, but really should. I gave Snowie a bath this morning. He’s totally relaxed and snoring away now, and smells lovely!

 

[FayRose]

Yes, I do have Malaseb, the vet said that would help. Thanks for your replies.

 

[Oberon]

Antihistamines, like the one you are using, can take a couple of weeks to take effect, for those who’ve tried them and not seen a quick result. It looks like the one you’re buying for Molly is the same as piriton.

Not all dogs are helped by antihistamines and sometimes one kind will help but another kind won’t. A doggie may need to try a couple, in discussion with your vet, if this one doesn’t do much after a trial period. Great to hear that it’s working for Molly though!

We use antihistamines with Obi, who gets seasonal itches, but we use Zyrtec which is less likely to cause drowsiness, as some of the older drugs like piriton can do. We give it to him daily in the spring/summer, starting before he begins to show any signs of itching.

Malaseb baths are also something we find really helpful. We wash all of him (whole body) but with an extra focus on legs, feet, around base of tail, tummy and chest.

If the itching breaks through the above treatments we go straight for the steroids.