Grass / Staph Allergy
Hello all,
My 5 year old mix lives in GA and has an allergy to several different types or grass/weeds. What makes it worse is that she is also allergic to staph so the problem is amplified exponentially.
So, once or more a month (depending on time of year), I have to take her to the vet to get antibiotics, and/or a steroid shot + pills after she breaks our with scabs, scratching, dandruff, red belly, etc. I had her on Atopica briefly but it kept making her vomit.
Obviously this takes up time and money that I would rather not spend, but of course I am not going to let my dog suffer.
Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.
I can feel your frustration. I am assuming a vet or veterinary dermatologist confirmed the allergies to the grasses/weeds by injecting the allergens into the skin and observing a reaction. Staph infections are unfortunately common in dogs with allergies. The allergies cause the skin's barrier to break down paving the path for secondary infections. So to prevent the staph, you must treat the underlying disorder which is the allergy. Antibiotics and steroids only suppress the immune system so in the long run, they're not taking care of the underlying problem. Once stopped, most likely the symptoms recur. Perhaps it's time to consult with a holistic vet who can suggest ways to treat from the inside out and that may include using supplements such Omega fatty acids, quercetin, bromelein and papain and coconut oil. You can read more here:
http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/hea...rgies.aspx