Allergy Shots Not Helping Yet and Skin Getting Worse
by Stacie
(Holiday, Florida, U.S.)
Reader Question
My dog is a german shepherd/labrador/husky mix, 10 years old who started having allergy problems about 4 years ago. At first it was just inflamed, itchy skin. The vet started treating her with Steroid shots which helped for several months at the start. I also bathed her with a medicated shampoo. After about 2 years, the shots almost completely stopped working and she would have flareups treated by Ciprflaxin or Cephalexin antibiotics. The she had a couple of ear infections, which was treated with liquid antibiotic drops in her ears. About a year ago, the steroid shots just completely stopped helping and her skin got progressively worse. The doctor said she needed to be tested for allergies so we did that about 4 months ago. When the allergy tests came back I started her on a dog food that didn't contain any of the foods she was allergic to because the vet wanted to see if that would cure her without further treatment. That made no difference at all, she continued to get worse. So a month ago, we had the allergy shots made for her, hoping that would cure her. Now, she's been getting the shots since March 1st, today is the last shot with the 1st vial and she has just continued to get worse. Her skin is horribly inflamed and she has sores on her face, her paws and now has a yellow discharged coming from both
eyes. I know I have to get her back to the vet but I don't feel our vet is equipped for this. Everything she has tried has not worked and still when we were there on the 1st and she was having a flareup she told me to give her benadryl and a bath which I have told her over and over do nothing. My dog also has a horrible odor to her that seems to just emanate from her skin. Even after a bath the smell is just as strong, it's almost enough to make you sick to your stomach. I am really at the end of my rope here. I have spent thousands of dollars on this the last 4 years and I don't know where to turn next. Can you please help me with this.
Answer from Our Team
Allergy shots often take 3 to 12 months to work, so a month in is too early to judge them. Specialists recommend at least a year. Diets chosen from blood allergy tests also aren't a reliable way to test for food allergy; a strict prescription elimination diet is.
The worsening sores, strong odor and eye discharge suggest infection that needs treating now. Ask for a referral to a veterinary dermatologist, who can treat the infections, control the itch with newer medicines while the shots take effect, and check the eyes.
See dog allergies.
This is general information, not a diagnosis. Please follow your own vet's advice.
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