The Zim Family Cocker Spaniel Forum

My rescue dog, Bruce, had to go to the vet about 2 weeks ago for some odd rashing on his belly, inner legs, and chest. Come to find out, he has allergies and gave himself a bacterial infection on his skin by licking his itchy places. He's since been given a cortisone shot and is most of the way thru his 2 week supply of antibiotics. Vet and I are keeping fingers crossed for seasonal allergies, but I just moved into an old house (rental) with some mildew/mold problems coming upstairs from the basement, so I'm not terribly optimistic. Here are my questions: does anyone else have an old house and problems with their Cocker's allergies? Even if not old house-related, what do YOU do for your Cocker's recurring allergies? Are there preventative things I can do? Thank you so much from one concerned puppy Momma!

Hi Claire. I would do a couple of things. Keep him bathed and brushed really well. Watch what you are mopping the floors/cleaning the carpets with. I use Simple Green on both. Be cautious about what you are feeding him and including treats. You can also give your dog Benedryl if he begins to itch so he won't irritate the area.

Hadn't thought about the benedryl... good thought!

Do you have a chocolate cocker? They seem to be more prone to different types of allergies than some of the other "varieties." What do you feed him? He might be allergic to something in his food, too, and a lot of us feed a grain-free food or even a raw diet (you'd have to ask someone else about feeding raw because I've never done it).

He is a red/white parti. My vet told me not to bother with grain-free because the most recent research shows that grain isn't that big of a factor in dog allergies. I can only go on what he says, because I am definitely no expert. I'm a starving artist grad student so quite honestly I couldn't afford to do it anyway. I have tried changing up the food though. Funds are limited, so I seem to be limited in my options for foods as a consequence. I found a great dry food that was chicken, rice, and peas that my dogs both LOVED but it is discontinued... I've also started using a soothing oatmeal spritz on him in addition to his normal oatmeal shampoo.

Then maybe try a novel protein source - something he's never had. If he's used to eating chicken, try duck or salmon or beef. Honestly, I'd be more inclined to spend more and try the grain free food and avoid the vet bills and medication costs, which are probably even more.

Hi Claire: I have a Cocker Holly who has had allergies all her life. Chlortabs which are sold at Walmart are good for itching, I gave Holly 1 am and 1 pm. Check what are you cleaning the floors with, as well as when the allergies are happening such as environment including grass. Cockers are prone to allergies, so there is a lot to try and check how it turns out. Holly has had multiple skin infections and it was until I changed her food to a no corn no wheat, no soy, no barley (IMO corn and wheat are the most important to avoid)diet that her skin started to improved. She still has some skin problems but not as before. Also she has thyroid problems with hypothyroidsm which causes skin problems. Weekly baths are important as well as flea control. Not sure about the mold but try to have him sleep over blankets or a bed then you can wash it regularly. good luck and keep us posted.

Sasha has seasonal environmental allergies so she is on 25 mg of hydroxizine daily (1/2 pill in am and 1/2 pill in pm) until everything freezes over. Benadryl did not control her symptoms well enough. We've been pretty lucky this year with only one or two outbreaks and an ear infection. When she has an outbreak we try an antibiotic but if that doesn't clear it up we add temaril p (steroid).

We feed grain-free food, a rotation of taste of the wild and acana. If you can't afford to go grain-free, how about trying to find a limited ingredient diet? Do you live close to Petsmart or Petco? How much are you currently spending on food? Maybe we can help give alternatives that won't break your budget.

My vet said I could give Chloratabs as well, but ONLY 1/2 twice or 3, if needed, times a day. My girls are 22 or so pounds. I would NOT give more than 1/2 at a dose unless your cocker is large. I would also try grain free when I ran out of food if not sooner. I agree most are not allergic to grain but why not try it...and change the protein source as well, as suggested by someone. Personally, I think my Abby has a problem with Chicken

A good thing is also to clean the paws with a good wipe when they come in from the outside. Many allergens are picked up on the feet.

I notice you are in Indiana (so am I). A good frost might do some good. I know it did for my girls last year.

Good Luck...it is no fun watching our babies suffer.

