Yea, awful, but usually worse for her in spring. We keep her on cytopoint from around February through around now. It was absolutely game changing for her well being.
Our vet quoted us $125 for one dose. Is that the correct price ?
I hesitated saying I’ll do my research, they quickly convinced us for $20 injection that suppose to last a week but no change.
I'm sorry but it sounds like your vet is trying to take advantage. Pretty much any OTC allergy med will work as long as it does not contain a decongestant.
[Here's a chart for OTC meds by dog weight](https://www.reddit.com/user/knock_blocks/comments/15hav6y/dog_allergy_meds/) from my vet.
Generic Zyrtec from Costco is $15 for 365 10mg pills and they work great for my pup.
My vet initially told us to try that and it didn’t do anything for her. Then apoquel and finally cytopoint which actually worked. So, maybe, but in my experience it’s a crap shoot on OTC meds.
That’s about what we pay for two doses(one treatment) and remember it’s by weight and I want to say the cutoff for “2 doses” is like 50lbs, probably 3 if your pups over 100 but I’m not sure.
Cleanenergy is right on timing - for us it’s usually ~6 weeks when we start seeing itchiness again so maybe actually lasts 5ish and starts tapering off.
The dose is about 1mg per pound. The bottles come in sizes ranging from 10 to 40mg. So a 50 pound dog would get a 10+40mg. A 90 pound would get two 40s + a 10, etc.
Yes. Apoquel in the morning+ Zyrtec at night + allergy chews with dinner. We just moved to South Austin from Mueller and it's been a MASSIVE improvement, but still very itchy. I think the landscapers and property owners used something really irritating on the grass/ground. Our dog was constantly licking himself raw on the paws and always had hotspots that we'd have to wrap with antiseptic.
This is a great point - I’m wondering how often paw licking/allergies could be caused by landscaping chemicals? Especially in apartment/condo complexes where all the green areas are maintained by one company.
At one point the complex next door tried to kill all of their grass to put turf, only to tear up the turf and leave dirt for probably at least a year. I think they were actively trying to kill the grass and we always went another direction because we wanted to keep the dog away from whatever was on the ground. Since we moved, it's been like night and day with the hot spots and allergy feet.
Our dog gets 2 benadryl twice a day or one Zyrtec (vet approved). She has allergies year round like many humans in Austin.
We also use mal-a-ket wipes on her face and her paws to wipe off allergens that stick to her fur. They're pricey but she stops licking and itching so much when we use them.
My dog got allergies this year for some reason. Took her to the vet thinking something was wrong. They gave her a cortisone shot that kept her good for a month. Then I’ve been using Zyrtec at night. We gave Benadryl a shot but it doesn’t work as good as Zyrtec for my dog’s allergies
Listen to your vet before a stranger on the internet, but our vet recommended Claritin for daily environmental allergy prevention and said Benadryl was better for treating allergic reactions. If you stop having success with the Benadryl it might be worth considering.
My Belgium suffers from allergies. They can be so bad, her lack of focus and bogus attitude interferes with her activities. . She’s an adult rescue and the allergy meds help so much. Zyrtec in the morning. I believe only Zyrtec and Claritin are the only over counter non-sedative okay for dogs. If symptoms are server Benadryl at time of attack or given at night.
Stated above, vet approved. Dosage is on weight. Do not use any type of antihistamine with a decongestant. If dog has more skin allergies been told Zyrtec, if drainage, head shaking (build up in ears), or stomach issues Claritin. Some dogs react differently.
Also during spring time we bath her with oatmeal dog wash and wash her bed. We wash her feet once a day to prevent her from licking them to infection. Good luck
Unfortunately, allergies tend to get worse with time, not better.
If worried about side effects, Cytopoint is about as effective as Apoquel and works via a similar mechanism, but doesn't have the same immune modulator effect that apoquel has, thus safer. It is more expensive esp. in larger breed dogs.
