How do I help my dog with a skin allergy?

My 9 year old dog has just developed a skin allergy so the vet says. He has put the dog on predisone and other meds like an antihistamine The predisone is the only thing that seems to be working but has side effects such as diabetes,if long term use. I%26#039;ve even tried oatmeal baths but no luck. I%26#039;ve lowered the dose of predisone because he seems to be drinking and peeing alot more. Does anyone have any other advice?|||My Lab is on an immunotherapy vaccine, an injection that she has monthly, also antihistamines when it flares up and an antiseptic cooling spray that helps to cleanse and soothe the hot spots.


She has an allergy to dust, so l have replaced all the carpets in the house to wood flooring, doesn%26#039;t hold dust like carpets, may seem a little drastic but it has helped.


Has the vet offered any advise, or any alternatives to the predisone?


Has the vet said what the allergy is to, if you know what the allergy is then you may be able to do something to help it.|||Most allergies are caused by the dogs diet. Corn and Wheat are the leading cause of allergies. Sometimes meats as well. I always recommend California Natural Herring and Sweet Potato or Wellness Whitefish and Sweet Potato. Both of them have no corn, wheat or soy. Also there%26#039;s no meat by-products and no use of animal fat.





With Science Diet Z/D there%26#039;s still soy in there. Also it%26#039;s pretty much just starch holding it together. They use powdered cellulose- sawdust. Also there is Ethoxyquin which is banned from human food b/c it is believed to be carcinogenic. =(





Also, try Instinct or Innova Evo for allergies. Great food and is one of the highest quality. Good luck and I hope something works for the doggy.|||Do you know what the dog is allergic too? Make sure you keep him on a flea preventative and bathe him in a mild shampoo. Diet plays a major role in a lot of doggie allergies. My dog eats Science diet z/d low allergen food. I think Purina also makes a low allergen food as well.





Increased urination, drinking, and eating are all side effects of pred. Have you talked to your vet about giving your dog benadryl or claritin? Is he itching a lot? You could get him an Elizabethan collar if it gets really bad





good luck!|||Talk to your vet about your dog%26#039;s diet. Consider switching to a grain-free kibble, or better yet, a raw diet. Also, refrain from any kind of perfume-laiden shampoos, which it sounds like you%26#039;re already doing. Remember never to change a dog%26#039;s diet overnight, and consult your vet first.