Dear Dr. Forsythe: My terrier “Renshaw” is having terrible itching and scratching problems again this spring. He seems to get this a few times a year, but in his fout years, it has gotten worse and worse to the point he is licking and chewing constantly unless he is asleep. He literally chews on his toes until they almost bleed, and although I use flea treatment every month and keep him bathed, he is just miserable. We have him on a special food in case he is sensitive to something, but I have resisted allergy testing because I don’t want to give him shots. Can you think of something other than steroids that could help?
Renee, Sonoma
Dear Renee: There is no longer a need to resist having your pet go through allergy testing because you are worried about giving him allergy shots all the time. There have been some incredible advances in the science of atopy (allergy) suffering in pets, and there are some big improvements in the delivery of the solution.
I recommend blood testing for the presence of IgE (Immunoglobulin E) in pets that present just like yours — those who have pretty severe cases of itching and scratching and are miserable for prolonged periods of time despite being treated preventatively for fleas. IgE are molecules that your dog or cat’s immune system form in response to stimulation by a multitude of things in the environment: everything from dust mites to grasses to pollen to airborne molecules that would cause humans to get “hay fever”.
The science is very credible and the results are remarkably accurate. But the real advancements as of late involve what we do after we receive the results of the blood test telling us all the things that Renshaw (or Fido or Fifi) are allergic to according to their IgE levels reported for the different household antigens, grasses, weeds, trees, and other environmental triggers that commonly cause pets skin problems.
If the test is positive, we can treat the pet with custom made sterile super concentrated serum drops that the owner places into their pet’s mouth once a day. These drops (which take the place of injections that used to be necessary) gradually lessen the animals sensitivity to the plants and irritants in question. The oral delivery system means that it’s much easier and less traumatic for owners to treat the pet. This has lead to much better compliance, less time taking the dog or cat back into the veterinary hospital for follow ups and veterinary support, and overall improvement in results for allergy sufferers.
So in light of this improved delivery system (oral dosing rather than daily or weekly allergy shots) I would urge you to get Renshaw tested and on his way to a less itchy, “more comfortable in his skin” self.
Pets are so tolerant. Every day in my hospital I am truly amazed at how little these patients ask of us. Dogs typically put up with so much itchiness and discomfort that people could never go through. When I think of how stoic they are and how effective our allergy treatments have become, it makes me very passionate about educating all pet owners to be aware of skin problems with their dog or cat and seeking help from their vet to alleviate their pet’s discomfort. We have the ability and a convenient way to make the pet feel better, it is only a phone call away.
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