Pip - sorry no pics - I'm a bit spotty!!
Posted: 13 Jul 2015, 17:16
Hi everyone,
Just wanted to put a quick update on about lovely Miss Pip - such a sweet little girl who is still struggling with her allergies. (dust mites and storage mites).
Pip has been on apoquel for around 3 months now and has done really well in that it has been the only thing we've tried that has helped to control her itching and scratching to some degree, so she has lots and lots of hair growth. Unfortunately, starting the apoquel seems to have coincided with nasty lumps and boils developing on her face/muzzle. She was back at the vets last week and had biopsies taken and we are waiting for the results. It may mean that she has to come off the medication. We will wait and see what happens.
Thanks to everyone who has offered helpful suggestions - I am open to trying anything that will make life better for her.
I do the obvious things like keeping the environment as dust free as possible - special bedding too. We have tried various medical treatments (Atopica, piriton etc) and Pip continues on her immunotherapy injection - she has been on this around 6 months now but I did meet someone a while ago who said their dog was on it 12months before responding.
Pip (and Millie) has supplements -Evening Primrose Oil and Omega 3 along with lots of oily fish. She is on a good complete food which I rinse with boiling water before she has it but I am going to switch her to a wet diet/raw feeding - currently looking into this and have been suggested several - including Forthglade, Barf pet foods to name just a couple ANY RECOMMENDATIONS GREATLY RECEIVED!
I have just started her on Coconut Oil (virgin cold pressed) - giving this with her food and using it topically - fingers crossed this helps. I tried silver serum but this didn't seem to do much. Pip has a comfy cone and will wear this without any trouble as we made a game out of it (Yep, food is involved!!) so this helps to protect her face a little (she will rub and scratch and can make her eyes in particular very sore). She has this on at night time and I use it during the day only when I need to. I was bathing her once a week (tried all the usual shampoos) but recently, at the vets suggestion, have started showering her daily with luke warm water (I think this helps a bit). Again, we have made a game out of this so she bounds upstairs and jumps in to the bath knowing she will get treats!! She makes my heart melt - she is so patient and trusting - I'm certain if she was a person she would be very grumpy indeed!
I'm interested to know if anyone has experience of animals having complimentary therapies - I am from a medical background but have always been interested in and believed in the value of different approaches. I have benefited from homeopathic treatments and reiki and I'm currently looking into this for Pip - any feedback welcomed, thanks.
Pip is a fabulous dog and it is so wonderful that this organisation exists so she can have the chance that she deserves.
Thank you to you all and especially to Glenys and all involved with MKF.
I will post pics when Pip's face is better.xx
Just wanted to put a quick update on about lovely Miss Pip - such a sweet little girl who is still struggling with her allergies. (dust mites and storage mites).
Pip has been on apoquel for around 3 months now and has done really well in that it has been the only thing we've tried that has helped to control her itching and scratching to some degree, so she has lots and lots of hair growth. Unfortunately, starting the apoquel seems to have coincided with nasty lumps and boils developing on her face/muzzle. She was back at the vets last week and had biopsies taken and we are waiting for the results. It may mean that she has to come off the medication. We will wait and see what happens.
Thanks to everyone who has offered helpful suggestions - I am open to trying anything that will make life better for her.
I do the obvious things like keeping the environment as dust free as possible - special bedding too. We have tried various medical treatments (Atopica, piriton etc) and Pip continues on her immunotherapy injection - she has been on this around 6 months now but I did meet someone a while ago who said their dog was on it 12months before responding.
Pip (and Millie) has supplements -Evening Primrose Oil and Omega 3 along with lots of oily fish. She is on a good complete food which I rinse with boiling water before she has it but I am going to switch her to a wet diet/raw feeding - currently looking into this and have been suggested several - including Forthglade, Barf pet foods to name just a couple ANY RECOMMENDATIONS GREATLY RECEIVED!
I have just started her on Coconut Oil (virgin cold pressed) - giving this with her food and using it topically - fingers crossed this helps. I tried silver serum but this didn't seem to do much. Pip has a comfy cone and will wear this without any trouble as we made a game out of it (Yep, food is involved!!) so this helps to protect her face a little (she will rub and scratch and can make her eyes in particular very sore). She has this on at night time and I use it during the day only when I need to. I was bathing her once a week (tried all the usual shampoos) but recently, at the vets suggestion, have started showering her daily with luke warm water (I think this helps a bit). Again, we have made a game out of this so she bounds upstairs and jumps in to the bath knowing she will get treats!! She makes my heart melt - she is so patient and trusting - I'm certain if she was a person she would be very grumpy indeed!
I'm interested to know if anyone has experience of animals having complimentary therapies - I am from a medical background but have always been interested in and believed in the value of different approaches. I have benefited from homeopathic treatments and reiki and I'm currently looking into this for Pip - any feedback welcomed, thanks.
Pip is a fabulous dog and it is so wonderful that this organisation exists so she can have the chance that she deserves.
Thank you to you all and especially to Glenys and all involved with MKF.
I will post pics when Pip's face is better.xx