I have 2 dogs, 4 yrs old, that have allergies. They chew until hot
spots appear. I bathe them with allergy shampoo beginning with a week
from the groomer until the next time they go. They are on Tavist, but
it does not seem to help. The medrol did help, but made them
aggressive. Is there anything that we can do. Their paws (all 4) are
brown from chewing.  Help!  They weigh 14lbs and 18lbs. Bishons

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Clarification of Question by 1nomi1-ga on 13 Sep 2004 17:02 PDT

Thank you!  Thank you!  I am acting on all suggestions. I've called
the vet about the shampoo (which they have) and they are ordering a
food without starch or yeast tomorrow.  If they don't have access to
one, the vet at PetsMart has the food and my vet will give me a
prescription to be able to buy it there.
If this doesn't do the trick, I'll ask about the cortisone shots.  
Now, at last, I have a plan of action. To see them suffer, hurts my
heart.  I can't wait!
Maybe we'll win this one!
Thanks to all of you.  Thank you very much!

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Request for Question Clarification by tutuzdad-ga on 14 Sep 2004 17:19 PDT

I bet you will too.

You might also check with 3 DOGS BAKERY (yes, a bakery for dogs) that
sells all natural dog treats that are free of the types of ingredients
I mentioned.

CLOUD STAR is another one. They make all natural treats called BUDDY BISCUITS.

These were both featured on UNWRAPPED (along with other companies) in
an episode that I recorded and watched just for you so I'd be able to
learn more about them in hopes of helping your critters recover.

FOOD NETWORK: UNWRAPPED
http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/show_cw/episode/0,1976,FOOD_9955_30228,00.html

tutuzdad-ga

Hi 1nomi1...

Every September my son's Dalmation suffers from the same thing. Just
itches like crazy and her skin turns bright pink. His vet says the dog
suffers from some kind a fungal allergy. So each September he takes
her in for a slow release cortisone shot. Works like a gem.

Steph53

Allergies are a problem for many Bichons.

This may be helpful:

http://www.bichon.org/allergy.htm

Stop the presses here! I have the answer! My chihuahuas used to get
"hot feet" to such a degree that their poor little paws were angry
red, swollen and sore. They'd lick at them until the hair was gone and
their toes were so puffy that their nails didn't even touch the
ground. I suspected "dew poisioning", a common irritation that comes
from being out on the wet grass, but after several bouts of this I
consulted a very highly regarded veterinarian friend who diagnosed the
problem "over the phone"! That's right! In my dogs' case the malady
was caused by a hard to rid fungus. He immediately recommended MALASEB
SHAMPOO (which you can buy from just about any vet over the counter -
it also comes in a spray and a foam, by the way) and told me to stop
feeding them ANYTHING with starch OR yeast. I changed their dog food
to one that contained no corn, potato, rice or bread products or
by-products (you'd be amazed at how many dog foods have these in
them). In addition he told me to supplement their yeast and starch
free dog food with COOKED BEANS (sounds weird huh?) but only the pure
kind, not the prepared kind with flavorings like pork & beans. Well, I
did as I was told and followed the instructions on the Malaseb and
their little feet were cool within 48 hours and the problem was
totally gone within about 10 days (except for the missing hair of
course).

MALASEB and a temporary yeast/starch free diet - that's what worked
for us, and it has worked wonders. The stuff smells good, it's easy to
use, you don't need a vet appointment (or bill), it doesn't sting AND
it works. What more could you ask for?

tutuzdad-ga