Re: Red Skin and Hives

Posted by: Heather Reid
Posted on: December 19, 2000 at 22:58:01

In Reply to: Red Skin and Hives
Posted by: Chris Meiser
Posted on: December 19, 2000 at 19:04:54

Question:

: Our five year old smooth coat male JRT goes through several bouts a year of severe scratching due to hives and red, irritated skin. The scratching is severe enough that it can cause bleeding to his skin. The hives eventually scab and heal. He also tends to lose some hair during the worst outbreaks.

: When the symptoms occur, we immediately take him to the vet, who has prescribed steroid shots, benedryl pills, and special shampoos. These seem to lessen the symptoms, but we have yet to find any cause. I have read several postings of similar issues with other JRTs on your website - yet none seem have noted a success story. (We found the problem, and it was _____.)

: We don't have any flea problems. We use a good dog food. (We even switched food at one point to see if this was the problem.) He receives monthly flea and heartworm medication. We've experimented with diet changes, have eliminated occasional table scraps, we don't give him raw hides, etc. Still, the symptoms come back. We don't what else to eliminate!

: I am wondering if anyone has found a resolution to similar skin ailments that we can use as a starting point? We hate to see him with the associated discomfort. Any ideas or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

------------------ Response Area -------------------
Hi Chris,
I wrote a reply to a post earlier today entitled "Allergies." Please check it out. Allergy testing is the same course I would follow with your dog.
I will finish the sentence you wrote above. My dog's symptoms were bloody diarrhea, vomitting and skin irriations to the point of hair loss and bleeding. "We found the problem, and it was" food allergies, most violently rice. We had switched to premium brands of dog food, several of them. A quality diet is very, very important, but they don't work for all dogs. If you dog is still being exposed through diet to things he is allergic to, he will still show a reaction. It can become worse with repeated exposure. Quality isn't a huge factor in allergies; ingredients are. He could also be allergic to any number of things you haven't changed or can't change, like grass, your carpet... you name it, dogs (and humans) can develop allergies to it. Your best bet is to find out exactly what is causing these reactions (hives are a hystamine reaction in most cases) and go from there.
Good luck!
Heather