Yup, another pet thread (Katie? Jas? Apro? dog lovers?)

Steph0871 · August 2010

Ok, few questions...

1. Puppy allergies? Vet said Benadryl is fine, but I'm a little hesitant still. She also didn't specify whether to get the baby stuff or adult stuff? Any experiences? The poor puppy is scratching and sneezy like crazy.

2. Dog food. What was that link again that compares all the dog foods? I think we're going to start mixing in Blue Buffalo with his current stuff (Purina One.)

3. Bad breath. Holy. crap. Our dog finally went from puppy bread to awful dog breath. What actually works??

kd.joseph · August 2010

Sorry Steph I'm no help with dogs. Maybe you should raise the Katie/Jas/Cher flag.

Steph0871 · August 2010

good point...

pirategal03 · August 2010

Bendryl is fine. We usually get the generic pills and give just one. I'm not sure how much your dog weighs, but starting with a baby dose may be good if its small, or if you're worried.

(baby asprin is also ok for dogs)

Here's a link to some info you may want to read

pirategal03 · August 2010

Oh and, I've got nothing for 2. or 3.

kd.joseph · August 2010

And obviously Pirate? Who knew?

npasquale16 · August 2010

I can usually find dosage info online or call the vet to make sure, but I think my vet says adult formula is fine.

My vet recommends Greenies for dental hygiene, but my dog will not take them and they made my friend's dog sick. they have a ton of products on the market, but my vet recommends brushing (which Bax won't allow) and chewing hard toys to scrape off the plaque/bacteria.

aprovencher21 · August 2010

Benedryal is fine. Typical dosing is 1mg per 1lb. You can start with less and see how your pup responds. My 11lb dachshund is on benedryal during the spring and fall for allergies. We use the generic adult kind.

Dog food.....I use Proplan, some Iams and then I make a majority of it myself. I'm strange like that.

For bad breath I use these enzyme chew sticks from the vet's office. They fight the stinky bacteria.

katiewhompus · August 2010

Benadryl is often used for dog allergies. Did he say if it was pollen type allergies or food type allergies?

Blue Buffalo rocks Which blend is he getting? Is it Wilderness or the usual one?

Our vet recommended Greenies after Katie's dental. The fleece toys also really help. Toothbrushing is also great if the dog will allow it. Katie looooves the beef flavored toothpaste and since it is enzymatic as long as it gets on the teeth it helps, you don't always have to brush.

Does he eat his poop? A lot of times that can cause the bad breath. If so try putting some pineapple into his food and it will help. Feeding Blue probably will also help.

aprovencher21 · August 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_yup-another-pet-thread?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:17Discussion:1f443736-6ce9-4dfe-84dd-be87e1f42980Post:a4e75560-c911-42bb-b543-ecdf0f37b552">Re: Yup, another pet thread (Katie? Jas? Apro? dog lovers?)</a>:
[QUOTE]Benadryl is often used for dog allergies. Did he say if it was pollen type allergies or food type allergies? Blue Buffalo rocks :) Which blend is he getting? Is it Wilderness or the usual one? Our vet recommended Greenies after Katie's dental. The fleece toys also really help. Toothbrushing is also great if the dog will allow it. Katie looooves the beef flavored toothpaste and since it is enzymatic as long as it gets on the teeth it helps, you don't always have to brush. Does he eat his poop? A lot of times that can cause the bad breath. If so try putting some pineapple into his food and it will help. Feeding Blue probably will also help.
Posted by katiewhompus[/QUOTE]

Totally forgot about the poop eating. Pineapple works wonders for that. If for some reason that doesn't stop the behavior (if your pup even does that) the vet has cheap pills that make the poop taste like shiit.

kd.joseph · August 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_yup-another-pet-thread?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:17Discussion:1f443736-6ce9-4dfe-84dd-be87e1f42980Post:8061bea9-5a8c-4238-b090-19f55e1ae915">Re: Yup, another pet thread (Katie? Jas? Apro? dog lovers?)</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Yup, another pet thread (Katie? Jas? Apro? dog lovers?) : Totally forgot about the poop eating. Pineapple works wonders for that. If for some reason that doesn't stop the behavior (if your pup even does that) the vet has cheap pills that make the poop taste like shiit.
Posted by aprovencher21[/QUOTE]

This made me laugh.

Steph0871 · August 2010

oh, the allergy thing is just our guess. We had discussed it with the vet a few weeks ago at his last appointment. She said Golden's are more susceptible to seasonal allergies?

We're not sure which mix to give him from the Blue Buffalo line. He's only 6 months old, but he's not growing anywhere near as quickly as he was anymore. I think we'd still like to give him the puppy stuff, but FI is in love with the Wilderness variety... pretty sure that's only because it has a wolf on the bag.

