Basenji atopic dermatitis
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Hi,
Looking for some advice. Our older Basenji (9) has just been diagnosed with allergies to dust mites, storage mites and milk - shows as itchy, sore rash on belly. Want to try to avoid strong medication as much as possible and have made the necessary dietary changes - avoiding milk and switching to a grain free diet to limit storage mites. Also trying to control dust mites as much as possible but this is more difficult! He has been on the new diet for 2 weeks now and is also on regular antihistamines and added omega 3 and 6 oils for his skin but is still itchy and sore. Just wondering if others have experience of managing this and how quickly I can expect to see any result?
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I hope you find some relief for your basenji - I feel so sorry for your dog. I’ve had dermatitis myself and know how irritating it can be. Hopefully someone on this forum will provide you with some suggestions. Good luck.
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Are you SURE it is an allergy .
When did your B have his last rabies shot ?
This happened to my Diva right after her rabies vaccination.
It took a full month before she was better.
Word of advice, stay away from rabies vaccine ,your B is 9,they are not needed.
Hope you live in a state that has exemptions.
Take a look at the website from Dogs Naturally called
65 Ways Rabies Vaccination Can Harm Your Dog. -
@rafiki2 said in Basenji atopic dermatitis:
switching to a grain free diet to limit storage mites.
A picture would be helpful. It would also be really helpful if you could tell us what you have done to improve the situation (other than new food, antihisamines, etc.).
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Have you bathed your dog with a mild cleanser?
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Have you used a bug bomb in your home to eliminate any other potential bugs? Fleas, for example, which can present as an itchy rash on the belly if they infest your dogs bedding and living space.
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Did you discard the old food? Why do you suspect that your dog food contained "storage mites"? Have you had the bag for a very long time? Was it featured in a recall or news report?
Please include as much information as you can so that we can try to help.
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@rocky1 said in Basenji atopic dermatitis:
Word of advice, stay away from rabies vaccine ,your B is 9,they are not needed.
Why would you suggest that any pet (dog, cat, etc) shouldn't have a rabies vaccine? And what does age have to do with it? The dog is nine, so it's less likely to cross paths with a feral cat or other critter that may/may not have rabies? I just don't understand the logic.... can you explain?
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Thank you for the replies.
Rocky1 - I live in the UK - we do not have rabies here and there is no requirement for rabies vaccination unless you are taking a dog out of the country or returning from a country with rabies.
elbrant -
The dog has had serology tests for allergies as, according to the vet, the rash is typical of atopic dermatitis and responded well to a course of steroids and then subsequently a course of apoquel.The serology test results were a strong positive for milk, positives for 2 types of storage mites and a borderline for dust mites.
The dog has always been fed on a dry diet and the vet advised that we discard the old kibble (which was done) and avoid any food with grain as storage mites can be present in any grain or cereal based food and the dog will react to any parts of the mites present in the food, not just live mites. He recommended a grain free wet diet or raw diet. I have only ever bought small bags of food at a time, so no, the bag was not open for a long time. Mammals sensitised to dust mites may also cross-react to storage mites and vice versa.
No, I have not bathed my dog. He is not used to it and I suspect would be quite resistant to bathing although it may be something else to try.
There are no fleas - this has been checked for and the dog is regularly treated.
Both my Basenjis have had new bedding since the older ones diagnosis, blankets are washed on high temp and tumble dried, we have hard floors throughout the downstairs but rugs, curtains and upholstery has been steam cleaned weekly, since the diagnosis. Vacuuming has been done thoroughly, including curtains and upholstery, and is done every couple of days.
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@elbrant said in Basenji atopic dermatitis:
@rocky1 said in Basenji atopic dermatitis:
Word of advice, stay away from rabies vaccine ,your B is 9,they are not needed.
Why would you suggest that any pet (dog, cat, etc) shouldn't have a rabies vaccine? And what does age have to do with it? The dog is nine, so it's less likely to cross paths with a feral cat or other critter that may/may not have rabies? I just don't understand the logic.... can you explain?
I can explain that one. An older animal may still have immunity from previous shots and not require another. This can be checked with a blood test for titers which will tell if the dog still has antibodies to the virus. I did this with my older Basenjis, and although it is more expensive than just giving them a shot it is better than needlessly injecting them, as giving vaccines can have health implications and why give them if you don't need them? Where I live the blood test is sufficient to comply with the law.
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With regard to the sideline discussion developing on rabies vaccination... although I currently live in the UK which is rabies free and therefore rabies vaccination is not required, I grew up in Kenya and we had a stray dog die of rabies in our own dogs basket on the verandah. It is a horrible, deadly infection and I would not wish it on any animal. Our dog was thankfully safe but his basket and bedding all had to be burned. I will always vaccinate my dogs if they are at risk and I am a medical doctor with a masters in public health so I am well aware of all the vaccination arguments - before someone tries to convince me otherwise.
eeeefarm - I agree with your point that it is useful to check immunity before re-vaccinating.
Returning to the main point of this thread - I have just discovered that the antihistamines that the vet recommended contain lactose and as my dog tested strong positive for milk allergy I will stop those as they may have been exacerbating his symptoms.
My main question remains - does anyone have any experience of successful allergen avoidance and if so, how long did it take for your dog's symptoms to respond?
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@rocky1 - I would always give an antihistamine before any shots and also after for a day or so. Since in the US rabies shots are required I would never take the chance and not give rabies shots. All you need is one accident and get bitten or someone else gets bitten and all deals are off. Yes, there are and can be exceptions.. however has not been tested in court....
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@rafiki2 said in Basenji atopic dermatitis:
My main question remains
I wish I could offer more assistance. It sounds like you have done everything I would have done to resolve the issue. The only other thing that "might help" is some sort of anti-itch ointment (similar to human calamine lotion**). And a thought... depending on how long the rash has been present, your B might have developed the habit of scratching, prolonging their anguish. Perhaps a sweater or wrap around the belly might help to deter the behavior and expedite healing.
** calamine lotion should not be used on a dog as it could damage their red blood cells
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@rafiki2 said in Basenji atopic dermatitis:
I live in the UK - we do not have rabies here
That simply amazes me! (I couldn't give it more than one "thumbs up".)
Thank you @eeeefarm and @Rafiki2, I didn't know.... -
@elbrant Thank you for your responses - it is reassuring to know that I am not neglecting to do anything obvious! I have tried Dermacton which is a natural soothing cream for canine skin but it seemed to worsen things a little and he didn't like me massaging in the cream! I may try bathing him if he will let me and see if that helps or maybe a different anti-itch cream. The Dermacton smells quite strongly, I think pleasantly but he disagrees and would retreat to his crate and growl whenever I opened the cream and he caught the smell :)
The rash has been present since before Christmas, maybe mildly since last September but worsened November time. He has had two 2 week or so periods of remission during steroid and apoquel treatment but the scratching may well have become habitual - it's a good thought!
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@elbrant Re. rabies in the UK - apparently we have been rabies free since 1922 due in part to strict animal quarantine laws although a small number of wild bats carry a rabies-like virus.
From our government public health website: "Rabies does not circulate in either wild or domestic animals in the UK, although some species of bats can carry a rabies-like virus. Human rabies is extremely rare in the UK. No human cases of rabies acquired in the UK from animals other than bats have been reported since 1902"
I think people whose work involves potential contact with bats would still be vaccinated here but it is not required outside of this sort of specialised work.
:)
