Allergies or something else?

anabanana · 11-21-2012, 08:31 PM

Help!! My 6 month old pit bull Keeba is sick! She has allergies (well, what we think are allergies) all over her skin. She has red bumps all over her back, legs, and neck. They are huge and now she has little hair where the bumps are. They itch a lot and sometimes end up bleeding, and now the bumps are inflamed. She has had a fever for the past day -- nothing major--, but she is also not eating as much as she used to. In fact, she barely eats.

The vet gave her a shot a few months ago and the bumps disappeared, but then appeared again three weeks ago. This time, when the vet gave her the shot, it had no effect on her. We have already switched her foods and bathed her and done everything we can think of, but she is just not getting better.
Any ideas what it might be or what we can do to help?

BullyGal · 11-21-2012, 08:46 PM

What foods have you tried? How much time does she spend outside?

My rescue has bad flea allergies and all it takes is one bite and she starts to break out. So if your dog gets bit once while playing outside that could be your culprit. And if you use a flea med that kill the flea once they bite then you won't actually see any on her.

anabanana · 11-21-2012, 09:05 PM

I only take her outside when I walk her and to do her necessities... that's basically it.
I have given her Purina and nature's choice so far.

hotchkiss (Got the BAN STICK) · 11-21-2012, 09:14 PM

My pups had the same problem a few years back. I don't know what exactly worked, -- we made so many dramatic changes that we were never able to pinpoint the cure -- but these are some of the things we did:

1) started feeding them all raw foods. If there is a butcher close to where you live, they'll sell you bags of the scrap red meat for very cheap. By the cheap chicken parts (don't boil or cook the bones). Add soy beans to every meal for filler (don't feed them any grains: wheat, corn and meal cause allergies in almost all dogs [ironic because they're in almost every dogfood with the exception of high end brands]).

2) Wipe her down with rubbing alcohol in the evening, especially on the belly and privates. It kills parasites, fungus and bacteria, but it's not toxic to the dog.

3) Put a half clove of chopped garlic in the dog's raw food twice a week. It's eliminates intestinal worms, kills skin bacteria and improves their immune system. Don't use garlic powder.

4) Wash your dog with Dr. Bonners. It is an all natural shampoo that won't irritate their skin. If you want perfume for him, rub some almond oil through his skin.

5) Wash the dog's bedding twice a week.

Though it's rare, I had a dog get impetigo. It probably isn't the case, but it does seem strange that the size of the bumps get so large and that they bled.

anabanana · 11-21-2012, 09:38 PM

thank you, I'll be sure to try it out

Cain's Mom · 11-21-2012, 09:43 PM

There are threads about feeding raw so you can research before you do it if you are thinking of switching. I haven't done raw but read bits about it. They also make grain free kibble which is what some people do.

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EckoMac · 11-21-2012, 09:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cain's Mom

There are threads about feeding raw so you can research before you do it if you are thinking of switching. I haven't done raw but read bits about it. They also make grain free kibble which is what some people do.

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You can't just throw meat in a bowl and call it a meal. Research before switching. But raw will def help. If you aren't ready to put that much into it, you could probably find a grain free kibble that may help. Shoot for something fishy.

anabanana · 11-22-2012, 01:19 AM

okay thank you

yeah i've read about the raw meat, a lot of people have mentioned it

anabanana · 11-22-2012, 01:20 AM

i will try that, thanks

ooh do you know of any medicines i can give her for fever??

**ames** · 11-22-2012, 02:53 AM

have you tried Benadryl for the alergies? get off Purina, thats McDonald's for dogs, not good. Go with a grain free and research RAW before just giving meat.

What Fever? Do you know she has one? Dogs are typically 102 degrees so they feel warm to us humans.

anabanana · 11-22-2012, 05:41 PM

yeah, she definitely had a fever. And I will, thanks

**Kingsgurl** · 11-22-2012, 07:17 PM

Do you have pictures? Did the vet diagnose it as allergies? Is there hair loss associated with it? Environmental allergies are actually much more common than food allergies, though feeding really good foods boosts the immune system. If she has open sores or pustules (secondary skin infection), she may need something to get that under control before you see improvement, even if the offending allergen (be it food or environmental has been removed. Good luck!

jayandlacy · 11-22-2012, 11:40 PM

I suggest going to the vet. It sounds like allergies, but it also sounds like an active skin infection from the allergies. You will probably need an antibiotic med for her and a medicated special shampoo.

My dog Kaos had seasonal allergies but has outgrown them, has flea allergies, and a sensitivity to grainy dog food. Maybe try just using a quality grain free food, benadryl, and whatever the vet gives you. If theres a flea allergy makes sure you keep the flea treatment consistant. Hope this helps, allergies suck!

anabanana · 11-24-2012, 01:52 AM

Yeah we took her to the vet and he just gave her a shot and switched her food, so... yeah

Lacy Lou · 11-26-2012, 11:37 PM

My Amstaff had what sounds like the same problem your puppy has when I got her at a year old, a grain allergy. I pretty much had to go through all of the premium foods at the local pet shop and finallly found Solid Gold. Grew all of her fur back, and now at five, looks great.