Dog allergies

Hi All,
New to the site and very intrested in the use of Piriton for the use of controling the licking and knawing of skin on my springer.this is now becoming a serious problem. read the post about boots own brand so purchased some and going to give it a try.Any advice about dosage and possible side effects when also giving front line flea treatment. thanks to all for the tip and any further advice.

Hi, I've got a dog with a terrible skin condition, and Pritons are very good, but you have to use the cheaper ones (any kind will do) that DO make them drowsy, NOT those expensive one which don't (which I think can be as much as £12?!) I was told I could give 4 a day to my 50 kg gsd, but I never did, 3 sometimes and twice a day some other times, depending on the season and how bad he was.

I would add, that I have heard from numerous dog walkers, that the Frontline actually made their dogs itch and scratch more, and the same with my dogs, so ask your vet about an alternative, coz most vets nowadays seem to be using Advocate and Advantage or Stronghold instead of Frontline.

Hibiscrub (again from Boots) is brilliant for cleaning hot spots and sores, coz it kills all the bacteria and should stop the itch. It's a complete nightmare at times, I do know that, so good luck.

Do you know what is causing your dog to lick and knaw his skin? Do you know what he is allergic to? What do you feed him?
Piriton is ok to use but you need to treat the underlying condition and I wouldn't use it long term

You give Piriton by weight of dog so you will HAVE to check with your vet. My 22 kilo Boxer can be given up to 6 a day - that is the absolute maximum dose that can be given and that was on the advice of the vet. Same doseage applies for the oldest girl who weighs a lot more and our boy who is about 38 kilos. Phone your vet if you dont want to visit and ask advice. They wont charge you for a phone call.

I also agree with someone else here - you should really find out what the cause of the itch is.

If he is chewing his feet that is a contact problem. Bathing his feet daily in saline will help

Generally speaking to some extent they get used to the Piriton and the drowsines wears off somewhat. Each dog will differ as to how much they need.

Incidently I have never heard of anyone giving the one-a-day antihistamine to their dog, they are very much for humans. I would take it - I would never ever consider giving it to the dogs.

For a very itchy dog our vet recommends Stronghold and every two months Advocate as opposed to Frontline.

I have used piriton and the asda alternative for my Deacon, 2 a day... he has atopic dermatitis due to being severly allergic to house dust mites... he is currently on a course of immunotherapy jabs. It cost me the best part of £800 to find what was wrong with him, trips to specialist and food trials, skin and blood testing... not allergic to anything but house dust mite and short of living in a bubble not much I can do but keep cleaning!!
I bathe his itchy bits in either hibiscrub as H recommends or tea tree wipes or sea salt water, he also used to gnaw at his feet, so I would soak them in a bowl...
Maybe a trip to the vet to see what is causing his discomfort it could be something really simple.

Many thanks to all who posted gives me plenty to work with and knowledge and ideas to work with.will post how he gets on.

My previous dog, a lab cross type used to take 6 Piriton a day. They never seemed to make him drowsy at all but they did have some effect on his itchy skin.