Dog skin issues after Cytopoint? Best flea prevention for allergies?

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Poor Mollie! I wouldn’t do immunosuppressive doses of steroids without a biopsy. I would try a prescription hydrolzed diet like Royal Canin ultimino, put her on Bravecto, nexgard or simparica to cover for demodex and flea allergy dermatitis, omega 3 fish oil, allergy test her and try cytopoint. I think she has allergies. Most dogs with allergic skin disease need to be on multiple medications and special food. If that doesn’t work consider a boarded veterinary dermatologist. Then consider biopsy of the skin. I hope this helps and I wish Mollie the best!

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! This is possibly due to allergies. It really comes down to figuring out what is causing her allergies so that they can be treated or the specific allergen avoided. A secondary infection is likely and also needs to be addressed. The main reason the signs returned is that the allergic component needs to still be dealt with on top of giving the injection. There are many things that can cause allergies though in most cases they can be broken down into 3 big categories: flea, food and environmental allergies. Allergies are usually worked up in a stepwise fashion starting with flea allergies as this is the easiest and cheapest to take care of. If not on a flea preventative, then it would be a good idea to get started on one. If already on one then it would be a good idea to change to something else (there are many new products out in the market). If not improved in 1-3 months then it is time to move on and check for food allergies by switching to a novel diet (new protein and new carbohydrate). If that does not seem to be the issue then you are left out having to check for environmental allergies which require blood and/or skin tests. Allergies can be very frustrating to deal with at first but so rewarding at the end when we are able to treat them effectively!

Hello. Without knowing what was previously used, it is difficult to make any recommendations. If you want to try a different food, it must be a hypoallergenic diet recommended by your veterinarian, not just another brand from the pet store. Medications include Apoquel, Atopica, & judicious use of steroids. Cytopoint is a relatively new injectable anti-allergy treatment that can last 4-8 weeks. High dose of Omega 3 fatty acids is very helpful, as is bathing 2-3 times a week in a Hy-Lyt type shampoo & conditioner. Use of topical ceramides is also great to heal the moisture barrier in the skin. Jot this all down to discuss with your veterinarian, or ask for a referral to a board-certified veterinary dermatologist in your area. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Hello, thank you for using PetCoach! Here is a link explaining more about miliary dermatitis. I cannot tell if that is exactly the problem based on that one photo. ( https://www.petcoach.co/cat/condition/feline-miliary-dermatitis/ ) For a cat, I would use this leave on mousse product as treatment. I would apply it once a day in the beginning and once the clinical signs start to dissipate you can then go to every 2 or 3 days. Continue use until all the bumps on the skin are gone. ( https://www.allivet.com/p-6673-douxo-chlorhexidine-climbazole-mousse-for-dogs-and-cats-68-oz.aspx?SearchTerm=duoxo%20mousse+Auto ) A good over the counter flea prevention for cats is Cheristin. I would apply the Cheristin and then wait 24 hours before bathing or using any topical products. If the miliary dermatitis is from fleas, you need to apply this EVERY month. If you are having a flea problem then you definitely should treat the environment for fleas as well, otherwise you have a major infestation in your house. I think this product is the best. ( https://www.allivet.com/p-1389-knockout-es-area-treatment.aspx?SearchTerm=knoc+Auto ) Hope this helps. Best wishes.

Hello, and thanks for your question about Mya. Allergies are very common in dogs, and they can be frustrating to control! I recommend asking your vet about Cytopoint, which is a monthly injection, and Apoquel, which is a daily pill. These are very effective non-steroid allergy medications that can either be given individually or (in more severe cases) together. For young dogs like Mya, I usually prefer the cytopoint injections, and then add Apoquel if necessary. If the a strict feeding trial with the Royal Canin Ultramino diet didn't help, then her allergies are less likely to be related to food, and are more likely environmental. Of course, also make sure she's kept current on a high quality flea/tick preventative, to make sure an external parasite can't be complicating things! And if a skin scrape has never been done, that may be advised as well - I've had skin mites get misdiagnosed as allergies before! If it comes to it, I've certainly had patients who did best on steroids - and that can be done pretty safely if you're weaning to the lowest effective every-other-day dose. Hopefully this helps! Of course, I'd defer on all points to a vet who has seen Mya in person!

Hi, thanks for using PetCoach! Poor Jake! Here are my recommendations: Jake should be on a good oral flea/tick medication year round in case flea allergic (Nexgard, Bravecto or Simparcia, I would have a skin scrape performed to rule out scabies, I would have him tested for ring worm, if he is older I would have full blood work done and consider having an area biopsied. If all that comes back negative then he likely has allergies. I would then put him on a prescription hydrolyzed diet (Royal canin HP or Purina HA or Hill's z.d). Consider having him allergy tested with a Veterinary dermatologist. If he is positive for environmental allergens then allergy serum can be started. Also I would get him off steroids and try apoquel or cytopoint. A lot of allergy dogs need multiple medications and a diet for life. I also like all my allergy patients on a good Omega 3 fish oil. I like http://vrshealth.com/canine-products/omegadog/. Your Vet also should be sure he is free of all bacterial and yeast infections. I hope this helps and I wish Jake the best!

Hi, thanks for using PetCoach! Poor Molly! I do not think it’s a reaction to the topical flea medication. It looks and sounds like a bacterial skin infection. Molly should see your vet for an exam and if they agree be prescribed an oral antibiotic. You can try the below shampoo. Bathe her twice weekly and allow the lather to sit on her for 10mins before rinsing. Good luck! https://m.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=27975