Poor Heart!  You know, I'm surprised, with her sensitivity, that she has not been placed on Benedryl.  My mom has had 2 dogs (1 very large and 1 small) that have both used the pill form successfully.  The dog currently using Benedryl is allergic to a grass she has in the backyard; he chews his paws and stomach allllllllll day long without medication.  I will keep Heart in my prayers -- and you, too, of course!

 I hope Heart is ok and that the doctor was able to get to the bottom of it all. I know my poodle has had hot spots every now and again and she licks them raw.

Deb...

 

Heart is a special dog and you are so giving-careing, my prayers are with both of you today.

 

Deb az in Indiana

Dearest ALl who are so good to Heart to follow so closely, to allll my readers incllludign those who don't post, here is the update:

The dermatologist has an excellent practice.  It wss just like at my personal physician's, Peter's, office, EVERYTHING checked with a big team of practitioenrs.

She does have allergies, BUT IT'S NOT BEDBUGS.  Yay, so I can keep my possessions!!!  It was fascinating to  reallize that besides textiles tht I can wash in hot water (eliminating bedbugs), I only needed to keep my Bible & computer (could substitute new ones).

An allergy test is being performed.  There are 3 possiblities, not mutually  exclllusive:  flea bites on teh sidewalk or in the Park (she hss no fleas on her body, from the oral medication that she takes); dust mites (the vet assures me that it doesn't matter HOW OFTEN you vacuumm or wash linens; in tgeh cleanest house you can have mites); &/or pollen.   She will need injections life-long.  Due to my tremor, oru Traiiner will have to administer the injections.

Yours in Him, Deb

Dear Jillibean, Brandy, Martha MFI, DMC, Gayla, Just Me, Mommatothree, Seaturtle,, Just Plucky, Sunshine Treva, Kabin, & Deb in AZ/IN, Thank you so much for yoru empathy.  Love in Him, Deb

Dear Mommatothree, Heart is on a special anti-allergy diet called Call of the Wild -- anti-oxidant produce, no grains, & venison & bison meat.  Love iin Hiim, Deb

Dear Seaturtle, I am SO GLAD that your companion animals are there to center you.  Love in Him, Deb

Thank you for the update! 

Until the results are received and discussed by professionals ~ injections may not be the route?  It could be a pill, like benedryl (I don't know the spelling, but others above have written it).  I had forgotten, but our poodle gets benedryl each day (or on an as-need basis).  It's over-the-counter and not too expensive. 

My aunt had a poodle that had diabetis (again, I don't know the spelling) and he needed shots each day.  My aunt never had children, was somewhat spoiled but learned how to do the injections, which even surprised her! 

It's great that you've found more professionals that you can trust and respect.  That's more than half of any battle!

Whew!~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~still sending loving and prayers.

Dear JustMe, I forgot to say -- the vet put her on antibiotics till her infections clear, & corticosteroids till the injections start.  Love in him, Deb

Deborahmichelle:

She does have allergies, BUT IT'S NOT BEDBUGS.  Yay, so I can keep my possessions!!!  It was fascinating to  reallize that besides textiles tht I can wash in hot water (eliminating bedbugs), I only needed to keep my Bible & computer (could substitute new ones).

I'm glad to see its not bedbugs. Dr. Oz is on right now talking about this problem. Hopefully you will find the cause & cure and Heart & you will be happy.

Good to hear its possibly something easier to handle Deb.

Good luck and keep us in the know!

That's good news, Deb! But unfortunately you're finding out that pets (even service pets) can be expensive. I hope you can get some relief for what most likely are expensive doctor visits and meds.

For Heart's overall skin condition you could try giving her fish oil pills. Bailey takes them every day. We give them to Diego because he insists he needs them too, although he doesn't. The dosage we're using is one pill per 10 pounds of weight per day (for example, Bailey used to weigh 80 pounds and got 8 pills during the course of the day - 4 in the morning and 4 at night). This will temporarily give her fish breath while they're digesting, so you might want to keep her breath away from your nose.

Jill

So happy to hear the allergies are manageable, for both you and Heart. Oh what a nice vet's office it sounds like you have. It makes all the difference. We have a very loving vet here, and it makes a world of difference, doesn't it? I hope you can release some of the worry now (((((deb and heart))))))