Wow, lots of things to try! My 2 boys eat about $35 in food a month right now. I do live near a Petsmart and I believe there is a Petco not terribly far away. We're living on student loans and me freelancing photography and art. We're not destitute, but I've got about $70 in grooming the pair every 6-8 weeks in addition to the food, and I also try to have about a $10 treats and toys budget in there as well (I know it doesn't seem like much, but my local pet store sends me a free $5 gift card every 2 months as well which helps with the treats). I am very lucky that my 2 vets are working with me at cost on most things because they are very understanding about my small budget/big heart problem. So the vet bill hasn't been bad at all. When we went in for Bruce to have the allergy stuff taken care of it was $60 for visit, shot, and 2 week supply of antibiotic. I thought that was pretty reasonable. I would be willing to prepare food for them as well if I could do it cost effectively. I don't eat red meat, so as long as I could do it without I don't mind preparing stuff to have on hand for them. Do any of you make your own dog food? If so, what do you prepare? Thanks so much for all your help!

(moderator please remove if you find this inappropriate) Claire, have your tried the new Purina Beyond? It has a lamb and barley variety that I used to mix for my cockers. It is sold at Walmart and is reasonable for the budget. I disagree with the vet (sorry) but grains are always the first thing I cut out for my fosters if they are having issues. Hope you find an easy solution!

Start with a change of food. Grain free isn't that much more expensive because most of them are higher in calories and you feed less. Taste of the Wild is a reasonably priced grain free. I think Wellness has a grain free line. I start all of my fosters out on Natural Balance grain free and work up to a higher protein level slowly to avoid any tummy issues. Both Wellness and Natural Balance are carried at Petco.

Home cooking is also an option, but they might need a vitamin supplement if you only home cook. I do a mix of home cooking and store bought kibble.

Not sure if you have a Costco in your area but others on the forum have said they get Costco brand of grain-free a lot cheaper than other brands and their dogs love it. Just a thought..might be worth looking into if you have one in your area.

Unfortunately Costco hasn't come to the Midwest so much yet, but I hadn't even thought to look at Walmart or other non pet-specific places. I will check into the Purina, because that would be within my budget. Also, I did not know, or even think about, needing to feed them less with a higher protein diet, but that makes so much sense. Thanks so much for your help, everyone! I know my vet is just trying to help me out, but I am glad to hear that others have had success this way.

Gromit has both food allergies, and seasonal (weeds,grasses) allergies. Changing her food to a grain- free, limited ingredient diet has worked wonders. Yes, the food is more expensive, but I figure I'm saving money in the long run by fewer vet visits and medications. And she feels so much better!

When the seasonal allergies flare up (spring), I've found that giving her 1/2 of a Zyrtec works the best. It doesn't make her dopey like benedryl did, and it's only once-a-day dosing. It's also available as a generic, cetirizine, which is actually what I use.

Oh, cockers and allergies...
9 years later, with Maddie....

In our case, it turns out it wasn't allergies at all, but Vitamin A Responsive Dermatosis...
But after over a year of clearing up and having NO problems , we found out that Maddie is also highly allergic to WHEAT... and while her food never had wheat in it, some of her treats and/or people food occasionally did. (and bee stings, but that's another story... )

Unfortunately a lot of the time with dog allergies a 'diagnosis' is nothing more than ruling a lot of things out. I tried everything that's been posted, and its good advice to follow! But, if none of that works, or it seems to be getting worse / not going away I highly recommend ruling out medical conditions like thyroid problems, cushings, etc and also going to see a dog dermatologist. A wonderful person on this forum recommended a dermatologist to me - and I wish I'd went sooner!! It's just been a miracle / lifesaver !!!

Started a gluten-corn-wheat-FREE diet today with the boys (lamb and rice). Because of my small budget I had to shop around to find one that was cost effective. Ended up with Diamond brand from the farm supply store ($30/40lb). We will see how it goes from here. Also purchased an all-natural pet shampoo bar from a local soapworks that will hopefully have less chemicals than even the "natural" bottled shampoo I buy.

