posted 05-07-2003 02:55 PM         

We're going to Vet tomorrow.

posted 05-07-2003 04:01 PM           

Why did you give it to your dog? For allergies? Or to help calm her down. I'd be curious as to what different people have tried to help calm their dogs down.

posted 05-07-2003 04:11 PM         

Pitbull thanks for your help. Should it have totally stopped the itching if it had been an allergy ?

Maybe she's hasn't taken enough yet...she sure did get WEIRD on me. Fell asleep in my hand whild I was cleaning her eyes...so cute.

posted 11-07-2003 02:59 AM           

You would think more Vets. would know about this but I think that they do, I think its a way for them to put me and every other pitbull owner in the poor house.

posted 11-07-2003 08:19 AM         

Jake has a prescription for the same stuff as human chloritritem (sp)

I know benedryl zonks me so I can imagine what it does to a dog. when Jake takes his he is usually more quiet.

http://www.vetinfo.com/dallergy.html#Allergies,Feeding%20peanut%20butter%20with%20pills,

posted 11-07-2003 10:17 AM         

Prednisone: (Cortisone Taken Internally)
The most common internal cortisone treatment is Prednisone, taken by mouth. This medicine acts rapidly.

Cortisone is a chemical (hormone) made by the human body, and is essential for life. Cortisone or corticosteroids, are widely used in medicine. They control allergies, inflammation, and many disease processes. Cortisone compounds can be applied to the skin in the form of creams, or taken internally by mouth or injection.
It is my understanding that Prednisone should not be used for long term solutions, while it is effective and definately has it's place in healing your dog...They do have several side effects, including lowering the immune response, increasing
drinking, urinating and appetite and predisposing dogs to diabetes and possibly pancreatitis. http://www.vetinfo.com/deffect.html

Scroll down on this link to "Glucocorticoids"
and read what it says: http://www.skinvet.com/content.asp?index=12

I am not telling you that Prednisone is bad...I am saying that it's not meant to be a long term solution and and may be the reason your vet was looking for alternatives, or trying to find the CAUSE.
Also, Nutro dog food is not a cure all, just because it has lamb and rice in it does not mean it is allergen free. If it works for your dogs great. Combined with using the prednisone you may not be able to tell if the dog food is helping or not.
I would advise someone whose dogs were having these issues to do their very best to find the cause and go from there.
Just my two cents worth.
Maisey

posted 11-07-2003 10:41 AM         

As Maisey said, it is more likely an allergy and changing foods can indeed help - but different foods work for different dogs. A food higher in omega-3 and omega-6 could help with the itchiness as well, assuming the dog is not still being exposed to the allergen.

And of course, this problem is not limited to pit bulls.