Vet says allergic to something

[wonderwoman2012]

The vet says my dog is biting his legs because he is allergic to something (not losing hair thank goodness). Just like with people he has had me trying to narrow it down.

Told it could be cleaning products (when does he ever clean :o), dust, food, plants etc.....

Have ruled out everything in the house I think.

So I reckon a plant in the garden. This has been going on for months on and off so not sure. I have a long border at back of garden and have planted period style plants to suit house. I was so busy last year nothing new there I think.

Has anyone else dog had a plant allergy?
Was it a certain plant?
Is there any think else in the house I should check out?
If your dog has an allergy what to?

Thank you for any help given , he will be very grateful.

[wonderwoman2012]

Should say nothing new planted there I think.

[wonderwoman2012]

Should say nothing new planted there I think.

[Lonecatwithkitten]

The most common allergies are house dust mites, storage mites and meadow fescue in dogs. The easiest way to isolate what is causing the allergy is a blood test. House dust mites are around ten times commoner than any other allergy.

[Lonecatwithkitten]

Oh yes it can take considerable time (up to two years) for allergies to develop.

[toboldlygo]

Have you considered a food allergy?

One of mine is allergic to house dust mites and certain kinds of pollen. It manifests as sneezy snotty upper respiratory infections rather than skin problems. We manage it by having the inner layers of all soft furnishings (sofa cushions, dog beds etc.) sealed in miteproof covers and top covers boil washed as often as we can, house sprayed with Indorex twice a year and damp dusting frequently. He has an antihistamine tablet daily.

The other one has food ishoos (intolerance rather than allergy, I suppose) most especially with wheat but also with other grains which, as well as causing the most horrid squirty diarrhoea caused an itchy, scurfy coat.

[AwsomeMrsFox]

We had a dog with an allergy, it got so bad that eventually she was itchy all over and very miserable. After several layers of tests at the vet they said the only thing she showed an allergy to was dust mites. I was not convinced so we just monitored it over many months (anti histamines and steriods every time she had a flare up) and came to realise it was being in water that set it off.

We avoided letting her in the water (no mean-feat as we live by a lake and she was a lab) and it did stop the flare ups. I have no idea whether it was a particular weed/bacteria in the water or just the water itself....

I hope you find a solution, it is so much easier when you know. But really the vets tests IME were a bit of a waste of money (although the insurance did cover them).

[wonderwoman2012]

Will ask about blood test when see vet next. I didn't know they did dog allergy tests.

Don't think it is water as the weather has been to cold to walk him near the ponds (jumps in no matter what, poor ducks get a shock).

Changed his working routes about a bit to rule out any grasses/bushes/plants when out working.

Wondering about house mites and the like as because he has been swimming less his problem may have got worse. The vet says to try washing him down if the itching is bad.

The itching can go for a few weeks and then really flare up so his skin under his fur is bright pink this can last for a few days and then gone again. It seems to slowly be getting worse each time it comes back.

Thanks for your replies