Just curious, those of you with allergic furbabies, what color is your dog's skin? Theo has blueish white skin and has very few allergies. Bruce, pink skin, has tons of allergies. I'm wondering if it might be like people where the more ruddy complexions often have more contact allergies?

My Alfie is a red and white parti (and a party he is!), and I have noticed small flaky bumps (4-5) very small, and they appear to be raised bumps of skin. He has had 5 or more (I am losing count) hot spots, 2 ear infections and 1 eye infection this summer. Winter usually is better, but I just noticed the bumps. I must confess that I don't bathe him as often as I should. He is not a fan of water. My vet recommended fish oil, and I feed my pup canned salmon (new) and occassionally boiled eggs.
I have bought an oatmeal shampoo as recommended by the groomer, who said his skin was really dry. He is clipped like a pup (short hair), and his skin is quite pink.
Should I not be feeding him the salmon or eggs (I thought the fats would be good, and it doesn't upset his stomach).
I did change his food this summer (to Purina from Iams) and am switching back to Iams this week. Next bag of food I purchase will be grain free.
Any other tips?

You might get some fish oil tabs from petsmart. They are good for many things.

I would also up the quality of the food, if its in your budget to do so.

I just got a hot tip... someone told me to feed my allergy-ridden pup 1 tbsp. of local honey a day and that this would especially help with seasonal allergies. I am getting some tomorrow to try (the stuff I have is, alas, not quite as local as I'd like). Bruce's allergies do thankfully seem to be seasonal. They are down to a minimum now that it has finally frosted hard in Indiana.

Hi Claire (and everyone else too!)-
My Lily had allergies too. And her "brother", our German Shepherd does too. We were doubly blessed I guess!!! Lily would break out in rashes, little red hives, on her belly, inside her front legs, inside her ears, and a few on her chest as well. I took her everywhere with me. Early on we realized that the cookies she would get from the bank and coffee stands made her allergies worse. She was put on a med from the vet-sorry I don't remember its name. It was round and light blue, a bit bigger than an Advil. They helped, but when they were gone we switched to a Benedryl twice daily. We changed her food because we noticed that chicken and corn and wheat made her allergies worse. She was eating Natural Balance Lamb and Rice when she died. Our GSD does great on it as well. I found that the best shampoo was from the vet as well. The ones at Petsmart/Petco didn't seem to calm down her skin. (Sorry- out of the shampoo but it was made especially for allergic skin.) I even tried oatmeal shampoo, which was supposed to help with the itches. Our GSD will also get rashes, ear infections, and his tounge will swell with the allergies. Not fun. As someone else said, I would watch out for any other genetic or hereditary diseases. I really suspect that my Lily's IHMA wouldn't have happened if she already hadn't had issues with her immune system- allergies and ear infections. So please, please be careful. IHMA is absolutely horrid. Good luck getting those allergies under control!


Kirsten

Lily 8/8/08-10/24/11 I will miss you and love you always!

Thank you. The lamb and rice food is doing okay, at least both the boys like it, but it's not really agreeing with my non-allergic dog's tummy. Poor little guy has to go ALL THE TIME since we switched. I'm starting to try a tbsp a day of local honey, which I hear helps the seasonal stuff, and I've cut down on the number of cleaners I use in my house. Bruce's allergies seem to largely be contact ones rather than dietary. I think he also has some grass allergies, so I started attempting to mow the lawn right after the boys went out and waiting for the pollens etc. to settle before letting them out again. So sorry to hear about your babies. That sounds terribly unpleasant! I hope that it never gets to the point that his tongue swells or that it beats down his immunity. Thanks for the advice.

Bailey has seasonal allergies too and it is frustrating. I absolutely have to give him a bath every week when they are flaring up, if not more. I also use fish oil and recently started on the local honey. The problem with the honey is that you should start before allergy season, so I am already too late for Bailey. I too would switch to grain free if you can, I do not think Bailey has food allergies but for some reason he is doing much better on grain free. I would watch the treats you give too, I steam up a bag of carrots and green beans every week for Bailey. Not only does he love them, but they are cheap and healthy. Good luck.

Also what works for us sometimes in addition to all of the above, is Atarax from the vet. It's very inexpensive, not anything with steroids, it's for allergies. It's a script.