Allergies, Itchy Skin & Vets
Dogs Have Allergies Too
Lots of people suffer with hayfever, allergies to different foods and things such as IBS....so does Phoebe.
When we got Phoebe we didn't know that she had any allergies, not that this would matter anyway, but over the first few months we started to discover her hair was rather thin and she was starting to go bald in certain areas and very itchy. She also seemed to have quite a bad stomach as well. After numerous trips to the vets we finally got to the bottom of it all.
Vet Trips
As I mentioned before when we first got Phoebe and noticed how bad her skin was getting we went to the vets on a LOT of occasions. We became quite the regular clients, Phoebe as usual hated it, however it was a must to get her better. We were going roughly every couple of months trying out different tablets and foods to see what was wrong.
Nothing seemed to be working, if it did it was only for a little while then back to square one. Phoebe ended up on a white fist and potato diet....she was on this for just over a month, her skin started to clear up and her stomach seemed to settle - we were onto something! After our next visit to the vet we decided it was time for Phoebe to start back on normal dog food so she was getting all the right nutrients.
Now we go back to the vets twice a year, once for the usual check up and boosters and another (every 6 months) to check her skin and allergies are all under control.
Foods and Treats
Phoebe's food isn't any normal dog food like your Pedigree Chum or Bakers, this is a special diet food - Hills Prescription Diet Z/D. Although this is quite an expensive food, it worked, her stomach was back to normal and she wasn't itching as much either.
We've also found another food again it is a Hill's dog food but this is from their Science Plan range for Sensitive Stomach and Skin. We try to alternate each time we buy her food so that it isn't the same kind ALL the time, I know I would get bored of that.
However treats we have really struggled with, even just a couple of them can set off her allergies. We have found that the Misfit treats don't seem to have the same affect as the others, she doesn't get a lot anyway; one they are meant too but two this makes her stomach bad, so we are onto a winner!
Liver Cake - I think just about every dog loves it. I found a recipe on another blog and decided to give it a go - we used the gluten free flour due to Phoebe's allergies and it was so easy to make. I can say it was a definite hit! Link at the bottom
Hayfever & Allergies
Just like people, Phoebe has hayfever. Once we had her food situation sorted we still noticed that she was getting itchy. She was put on a steroid tablet to see if this helped, which it did, so once her itchiness had stopped she came off them. Her problems started in the summer, so when the winter came she didn't seem so bad, the odd itch now again more than usual but nothing to be concerned about. The spring came and Phoebe started to itch more and more making her skin red and very sore - back to the vet we go!
After seeing our usual vet he informed us that Phoebe has Hayfever, just like any person the higher he pollen count or the fresh cut grass triggered this off. He also mentioned that with Phoebe's skin condition she will be more than likely have other allergies too, so if we are washing her covers we can't use washing powder, if she is to be bathed/showered (can you imagine her letting us go near her with water) we can't use normal dog shampoo it would have to be a specialised one for sensitive skin.
To help with her skin she is now on tablets; she takes half a tablet every day and it works! Certain times of the year Phoebe does get worse, especially with the weather we have had this summer! We are able to give Phoebe a full tablet (half on a morning and half on an afternoon) if her allergies flare up and this helps keep them at bay. This means she can go out and play in the sun and go on our adventure walks with not a worry!
Does your dog suffer with any allergies? Have you found any special food or treats if they do? Comment below - we'd love to hear from you and also try new food and treats, I think the same things can get boring after a while.
Links:
Hills Science Plan Sensitive Stomach & Skin Dry Food for Adult Dogs
Hills Prescription Diet ZD Dry Food for Dogs
Liver Cake Recipe
Lots of people suffer with hayfever, allergies to different foods and things such as IBS....so does Phoebe.
When we got Phoebe we didn't know that she had any allergies, not that this would matter anyway, but over the first few months we started to discover her hair was rather thin and she was starting to go bald in certain areas and very itchy. She also seemed to have quite a bad stomach as well. After numerous trips to the vets we finally got to the bottom of it all.
 |
| I had to wear a T-Shirt to stop me itching |
Vet Trips
As I mentioned before when we first got Phoebe and noticed how bad her skin was getting we went to the vets on a LOT of occasions. We became quite the regular clients, Phoebe as usual hated it, however it was a must to get her better. We were going roughly every couple of months trying out different tablets and foods to see what was wrong.
 |
| The Cone of Shame to help stop nibbling at the itch |
Nothing seemed to be working, if it did it was only for a little while then back to square one. Phoebe ended up on a white fist and potato diet....she was on this for just over a month, her skin started to clear up and her stomach seemed to settle - we were onto something! After our next visit to the vet we decided it was time for Phoebe to start back on normal dog food so she was getting all the right nutrients.
Now we go back to the vets twice a year, once for the usual check up and boosters and another (every 6 months) to check her skin and allergies are all under control.
 |
| A happy jump from Phoebe |
Foods and Treats
Phoebe's food isn't any normal dog food like your Pedigree Chum or Bakers, this is a special diet food - Hills Prescription Diet Z/D. Although this is quite an expensive food, it worked, her stomach was back to normal and she wasn't itching as much either.
We've also found another food again it is a Hill's dog food but this is from their Science Plan range for Sensitive Stomach and Skin. We try to alternate each time we buy her food so that it isn't the same kind ALL the time, I know I would get bored of that.
 |
| Skin is so much better |
However treats we have really struggled with, even just a couple of them can set off her allergies. We have found that the Misfit treats don't seem to have the same affect as the others, she doesn't get a lot anyway; one they are meant too but two this makes her stomach bad, so we are onto a winner!
Liver Cake - I think just about every dog loves it. I found a recipe on another blog and decided to give it a go - we used the gluten free flour due to Phoebe's allergies and it was so easy to make. I can say it was a definite hit! Link at the bottom
 |
| Yummy Liver Cake |
Hayfever & Allergies
Just like people, Phoebe has hayfever. Once we had her food situation sorted we still noticed that she was getting itchy. She was put on a steroid tablet to see if this helped, which it did, so once her itchiness had stopped she came off them. Her problems started in the summer, so when the winter came she didn't seem so bad, the odd itch now again more than usual but nothing to be concerned about. The spring came and Phoebe started to itch more and more making her skin red and very sore - back to the vet we go!
 |
| Waiting at the vets |
After seeing our usual vet he informed us that Phoebe has Hayfever, just like any person the higher he pollen count or the fresh cut grass triggered this off. He also mentioned that with Phoebe's skin condition she will be more than likely have other allergies too, so if we are washing her covers we can't use washing powder, if she is to be bathed/showered (can you imagine her letting us go near her with water) we can't use normal dog shampoo it would have to be a specialised one for sensitive skin.
 |
| Phoebe can play on the grass with no worries |
To help with her skin she is now on tablets; she takes half a tablet every day and it works! Certain times of the year Phoebe does get worse, especially with the weather we have had this summer! We are able to give Phoebe a full tablet (half on a morning and half on an afternoon) if her allergies flare up and this helps keep them at bay. This means she can go out and play in the sun and go on our adventure walks with not a worry!
 |
| Phoebe's Adventures can continue |
Does your dog suffer with any allergies? Have you found any special food or treats if they do? Comment below - we'd love to hear from you and also try new food and treats, I think the same things can get boring after a while.
Lots of licks from Phoebe xx
Links:
Hills Science Plan Sensitive Stomach & Skin Dry Food for Adult Dogs
Hills Prescription Diet ZD Dry Food for Dogs
Liver Cake Recipe
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