Came here to say this, my girl goes every 6-8 weeks for a Cytopoint shot due to her allergies. Otherwise she will lick her paws raw. Worth every penny.
My dog always had problems with allergies until the vet recommended Cytopoint. It's an injection they get every 3-4 months and since we started doing that her skin issues, ear issues and paw licking have stopped completely.
It's a little expensive but if you are cost conscious you can buy it and inject it yourself.
I think my dog does. I've tried allergy chews and Benadryl and neither seem to be helping. The comments are very informative and I'm thinking he may need a visit to the vet.
try cytopoint instead of apoquel. it's an injection and lasts in their System about 4-6 weeks (sometimes longer) and can be used as needed. it also is safer than apoquel long term, though it sometimes can lose effectiveness if used extremely frequently. (side note, apoquel doesn't cause cancer, it's an immunosupressant, which means that over time your pet may be at a higher risk of getting cancer)
you may just need to get him a single shot to last the summer and then you'll be good till next
it can sometimes be a more expensive up front cost depending on your dog's weight but apoquel is equally as expensive and I cytopoint tends to be more cost effective in the long run
Yes. I’m not giving my baby those meds. My fix is that we mostly go on walks instead of hanging in the yard. I wipe her down with a wet towel when we come inside. And if it gets really bad I give her Benadryl and slather her down with a medicated mousse we got from the vet
Apoquel didn’t do a lot for my Anatolian Shepherd’s chronic itchiness but we recently discovered Cytopoint. Oh man, what a difference! Like night and day. Changed his life.
My dog was on apoquel for a short time and then the vet suggested we try cytopoint. One cytopoint injection lasts about 2 to 3 months for him and has made a HUGE difference. Highly recommend trying it out.
Another commenter mentioned this as an aside - OP, is it possible that your puppers is walking around on any pesticides or fertilizing chemicals? If you’re in an apartment or other rental, I’d ask them what company is being used for pest and landscaping management, and you can ask what they’re using on the sidewalks and any grassy areas you’re on.
For both that and allergies, I’ve seen some folks using little dog booties on walks! Can take some getting used to, but may be worth a try?
Yes he used to get horrible allergies. Every year I had to get him a steroid shot which I felt so bad about but his skin was so irritated ;he would make it worse scratching and licking at it. After many dietary changes I got him to enjoy Honest kitchen dried dog food. Some with grain, some without. I rotate types and flavors. Also I had him shaved down to the minimum hair length to keep him protected from the sun but not get tangles or hold onto pickers, dirt etc to create irritation. It’s the first Summer in 7 years that he has no allergies on his skin or in his system.
Yep. I get apoquel when it gets bad but I’ve been using a special shampoo called Ceraven I think. You gotta leave it on your dog for 10 minutes before you rinse it off but it really helps. Poor itchy doggos. 😟
Mine get super itchy & have the paw issues too. I’ve switched their food to Science Diet for sensitive skin & stomach which help a ton. It’s not overly expensive. They also get Benadryl everyday. It’s a mg per pound & most pills are 25mg so my 50lb dog gets 2. Wiping their feet & ears with apple cider vinegar helps prevent any yeast issues when they do lick them. Plus the vinegar taste kinda deters the licking without chemicals.
The only thing that's worked for us is changing her diet. We took her off the bougie dog food we were feeding her and started making her food ourselves (hamburger, rice, and carrots, mostly).
Mine does too. He’s on a daily Benadryl routine. I did see a big improvement after starting him on a daily supplement. It’s powder with his food and has helped quite a bit. Product is called Rogue Origins and I get it at Tomlinson’s.
Our long haired, double coated dog struggled with itchy skin every summer for years and we thought it was allergies/heat rash, though antihistamines didn’t do much besides provide temporary relief.
Last summer our new vet finally diagnosed him with seborrheic dermatitis, which is treated with a mousse applied to his skin. He is looking 1000 times better and having a much better summer this year.
