Yes, he is much happier!

Well, this fall/winter weather is making Mason nuts!

He is itchy again (but not as bad as last year!), so I have a call into his holistic vet, to make up a new plan for him.

He has been doing soooooo good too. Summer was AMAZING!

I think fall/winter, is just his bad time of the year!

He's getting handsomer and handsomer!!!

Well drat! Any skin issues that you can see?

Is it dry where you are? Some folks find a humidifier helps in the winter, but I dunno, just passing that along...

http://www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com/solutions-for-allergies/
A couple years ago I bought the Herbsmith Clear AllerQi that is mentioned in this article.
Onyx didn't want to eat the food when it was on there so I discontinued using it. I think I'll give it another shot after reading this article, maybe if it is in tripe she'll be more willing to eat it.

Thanks for the humidifier idea, Lisa. I use to have one but I let someone borrow it and haven't gotten it back yet, and I know that they are no longer using it, so I will see if I can get it back.

Yes, he made a sore on the side of his tail and under his one armpit this past week. He did have a hot spot looking area on his knee but it looks fine now, as I have been making him wear the cone of shame to keep him from getting at it so it doesnt get worse or infected. I am giving him his medicated baths and have put some chlorahexidine (sp?) lotion on his spots which seems to have helped dry them up faster. This is my first experience with the lotion and it seems to be working well.

I have been looking into a few different products, AllerQi being one of them. I do know there is a holistic pet store near me, which I just discovered the other day, that sells an "allergy kit" which contains a few different products/herbs to help with allergies.

We have an appt on Thursday afternoon with the holistic vet, so I am going to bring the "allergy kit" up to see if it is worth trying in addition to any herbs she gives Mason.

Thanks Everyone. Will update afyer our appt on Thursday!

Ah, poor Mason!

We used that AllerQi stuff for Kailor and it didn't make any difference. Apparently some people have had great luck for their dogs with it though.

When she's really itchy we put her on plant sterols and sterolins: http://www.onlynaturalpet.com/products/Only-Natural-Pet-Immune-Balance/999051.aspx

This is a natural anti-inflammatory but, of course, does not get to the root of the problem. However, it does really help make her more comfortable.

Do you have a hepa filter in your furnace? It's most likely dust mites at this time of year. If you have a hepa filter on your vacuum cleaner I would vacuum at least once a week. I would spray those hot spots with Rejuva Spray and also coat them with calendula once or twice a day. I'd also suggest weekly baths for the itchy areas. There's a great shampoo for dogs called TheraNeem. And I'd also recommend putting him in a t-shirt so he can't do as much damage to himself.

The humidifier might work but if it's mold that's causing the problems then it could make it worse. It's absolutely worth a try though!

Now that Ruth types this, it reminds me, wasn't this one of mason's allergens?

Yes, dust mites are one of his allergens.

He has been getting weekly baths, but I will change shampoo and use the TheraNeem as I had been using something else. I will get the rejuva spray too. I should be able to buy that at the same health store, right?
Calendula, I have never heard of that before, I dont think, but am going to buy some.

T-shirt, great idea! Going to put one on him now!
I am actually going to order him a custom jacket after the holidays, so he will be able to wear that too.


I took the cone off him last night as I was home but when I walked into the other room to put something away, I came out to find him going at him self crazy biting and he ripped his spot on his knee back open and it looks nasty now. And it was almost healed! How quick they can create one of those spots is crazy!

Went out and picked up all the things Ruth suggested!