Greenie's haven't worked for him. He either ignores it or just swallows it (almost) whole. dork. I'm hoping his bad breath will calm down once he's done teething?

npasquale16 · August 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_yup-another-pet-thread?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:17Discussion:1f443736-6ce9-4dfe-84dd-be87e1f42980Post:8061bea9-5a8c-4238-b090-19f55e1ae915">Re: Yup, another pet thread (Katie? Jas? Apro? dog lovers?)</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Yup, another pet thread (Katie? Jas? Apro? dog lovers?) : Totally forgot about the poop eating. Pineapple works wonders for that. If for some reason that doesn't stop the behavior (if your pup even does that) the vet has cheap pills that make the poop taste like shiit.
Posted by aprovencher21[/QUOTE]
Ha. No pun intended.

Steph0871 · August 2010

haha apro

I don't think he's eating his poop. He's kenneled all day, and usually poops before leave and when we get home. I doubt he's pooping again during the day and eating it? He's never shown interest in his own poop or other dog's poop either.

thank god.

katiewhompus · August 2010

Wilderness is very good. If you don't want to go Wilderness I would suggest Large Breed Puppy then transfer him to one of the Adult formulas once he's 1. Did he just recently start itching and sneezing with a weather change or has it been constant? A lot of dogs have been turning up with chicken allergies so getting off a chicken food may help with that too.

PetraStonegirl · August 2010

ETA: sorry this is so long.

I've spent many years caring for large and small animals, and this is from my experience. I am not a vet.

I am currently treating my absentee roommate's dog, for severe seasonal allergies. She has taken Benedryl and is now on Clorpheniramine Maleate. Both are simply OTC antihistamines, but you have to ask the pharmacist for the second one, it's not on the shelves. Both are perfectly safe for dogs. With a dog less than ~35 lbs, I'd consult with the vet for the appropriate dosage. Dogs over ~35 lbs can take a regular adult dose, but I'd consult with a vet before giving the maximum adult dose (2 tablets of Benedryl at a time, for example).

If your puppy was playing anywhere that there might have been a plant or other irritant that they were exposed to, treat with a bath using a soothing shampoo like oatmeal ASAP, to remove the irritant from the fur and skin. If this is a seasonal allergy and the OTC antihistamine is not doing the job, re-consult the vet. They might decide that a low-dose, short-term steroid like Temaril P will give your pup a chance to get through the worst of the allergies.

However, if that route is chosen, be aware that the steroid can cause abnormal thirstiness and a temporary loss of bladder control, that resolves itself when the medication round is finished. I find that a cheap shower curtain between a dog's regular bedding and a cheap blanket is the best way to deal with it. You toss the blanket in the wash and only have to wipe down the shower curtain with very mild bleach solution.

I will throw something else out there. Most vets are more than happy to consult over the phone about medication options for a pet that they have already seen for that problem. This saves a tremendous amount of money over the years. If you have a vet who refuses to phone consult (for a specific problem they've already examined the pet for, like allergies), find a new vet. If the vet wants you to come in because they think something else may be the cause and they need to draw blood or something fine, but if it's just tweaking Fido's over-the-counter allergy med, they should be willing to phone consult.

ETA: 2) I don't have the link but Blue Buffalo is awesome.

3) Young puppies shouldn't have bad breath. This is usually not enough time to develop much tartar. Give them lots of toys to chew, particularly rope toys. But, check for infections or abscesses just in case. I'd also recommend brushing your dogs teeth weekly, at minimum. Daily is better.

Steph0871 · August 2010

awesome, thanks ladies!

He's been sneezing and itching the last month and a half or so? (Right about when my allergies starting kicking my ass, too.... all of a sudden, the pollen counts have been through the roof here- not sure if it's the same for dogs?)

I'll pick up some Benadryl on the way home tomorrow.

I don't think it's a plant or anything- he's not intent on any one spot or anything?

Sounds like Blue Buffalo is the best to try! I'm waiting for my coupon

aaand petra- he's about 6 months old. He doesn't have horrible breath, just normal bad dog breath. I was checking out his teeth, and all 4 of his canines are coming in at the same time. They looked red and sore, so maybe they're a little infected? I'll see how it progresses this week, I think.

Thanks again!

ArizonaHikingFan · August 2010

Hi Steph -
I have a dachshund that has allergy issues from time to time and she has tolerated the generic drugstore brand of Benadryl just fine. Be sure to purchase the tablet, not the caplet kind, that way it's easier if you need to give the dog a pill and a half, or something like that. Your vet should be able to recommend a dosage.