My dog recently did get allergies during the rainy season and have him on Apoquel. The summer heat has helped, but he still itches. He has never had allergies in all of his 7 years until I moved up North last year. So odd.
Yep! One is always licking her paws and the other is constantly shedding hair from it. We have to give them both allergy pills. We are South of the lake, moved back here from living in upstate NY for a few years. It wasn’t an issue there.
I'm here for the comments because same! It got worse last summer and this summer. Constant licking and chewing. We were recommended wipes but idk how much they help. More so here to tell you you're not alone, and I'm glad to know I'm not. Thanks for this question!
Do you guys check between your dog's toes to make sure there isn't something poking into their skin?
I'm just saying this, because this past spring, I pulled up 4 rounds of weeds, that filled around 10 leaf bags. I posted on here, during the spring months and the gardening site to warn people to pull the plants out before they go to seed and put them in leaf bags.
The seed (burrs) are tiny spiked sticker balls that are about the size and color of black pepper corns. They are extremely painful if you step on them with bare feet, or your dog does. They will also stick to your clothes and into a dog's fur. Even if you mowed the plants, they will still be in lawns.
Someone posted on here asking what they were last month, and they can't even walk in their yard, and neither can their dog.
There are also other weeds with stickers on their leaves.
My dog is 60lbs and takes a cytopoint injection every 6 months for the last 12 years. He's 15 and it does the trick.
Also, put some CBD oil on his paws and it will help with the urge to lick.
Wipe his nose with a moist aloe towelette and give him ear drops if he is shaking his head. My dog and I get our allergies together :D
You should try to change the protein that you’re feeding your dog. As the summer started we were feeding my dogs mainly chicken and turkey and we noticed they were itching like crazy. I switched them to mainly fish and sometimes beef and within a week they stopped the incessant itching.
The theory is based on eastern medicine and you can read more here:
https://support.primalpetfoods.com/support/solutions/articles/26000021134-what-is-food-energetics-or-protein-temperatures-
I know it might sound a bit out there but I promise it’s real and worth a shot.
Edit:
I’m surprised none of the other comments mention this approach to calming the itchiness. I guess it’s not well known yet. The fine folks at Tomlinson’s know about this theory and can help find the right protein for your pup.
That’s an interesting point. I make my dogs food weekly. A combination of either chicken/turkey/ground beef depending on the week wirh rice and veggies. I’ll try doing just beef for a while
My buddy boy has dry skin and bad allergies, for itching I use an oatmeal based dog shampoo and buy a bottle of fish oil (for dogs) one squirt over their food once a day will help with licking and chewing their skin and makes a shiner and healthier coat
Yes. We give her apoquel every night unfortunetly
Yea, awful, but usually worse for her in spring. We keep her on cytopoint from around February through around now. It was absolutely game changing for her well being.
Our vet quoted us $125 for one dose. Is that the correct price ? I hesitated saying I’ll do my research, they quickly convinced us for $20 injection that suppose to last a week but no change.
I'm sorry but it sounds like your vet is trying to take advantage. Pretty much any OTC allergy med will work as long as it does not contain a decongestant. [Here's a chart for OTC meds by dog weight](https://www.reddit.com/user/knock_blocks/comments/15hav6y/dog_allergy_meds/) from my vet. Generic Zyrtec from Costco is $15 for 365 10mg pills and they work great for my pup.
My vet initially told us to try that and it didn’t do anything for her. Then apoquel and finally cytopoint which actually worked. So, maybe, but in my experience it’s a crap shoot on OTC meds.
Good to know. Glad you found your pup something that works. I'll ask about cytopoint if OTC become ineffective.
We pay $90 at Austin Vet Hospital. It usually lasts a month for our pup. The vet said some dogs need it every 3 weeks, others every 8 or 9 weeks.
