My 5 year old pitbull has had terrible allergies his whole life. Once spring time comes, it's even worse. He was on benedryl for years and now has been on Apoquel for probably 6 months to year (I honestly can't remember how long exactly he's been on Apoquel). It helps but it is extremely expensive ($70 for 30 pills). Unfortunately, I have not been able to refill his prescription this past week. But I also think in the winter time, he should be able to go back to benedryl and monitoring his itchiness.
However, he is already getting soooo red and itchy. His feet and between toes are so red and he's licking them often. I have been giving him benedryl, gave him a medicated shampoo bath (something from vet for itching) and sometimes apply hydrocortizone to his skin where it's red.
He originally got on the Apoquel because I took him to the vet and his allergies were so bad he was red literally ALL over, had some cracking/bleeding skin and hives. Poor guy
he had never been that bad before, so I'm not sure what triggered the reaction.
I don't know specifically what his allergies are, but I try to stay away from grains and chicken in his food. But I just realized his new food Nutro grain free salmon has flipping chicken meal in it so don't know if that's causing his issues or just something in the air, or maybe he is allergic to the cats? I have no idea.
I'm just trying to see if anyone has an suggestions to help soothe his skin along with the benedryl? I hate that he is so itchy/irritated feeling. I am considering changing his food to something else (grain free, free of chicken) but I worry about buying a bag and him hating it. I just want to help his allergies and try to find the cause (without getting an allergy test). If he doesn't get better, I will get him back on the Apoquel as it does help but if I could figure out how to keep him feeling well, without medicine, that'd be awesome. Any insight or suggestions would be appreciated!
Thank you!
However, he is already getting soooo red and itchy. His feet and between toes are so red and he's licking them often. I have been giving him benedryl, gave him a medicated shampoo bath (something from vet for itching) and sometimes apply hydrocortizone to his skin where it's red.
He originally got on the Apoquel because I took him to the vet and his allergies were so bad he was red literally ALL over, had some cracking/bleeding skin and hives. Poor guy
I don't know specifically what his allergies are, but I try to stay away from grains and chicken in his food. But I just realized his new food Nutro grain free salmon has flipping chicken meal in it so don't know if that's causing his issues or just something in the air, or maybe he is allergic to the cats? I have no idea.
I'm just trying to see if anyone has an suggestions to help soothe his skin along with the benedryl? I hate that he is so itchy/irritated feeling. I am considering changing his food to something else (grain free, free of chicken) but I worry about buying a bag and him hating it. I just want to help his allergies and try to find the cause (without getting an allergy test). If he doesn't get better, I will get him back on the Apoquel as it does help but if I could figure out how to keep him feeling well, without medicine, that'd be awesome. Any insight or suggestions would be appreciated!
Thank you!