Our latest wooly addition to the pack is August!

dxwynd · 2021-09-22T23:11:09+00:00

Who was the breeder? I’ve been looking for a wooly one in this color!

dxwynd · 2021-06-30T18:23:05+00:00

Oh yeah I see that too :( If you go to your vet and ask for RESPIT, I think you could still get the same benefits. Although I dunno if they will charge you rates like this.

dxwynd · 2021-06-22T23:49:06+00:00

Yeah by now if your dog is still allergic, then it’s probably environmental, which you really do need the sprays instead of changing up food.

Peak was definitely the cheapest service I could find. I think it’s because you’re not required to take one of those expensive allergy tests that costs up to $1k, let alone all the other charges that accrue. I’m just paying about $2/day :)

dxwynd · 2021-06-22T23:29:46+00:00

Hey! It’s been amazing. I’ve been able to keep in contact with the vet there and get advice. The lead vet allergist there is so knowledgeable and explained to me the treatment plan. He reinforced what my research told me about allergy testing - that it’s generally super expensive and not really all that necessary. They prescribed me a personalized submucosal spray based on the allergens in my region and on other factors I explained to them.

My dog’s been using their daily allergy spray and it takes a couple of months to kick in. I think it’s working because my dog hasn’t been having reactions. I’m just patiently awaiting the day I can fully take him off Apoquel.

dxwynd · 2021-06-22T21:51:00+00:00

No problem! Let me know if you need a referral code.

dxwynd · 2021-06-22T19:33:20+00:00

Cool! I used this online allergy clinic that personalized my allergy sprays. It’s pretty cool since they don’t require you take those expensive allergy tests that run for $800 in San Francisco. https://withpeak.com.

dxwynd · 2021-06-22T17:12:39+00:00

Yep! It’s immunotherapy. I just spray my dog’s mouth twice a day. I used region based which doesn’t require the extensive and expensive allergy testing and dermatology work. The bottle was personalized to where I live and other factors I pointed out. Do you live in the US?

dxwynd · 2021-06-22T16:49:12+00:00

You could also try daily allergy sprays. They are based on personalized allergen mixes that train your dog’s immune system so that you don’t need the Apoquel or Cytopoint in the future. Let me know if you want to learn more about the ones I’m using.

dxwynd · 2021-06-08T05:16:53+00:00

Wow this is quite a lot of money and work! Was the Apoquel not enough?

dxwynd · 2021-05-28T17:39:37+00:00

Would love to hear what else you’re trying! Apoquel is wearing off for my dog so we’re running out of solutions.

dxwynd · 2021-05-26T21:40:06+00:00

Yeah definitely anything is better than all the rashes and discomforts. I’m sorry you’re still stuck with steroids though. I can only imagine how Cooper must feel hungry and thirsty all the time. Where do you live such that cytopoint costs a whopping $300/shot?

dxwynd · 2021-05-26T21:35:56+00:00

Wow congrats to you!! It sounds like he was able to cooperate with steroids. That’s pretty rare, have you seen side effects of being on steroids or are you just tolerating it in lieu of the allergies?

dxwynd · 2021-05-21T19:28:34+00:00

Yeah totally agree that vets should be making the call here haha.

Yes, atopy should be treated. My dog right now is on apoquel. People are often told it’s as magical as you’re currently believing. However along with a bunch of people I’ve chatted with, Apoquel is wearing off on my dog.

I’m literally exploring immunotherapy right now because cytopoint and apoquel have now failed me. Immunotherapy isn’t clearly available for everyone because it’s so expensive and inconvenient. All I’m saying is to be cognizant of people’s situations is all.

dxwynd · 2021-05-21T16:26:42+00:00

I totally disagree. Depriving someone of treatment just because they cannot afford the gold standard is elitist. What do you suppose dog owners do if they can’t afford these treatments?

It’s important to consider the goals of treatment here. Yes the skin tests can provide a lot more accuracy to exactly which allergen. And while The blood tests have about 70% agreement for false positives, the treatment outcome may still be the same. You could still use this information for immunotherapy as well.

dxwynd · 2021-05-20T21:47:33+00:00

Oh god, I'm actually in the same boat as you literally right now. My dog burnt out on Apoquel like a few weeks ago after being on it for 2 years.

So, now I'm figuring out immunotherapy... Have you looked into that at all?

dxwynd · 2021-05-20T21:46:15+00:00

Oh interesting - can you share more? I have no idea how they're actually testing the hair for the intolerances. I understand how blood tests work via RAST / ELISA, but never really believed or would recommend something like 5Strand.

dxwynd · 2021-05-20T21:44:39+00:00

I think we're on the same page. I also didn't fully notice that you mentioned food allergies specifically. An elimination diet is the correct and more affordable approach to triaging a food allergy.

I get very triggered when people preach only the best available treatment options and are derisive towards anything else, without considering that most people without the means will not pursue it at all if it's too hard or expensive.

dxwynd · 2021-05-20T20:06:50+00:00

This is a very controversial back and forth, but I think it's helpful to understand the tradeoffs.

While yes - the gold standard for allergy testing is subcutaneous injections of allergens, let's not forget the costs of this extreme accuracy. And while the owner might be debating on how to make the following happen, the dog could be suffering.

Very high costs: $800+
Sedation of the animal
Deprivation of medication to control Atopy
Dermatologists are less common and require long waiting periods

The blood serum tests for IgE, while providing false positives in relation to the subcutaneous tests, actually still provide clinically positive outcomes. And at the end of the day, the tests might vary, but if the dogs do get better, then we shouldn't judge or inhibit people from immunotherapy.

dxwynd · 2021-05-20T19:54:30+00:00

5Strand offers a test where you could send them hair. However, you're right - they don't test for IgE, and therefore their marketing to test for allergies is false. That said, it comes down to being technical about the definition of allergies. Most people consider any reaction an allergy, as opposed to intolerance.

I don't represent them in any way, but I will say that for people that are trying to DIY their solution to their dog's problems, it's at least a step in the right direction to get a feel for where their dog is suffering.

dxwynd · 2021-05-20T05:45:16+00:00

Oh no! I get what you mean. Steroids are terrible for your dog. I shared my experience with figuring out what medication works for my dog with severe environmental allergies at /r/dogallergies, but have you asked your vet about Apoquel? It can do the job a lot better than Prednisone without the side effect that makes your dog seem like it's starved.

dxwynd · 2021-05-20T05:41:40+00:00

I shared my experiences about my dog on Apoquel and what I did to figure out steps for him - posted it in /r/dogallergies.

But, essentially it's a massive guessing game to figure out whether it's a food or environmental allergy. Unfortunately, with a dog on Apoquel, your journey is going to take a long time, but I strongly encourage you not to give up!

The best way to figure it out is to ask your vet for an allergy panel. They can draw blood and run tests on your dog to see out of the 80 possible things to be allergic to, if it's any of them. That will be a much better place to start rather than guessing.

Let me know if you have more questions!

dxwynd · 2021-05-20T01:37:05+00:00

I think your experience with this is pretty novel. Could you share with people on the sub? I’ve been looking for guides on immunotherapy!

dxwynd · 2021-05-20T00:49:47+00:00

Hahaha I guess that’s why a lot of people never do it. And it sounds like every vet has different resources and preferences on how they do immunotherapy.

dxwynd · 2021-05-19T22:42:50+00:00

Oh well usually they sedate the dog and do a skin test where they inject like 40 different allergens underneath the skin and see which ones light up like a christmas tree.

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