seasonal allergies

any of your frenchies have seasonal allergies? my mooi has a runny nose, is a bit congested (this morning he was swallowing some phlegm after he woke up), and has itchy paws which he licks all the time. his food hasn't changed, so that in conjunction with the change of weather, makes me think it's pollen. any advice on how i can reduce the itching (i think he can cope with the runny eyes and nose)?

Hi Kasia, wow you seem to keep having issues with Mooi. Where did you get him? (breeder)
What is Mooi eating now?
He is very sensetive to alot of things eh. Poor little guy.
Have you given him the essential oils in his food or separate?
It could just be regular allergies like us people too.
These little frenchies are more sensitive then other breeds.
Erick C

hi eric,

i think these are seasonal allergies. i got mooi from a very good breeder, and he actually doesn't have any serious health issues. he's had the puppy warts which he had a hard time fighting, but that's really about it so far. he's on raw (mostly whole RMBs but some ground pre-made stuff too), and so far hasn't actually shown any food allergies. he has been getting fish oil and eats whole fish regularly. i don't think he's missing anything in his diet. i just noticed since spring started, he's got a runny nose and has pink paws that seem to be itching him. so i'm asuming he's got seasonal allergies, which i read are not that uncommon in dogs, and pretty common amongst frenchies.

so if anyone else has a dog with seasonal allergies, what do you do to minimize the itchiness? do you give antihistamines?

I have heard of people giving them antihistamines but i'm too scared too. Tallulah is having the exact same problems right now and she's on raw with essential oils. Let me know if you find of anything that helps!

yes, i've been told of antihistamines but it seems that people have had them prescribed by a vet, i haven't heard of anyone using over the counter stuff. someone mentioned coconut oil, although she is only speculates that it helped. also, mooi's allergies seem relatively mild so far, but you should be paying attention to tallulah's paws for excessive redness and smell. if there is a smell, it means she's developed an infection that will need a topical treatment. when they lick paws excessively, they can create sores etc.

I'm gonna pipe in all the way from Nova Scotia!!! Hi Gang!!! Here's the poop on seasonal allergies......I personally am not a believer in allergies - to me it is also a symptom of a compromised immune system - now thats not saying a dog is sick, just a couple of things are out of balance. Raw is good _ cured joeys allergic reaction with just that. I would definitely up the probiotics, and give them away from meal time so they can have time to work.
As for oils, I hope you guys didn;t mean essential oils and meant fish oil - if so up the fish oil a bit.
As well a lot of people swear by local homey. It HAS to be what is local though. Give about a tsp/day so that they can build up an immunity to the pollen.
As for a histamine. Quercetin is a natural one; which you can buy at a health food store. If it is sooooooo bad, you may give 25 mg of regular benedryl a day. Not for long though and that is only if it is unbearable as it only masks the problem. The body is thinking hat the pollen is attacking, and therefore sending out histamine to go get it.....it is leaking into the wall of the gut. Since moving out east and prior to my leaving I have been giving Kate a garlic capsule a day and 250 mg of l-glutamine a day. This has worked wonders. The l-glutamine is helping heal the gut and prevent her body from attacking things - for us it was everything - not just the air. The garlic really keeps mosquitos and bugs away and is a great alternative to that poison they tell you to put on the back of their neck! Heck it doesn't even get warm enough here for heartworm!!! Anyhow the garlic also keep yeast in line. For the chewy paws - i can't live without my colloidial silver. It soothes her feet and keeps bacteria away. I always have juicy raw meaty bones around to distract her, and make sure I exercise her even more to tire her out.
Anyhow.....I hope that helps!!!
Suz and the Coasters - Sailor Joey and Captain Kate!

Hi Suz, you saved the day Hun. lol Thanks sweety.
Erick

Yes sorry, i didn't mean essential oils. I have to admit i buy the pre-made raw food because i'm a woss! And i only have the one dog so it's not that expensive. I will definitely follow your orders to a t. I will check her paws this afternoon as soon as i'm home. I would hate to think i'm messing up. Poor little Tullah!

No worries...
I figured thats what you meant! How are things now?
Suz

things are a bit worse on our end. mooi isn't licking the paws too much but they are getting pinker and have become raw red spots in places. i've been using colloidal silver religiously with no results, sadly. he's already on raw, getting lots of arctic vigor and regular whole fish, and gets yogurt daily. i don't think diet is going to help in this case. my own allergies are getting worse too. i think i'm going to go to the vet for more options. i'm afraid the feet will become infected if the sores get worse. but it's so sad to think that the park, his most favourite place, is the last place he should be in:(