To treat her itching, Bridget the Scottish Terrier has been on Prednisone since last Friday. It works, but it’s one of those drugs that send you into a cold sweat just reading about the possible side effects.
The vet said Bridget will most likely stop itching once the first frost hits, which it did earlier this week, so I’m wondering if we even needed the Prednisone.
Also, Bridget is supposed to go in for a medicated bath sometime over the next week or two.
Thank you again everyone for your advice and suggestions. They were much appreciated.
Related posts:
- Scottish Terrier owners, beware! Bridget sick after ingesting more Cuz ball feet
- Bridget and the boy dog next door
- Scottie News’ Bridget needs her spring haircut
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{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
Hi Ann!
My girls are littermates and they both suffer from severe seasonal allergies. Unfortunately we weren't able to use the prednisone, which works great, because of food aggression issues it caused. We are in the process of treating both of them with allergy shots. Mavri, the black one, has had problems since she was a tiny puppy. By the time she was 3 months old she had most of her fur off and was covered with a rash – she's been on the shots since about 6 months and her symptoms are virtually gone. Aspri, the wheaten one, just developed bad allergies this year. I understand skin conditions in scotties are fairly common.
The allergy shots are a wonderful thing – they work just as they do in humans, by introducing the irritant in smaller then progressively larger doses, the body eventually becomes immune. If Bridget's condition persists, you might want to look into that. Good luck! It's no fun watching them suffer! Oh, and there is another medication, more expensive but less side effects, called Atopica, which seems to work well to relieve the symptoms, too.
Well, that's good to hear – Bridget's allergies are seasonal. I'm struggling with my girl too and her itching. Scout doesn't have any sores yet or anything but as you know it's awful watching them walk then stop and do the 3-legged scratch all the time and the licking – oh my…. I have her on this spray and some antihistamines which at first seemed to help but doesn't seem to be helping as much right now. Shes already on a vet formula food (venison & potato) for her tummy so I can't imagine it's her food unless it's her treats, etc. I just wanted to say I feel your pain. It's awful seeing our fur-kids not themselves. I'm hoping and crossing my fingers and toes that when it frosts here that she too may see some relief. I wouldn't worry too much about the prednisone. We had a dog that was on it for YEARS for her asthma (a labrador) and she lived to a nice age of 12. Under supervision predisone isn't as bad as people believe. Just be sure she's on the smallest dose possible that will give her the relief she needs. Hang in there.
Try changing to a different food. The statement you are what you eat is true. My Donovan has had very bad allergies from the beginning by the time fall arrived his entire skirt was gone. We tried a allergy shots which is just a band aide and where it gives them much needed releif they cause health problems. I tried a new dog food it's NUTRO Natural Choice Lamb and Rice small bites for skin and coat, by the time we were through the first bag I saw a huge inprovement so much so we have not had to go back to the vet AT ALL for any allergy related problems. Yes he has a flair up every once in a while and a Benadryl does the trick usually once a day for a couple of days sometimes one in the morning and one in the late afternoon before bed. And I also only bath my scotties in head and shoulders dandruff shampoo and put a regular very moisturizing conditioner (intended for people)on them blow dry them and they are good to go. I also tried every shampoo and conditioner intended for dogs I could find and I found they are too harse for most dogs especially scotties. My little 10 year old Scottie girl Maddie just had a flair up of Seborrhea, I took her to the vet he gave me a tiny bottle of shampoo (for $20.00)guaranteed to clear it up, I bathed her twice a week for 3 weeks as he instructed with no effect. I did my own research and ran across Selsun Blue , so I tried that and it clear her up on one Shampoo. So if the Head and Shoulders does not work try Selsun Blue and don't forgt to condition. Hope this helps!
I am sure the vet told you to taper down the Pred. Don't just stop it cold turkey. If you are unsure, please call the vet to ask instructions.
Glad the frost arrived.
Bridget doesn't seem to have had any adverse reaction to the prednisone.
We wen from two tablets a day to one and, starting tomorrow, to one every two days.
If the allergies don't stop, I will definitely try some of the other recommended treatments.
Pred is acceptable on short term basis. Went to my vet last night and he said half the dogs he has seen this past week are for seasonal allergies, at it's peak right before the first killing frost. The first time you have to scrape your car window == that's the first frost. Roger is on eye corticosteroids as his eyes were running — seasonal allergies! The antihistimines, he says, don't work that well, but that's the first thing they try because of the pred fear. Don't forget about changing her diet to a premium one, if she continues to have itchies. And do NOT stop pred cold turkey. They must be weaned off.
She went from two pred a day to one a day to one every two days until the supply runs out.