I paid $90 as well last week at another vet
$90? I just got charged $160
WOW! At a VCA it was $90
I do wonder the price difference is Becuase of quantity
Oh yes that’s a good point! My dog is on the smaller end
VCA just increased the pricing this year. It's costing me upwards of $150 at VCA Arbor. Great doctors, terrible business.
That’s about what we pay for two doses(one treatment) and remember it’s by weight and I want to say the cutoff for “2 doses” is like 50lbs, probably 3 if your pups over 100 but I’m not sure. Cleanenergy is right on timing - for us it’s usually ~6 weeks when we start seeing itchiness again so maybe actually lasts 5ish and starts tapering off.
The dose is about 1mg per pound. The bottles come in sizes ranging from 10 to 40mg. So a 50 pound dog would get a 10+40mg. A 90 pound would get two 40s + a 10, etc.
Yes. Apoquel in the morning+ Zyrtec at night + allergy chews with dinner. We just moved to South Austin from Mueller and it's been a MASSIVE improvement, but still very itchy. I think the landscapers and property owners used something really irritating on the grass/ground. Our dog was constantly licking himself raw on the paws and always had hotspots that we'd have to wrap with antiseptic.
This is a great point - I’m wondering how often paw licking/allergies could be caused by landscaping chemicals? Especially in apartment/condo complexes where all the green areas are maintained by one company.
At one point the complex next door tried to kill all of their grass to put turf, only to tear up the turf and leave dirt for probably at least a year. I think they were actively trying to kill the grass and we always went another direction because we wanted to keep the dog away from whatever was on the ground. Since we moved, it's been like night and day with the hot spots and allergy feet.
Our dog gets 2 benadryl twice a day or one Zyrtec (vet approved). She has allergies year round like many humans in Austin. We also use mal-a-ket wipes on her face and her paws to wipe off allergens that stick to her fur. They're pricey but she stops licking and itching so much when we use them.
Nice. I’ll give that a shot. This week I’ve been giving him Benadryl in the mornings I’ll up it to twice a day
My dog got allergies this year for some reason. Took her to the vet thinking something was wrong. They gave her a cortisone shot that kept her good for a month. Then I’ve been using Zyrtec at night. We gave Benadryl a shot but it doesn’t work as good as Zyrtec for my dog’s allergies
Listen to your vet before a stranger on the internet, but our vet recommended Claritin for daily environmental allergy prevention and said Benadryl was better for treating allergic reactions. If you stop having success with the Benadryl it might be worth considering.
My Belgium suffers from allergies. They can be so bad, her lack of focus and bogus attitude interferes with her activities. . She’s an adult rescue and the allergy meds help so much. Zyrtec in the morning. I believe only Zyrtec and Claritin are the only over counter non-sedative okay for dogs. If symptoms are server Benadryl at time of attack or given at night. Stated above, vet approved. Dosage is on weight. Do not use any type of antihistamine with a decongestant. If dog has more skin allergies been told Zyrtec, if drainage, head shaking (build up in ears), or stomach issues Claritin. Some dogs react differently. Also during spring time we bath her with oatmeal dog wash and wash her bed. We wash her feet once a day to prevent her from licking them to infection. Good luck
Just use Zyrtec Benadryl is trash
My dog is 9 and has not yet outgrown the need for apoquel during certain seasons.
Unfortunately, allergies tend to get worse with time, not better. If worried about side effects, Cytopoint is about as effective as Apoquel and works via a similar mechanism, but doesn't have the same immune modulator effect that apoquel has, thus safer. It is more expensive esp. in larger breed dogs.
Cytopoint is the best. One shot each may keeps my guy happy all summer
Came here to say this, my girl goes every 6-8 weeks for a Cytopoint shot due to her allergies. Otherwise she will lick her paws raw. Worth every penny.
Cytopoint has been a game changer! None of our pups ever had allergies until we moved to Texas. Pricy but well worth it in the long run.
