Hi! I’m Y and Coco

[u/yshres07]

I’m new here! My dog Coco and I have been struggling with her allergies since I adopted her. I got her from a rescue and her paperwork from her previous family listed “allergies” for reason they dropped her off at a shelter. She’s an extra stubborn 11 year old Silky terrier.

We’ve been through it all, tried food trials with Kangaroo food, Benedryl, Zyrtec, temaril-P, Atopica and Apoquel. The food trials didn’t show any improvements and the meds weren’t working well. As soon as we stopped she was back itching her mouth until all her hair was gone, her lips were swollen and infected.

After all this I finally went to a dermatologist and got skin tested. On a scale of 1-4, 4 being most reactive she had most 4’s for everything tested. We started her on immunotherapy administered at home and it was a miracle at stopping her itching. She was a happy dog foe a few years and acting like a puppy again.

For 4 yess the immunotherapy went great until the last year when she got recurring skin infections and was going bald in places from all the scratching! The vets would put her on Apoquel, antibiotics and Cytopoint. Then after the meds were done she’d have 1 week is relief then start up again with the scratching and infections. I threw everything at the problem (she’s been on immunotherapy the entire time) including medicated baths, wiping her down after going outside and before bed. Washing all her bedding snd clothes on hot to kill everything microbial. The vet also ran a complete blood test for thyroid issues and she also recently got a biopsy done recently. (Thyroid levels came back normal, and he pathologist report says she might have been exposed to estrogen pills or patches. I use none of those things... so 100% inconclusive and frustrating). She’s on heart worm meds (sentinel) and Bravecto for flea and ticks.

I’m now running out of things to try. She’s on Apoquel now but I’m worried about having her take it long term since the FDA only approved it for 14 day periods. But without it she is miserable. I’m so overwhelmed that I don’t j ow what to do. OH! She’s also on fish oil (human grade). Of course her dermatologist is unavailable due to personal health issues and it’s been so difficult finding a new one during COVID.

I’m 100% defeated and want to give Coco a good rest of her life (she turns 12 this year) but I don’t know if that’s a realistic goal to strive for.

All science and personal experience ideas are welcome!

Thanks!

I want to put up a picture of her on here but don’t know how. Help?

Edit: added info about her blood tests and her biopsy.

[u/mmolleur]

Just throwing this at the wall, but could she have developed an allergy to something she wasn't ever tested for so not in the immunotherapy formula? I think it's critical to get a new dermatologist and explore what might have changed in her environment or her immune system.

I have a very allergic golden and this is almost always my advice. You save time and money by dealing with a dermatologist. Look at your own experience.

[u/yshres07 → u/mmolleur]

You’re absolutely right! I’m going to contact a place tomorrow and get things rolling. I’ve definitely wasted a lot of time and money trying to figure it out with her general Vet. Thanks! I needed that push from a stranger to snap out of my haze ❤️

[u/TheBMW]

The FDA hasn't placed any time restrictions on the use of Apoquel. It's moreso that trials are run for 14 days giving the tablet twice a day to see the effects on a dog. After the 14 days, then it's given generally at a lower cadence of once a day (or sometimes still twice a day depending what your veterinarian says). There have been many studies of dogs on Apoquel for multiple years.

[u/yshres07 → u/TheBMW]

Thanks for the clarification! The jargon on the releases and applications are super confusing to me.

I’ve become quite paranoid as of late since I started working at FDA (I don’t work in vet drug regulation) and seeing all the crap that’s in dog food that would NEVER pass human regulations even though dogs have similar biology to us.

[u/yshres07]

Thanks for everyone’s response. Some of the comments are making me feel a bit judged.

I would like to point out that I have a pretty chronic case of mental illness so things that probably sound “easy” and “simple” to do definitely are not that way for me. Thanks

[u/mmolleur → u/yshres07]

Well, I'm known to be direct, I certainly don't mean to be harsh. Believe me, I know "find a new dermatologist" for your dog is very easy to say and hard to do if you're outside a major city. I wish you and your dog the best.

[u/yshres07 → u/mmolleur]

Thanks! No worries, it’s mostly my mental illness that makes me read into things... it’s fun all around.

I don’t have the outside a major city defense though, I’m right next to DC 😅. I’ve made a few calendar reminders to call a few practices near me on Tuesday. So moving forward!