As a minor warning, diphenhydramine hydrochloride (that's the generic chemical name for Benadryl) acts as a diuretic, which means your pup is going to need more water. Make sure you've got plenty available for him/her. You might be able to encourage an increase in the water intake by offering an ice cube as a treat - some pups go crazy for licking those up and chasing them across the floor. It's pretty entertaining to watch, too.

Regarding food - there is a chance your dog could have a corn allergy, or a wheat allergy. This is a major pain to figure out though, because you need to have your dog on a food that's corn-free, wheat-free, etc for about 3 months to know the full effects. Your vet could give you some advice on that as well.

What helped my dachshund slightly (and might work for your dog) was when it was bedtime, and she was going to be inside and settled for the night, I dampened an old washcloth with warm water and wiped down her underbelly and paws, especially the bottoms of the feet. There could be grass or pollen particles of something she's allergic to and that could be aggravating the situation.

If you have a hound-type dog with floppy ears, you might want to check them and see if there's gunk in there. Sometimes that can mess with dog allergies as well. I clean my dog's ears once a week, but she's a compulsive digger, so you may not need to do it so frequently.

For the bad breath, you could try rawhide chews, those can assist in cleaning the nooks and crannies around the teeth. If it's persistent though, you might want to check and make sure something didn't randomly get stuck between teeth/gums and is causing decay or infection.

Good luck! I hope your pup feels better.

Jelenny · August 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_yup-another-pet-thread?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:17Discussion:1f443736-6ce9-4dfe-84dd-be87e1f42980Post:e45f3b54-d7ee-4196-8b3f-e23d7404e581">Yup, another pet thread (Katie? Jas? Apro? dog lovers?)</a>:
[QUOTE]Ok, few questions... 1. Puppy allergies? Vet said Benadryl is fine, but I'm a little hesitant still. She also didn't specify whether to get the baby stuff or adult stuff?
Typically it is the adult stuff...did the vet tell you the dosage? For my pooch who was roughly 50lb she got two benadryl tabs...when that didn't work depending on how bad the allergy cycle is Sweet Pea had licked herself raw, she ended up doing a prednisone taper. What worked even better was a steroid shot which tapers naturally, no pill popping but steroids do make the dogs drink and pee more. So if just benadryl doesn't do the trick maybe ask about a steroid to help break the cycle.

2. Dog food. What was that link again that compares all the dog foods? I think we're going to start mixing in Blue Buffalo with his current stuff (Purina One.)
I don't know the link, I will have to do research I MAY have it book marked at home. There are a lot of things in food the dogs could be allergic to. The two most common are corn and chicken...so anything with poultry or poultry by-product or chicken. Purina One I believe has both of them. Blue Buffalo is good, so is Nature's Recipe (my personal dog is on Nature's Recipe). Some of those foods do use some chicken, so just read the label.

Give that food a go (don't make too many changes or you can't pin down what the allergy is if it is food). If you tend to get skin stuff, anal gland or ear issues and the pooch has not been eating corn or chicken odds are it is a grain allergy. Evo makes a good grain free food as does California Natural...I only know this since one of my fosters now is allergic to chicken, corn, and grain...

3. Bad breath. Holy. crap. Our dog finally went from puppy bread to awful dog breath. What actually works??
Does your dog have a bone to chew on? Raw hides I am not a personal fan of, and they get "gooey" but beef bones - not raw hide, compressed, etc actual bone. That helps them clean their teeth. Sometimes you may have to do a dental cleaning then follow up with other things that allow them to natually clean their teeth and you can step in to brush. One foster was not a year old and had NASTY teeth, they got cleaned *his breath was rancid* and he gladly chews on bones and no more stinky breath...
Posted by Steph0871[/QUOTE]

missy68 · August 2010

The Wilderness (if it's the one I'm thinking of) Blue Buffalo may have too much protein in it if he's still a puppy. Put him on the puppy food version and he should start gaining weight. Per vet advice, we switched Max over at 10 months, since he was neutered and already at 60 lbs. He'll fill out a little more, but not pack on the pounds like he was.

Benadryl works wonders. He gets one occasionally when his eyes are watery from the grasses and weeds outside. Sometimes I give him 2 (which would be a normal dose for him).

Also, if you tend to give table scraps, I think that contributes to bad breath, comparing my dogs. And Max has always had rawhides - we talked to the vet about them, and just went big instead of puppy size. Teeth are sparkly white.

Yup, another pet thread (Katie? Jas? Apro? dog lovers?)

Re: Yup, another pet thread (Katie? Jas? Apro? dog lovers?)

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