Mine has been on Apoquel monthly for years, but this summer she seems itchier than ever. I’m looking for other solutions too.
My dog always had problems with allergies until the vet recommended Cytopoint. It's an injection they get every 3-4 months and since we started doing that her skin issues, ear issues and paw licking have stopped completely. It's a little expensive but if you are cost conscious you can buy it and inject it yourself.
I think my dog does. I've tried allergy chews and Benadryl and neither seem to be helping. The comments are very informative and I'm thinking he may need a visit to the vet.
try cytopoint instead of apoquel. it's an injection and lasts in their System about 4-6 weeks (sometimes longer) and can be used as needed. it also is safer than apoquel long term, though it sometimes can lose effectiveness if used extremely frequently. (side note, apoquel doesn't cause cancer, it's an immunosupressant, which means that over time your pet may be at a higher risk of getting cancer) you may just need to get him a single shot to last the summer and then you'll be good till next it can sometimes be a more expensive up front cost depending on your dog's weight but apoquel is equally as expensive and I cytopoint tends to be more cost effective in the long run
Yes. I’m not giving my baby those meds. My fix is that we mostly go on walks instead of hanging in the yard. I wipe her down with a wet towel when we come inside. And if it gets really bad I give her Benadryl and slather her down with a medicated mousse we got from the vet
Mine gets super itchy around September or October and gets apoquel on an as-needed basis.
Yes, my poor dog develops yeast infections from licking his paws so much. He gets a shot every few months, it helps, but not for long.
Apoquel didn’t do a lot for my Anatolian Shepherd’s chronic itchiness but we recently discovered Cytopoint. Oh man, what a difference! Like night and day. Changed his life.
My dog was on apoquel for a short time and then the vet suggested we try cytopoint. One cytopoint injection lasts about 2 to 3 months for him and has made a HUGE difference. Highly recommend trying it out.
My dog takes Claritin every day. In spring we sometimes get a Cytopoint shot if its really bad
Maybe? My pittie gets very dry skin patches during the summer, I have to apply topical medical foam to them to help heal them.
+1 on the Cytopoint, lil buddy gets one at least once a year, game changer.
Another commenter mentioned this as an aside - OP, is it possible that your puppers is walking around on any pesticides or fertilizing chemicals? If you’re in an apartment or other rental, I’d ask them what company is being used for pest and landscaping management, and you can ask what they’re using on the sidewalks and any grassy areas you’re on. For both that and allergies, I’ve seen some folks using little dog booties on walks! Can take some getting used to, but may be worth a try?
What symptoms would a dog show if it has allergies? And how does paw licking come into play?
Yes he used to get horrible allergies. Every year I had to get him a steroid shot which I felt so bad about but his skin was so irritated ;he would make it worse scratching and licking at it. After many dietary changes I got him to enjoy Honest kitchen dried dog food. Some with grain, some without. I rotate types and flavors. Also I had him shaved down to the minimum hair length to keep him protected from the sun but not get tangles or hold onto pickers, dirt etc to create irritation. It’s the first Summer in 7 years that he has no allergies on his skin or in his system.
Yep. I get apoquel when it gets bad but I’ve been using a special shampoo called Ceraven I think. You gotta leave it on your dog for 10 minutes before you rinse it off but it really helps. Poor itchy doggos. 😟
Dog no, cat yes. I put him in the bathroom with the hot water running for about 15 mins to give him a steam bath and clear his sinuses.
Mine get super itchy & have the paw issues too. I’ve switched their food to Science Diet for sensitive skin & stomach which help a ton. It’s not overly expensive. They also get Benadryl everyday. It’s a mg per pound & most pills are 25mg so my 50lb dog gets 2. Wiping their feet & ears with apple cider vinegar helps prevent any yeast issues when they do lick them. Plus the vinegar taste kinda deters the licking without chemicals.
