Can you tell me what tests have been done, and what shots were given? Often, simple tests are not done in the right order, or the wrong medications given. If you can give me more information, I might be able to help.
James
Hi,
Often the blood tests for allergies are not very reliable, though they are simple to do. What you were giving is called immunotherapy, and doesn't work in every dog. Sometimes in helps. Benadryl can help, but often is not effective either. Make certain you are giving a milligram per pound three times a day (depending on her size, this could be between 50-75 mg three times a day). If this is allergies alone, sometimes you end up on steroids, at low doses, to keep the problem under control. But, these can harm the liver over time.
Has your vet done any other tests, like a food allergy trial? Sometimes special diets can really minimize allergies. But, this may be a problem that you can minimize only. True allergies can only be controlled, but cured. I assume they've checked for the metabolic diseases. Sex hormones, and adrenal issues can affect skin.
I know this is the most frustrating issue for most of my clients. If there is an allergy to wool, I'd be careful with any kind of clothing, as there might be cross-reactivity.
Talk to your vet about low-dose steroids. Often quality of life is the most important consideration.
Whenever you are considering diet, you want to go for an exclusion diet. It is basically two ingredients, and the protein source is something they don't often get--salmon and sweet potato, venison and green pea, etc. This is all they eat for 12 weeks--no treats and no other foods. This is always what I start with before I do allergy testing.
Too often, allergies are combinations of many different components--food, seasonal, environmental, etc. If you can get one or more under control, often that is enough.
The metabolic diseases include cushings, the ones dealing with sex hormones--testerone and estrogen, alopecia X, etc.
You may want to see a dog dermatologist if there is one in your area. Often we (regular vets) are stymied by skin, but a dermatologist can often get it under control more quickly. But, they are not available in all areas.
james
Dog Veterinarian
10 years small animal veterinarian, acupuncture