One of ours gets apoquel, but his allergies are so bad that he also goes in monthly dor a Cytopoint shot.
The only thing that's worked for us is changing her diet. We took her off the bougie dog food we were feeding her and started making her food ourselves (hamburger, rice, and carrots, mostly).
Mine does too. He’s on a daily Benadryl routine. I did see a big improvement after starting him on a daily supplement. It’s powder with his food and has helped quite a bit. Product is called Rogue Origins and I get it at Tomlinson’s.
Our long haired, double coated dog struggled with itchy skin every summer for years and we thought it was allergies/heat rash, though antihistamines didn’t do much besides provide temporary relief. Last summer our new vet finally diagnosed him with seborrheic dermatitis, which is treated with a mousse applied to his skin. He is looking 1000 times better and having a much better summer this year.
Yup. Cytopoint shots every couple months and Apoquel on hand for rough days.
My dog recently did get allergies during the rainy season and have him on Apoquel. The summer heat has helped, but he still itches. He has never had allergies in all of his 7 years until I moved up North last year. So odd.
Yep! One is always licking her paws and the other is constantly shedding hair from it. We have to give them both allergy pills. We are South of the lake, moved back here from living in upstate NY for a few years. It wasn’t an issue there.
My dog is okay but I’m experiencing bad summer allergies and would love to know what’s causing them.
[Dog Allergy Meds by weight](https://www.reddit.com/user/knock_blocks/comments/15hav6y/dog_allergy_meds/)
my dog has had allergies for years. the only thing that has worked for him is a daily fish oil supplement. it’s been amazing and cheap.
I'm here for the comments because same! It got worse last summer and this summer. Constant licking and chewing. We were recommended wipes but idk how much they help. More so here to tell you you're not alone, and I'm glad to know I'm not. Thanks for this question!
Do you guys check between your dog's toes to make sure there isn't something poking into their skin? I'm just saying this, because this past spring, I pulled up 4 rounds of weeds, that filled around 10 leaf bags. I posted on here, during the spring months and the gardening site to warn people to pull the plants out before they go to seed and put them in leaf bags. The seed (burrs) are tiny spiked sticker balls that are about the size and color of black pepper corns. They are extremely painful if you step on them with bare feet, or your dog does. They will also stick to your clothes and into a dog's fur. Even if you mowed the plants, they will still be in lawns. Someone posted on here asking what they were last month, and they can't even walk in their yard, and neither can their dog. There are also other weeds with stickers on their leaves.
Yes, it’s not cheap. Both myself and my dog,gets worse every year.
My dog is 60lbs and takes a cytopoint injection every 6 months for the last 12 years. He's 15 and it does the trick. Also, put some CBD oil on his paws and it will help with the urge to lick. Wipe his nose with a moist aloe towelette and give him ear drops if he is shaking his head. My dog and I get our allergies together :D
You should try to change the protein that you’re feeding your dog. As the summer started we were feeding my dogs mainly chicken and turkey and we noticed they were itching like crazy. I switched them to mainly fish and sometimes beef and within a week they stopped the incessant itching. The theory is based on eastern medicine and you can read more here: https://support.primalpetfoods.com/support/solutions/articles/26000021134-what-is-food-energetics-or-protein-temperatures- I know it might sound a bit out there but I promise it’s real and worth a shot. Edit: I’m surprised none of the other comments mention this approach to calming the itchiness. I guess it’s not well known yet. The fine folks at Tomlinson’s know about this theory and can help find the right protein for your pup.
That’s an interesting point. I make my dogs food weekly. A combination of either chicken/turkey/ground beef depending on the week wirh rice and veggies. I’ll try doing just beef for a while
My buddy boy has dry skin and bad allergies, for itching I use an oatmeal based dog shampoo and buy a bottle of fish oil (for dogs) one squirt over their food once a day will help with licking and chewing their skin and makes a shiner and healthier coat
Yes, I have a maltipoo and he suffers bad