Animal Doctor

Dear Dr. Fox:

Patch, our 6-year-old cockapoo, weighs about 20 pounds. About five years ago, she was tested for allergies. The result was an injection every 21 days. She is allergic to a number of things: certain weeds, trees, dust mites, molds and insects. The allergy serum is Liquid Gold by Varl. Patch gnawed and licked her paws excessively and scratched herself often.

I want to confirm what the veterinarian has assured me: The long-term use of the injections will not pose a health risk to my dog. Some friends have suggested that I could just give her Benadryl instead, but I wonder about its long-term effects, as well.

I also have a question about episodes of vomiting that occur in the early morning (4 to 7 a.m.) and always as a yellowish (acidic?) bile. It happens two or three times a week, and Patch lets my husband or me know when it’s coming. I can hear her stomach gurgling at these times, and I have noticed that if I give her something to eat (usually a treat, because it’s too early for her first meal) and massage her belly, the urge to throw up will sometimes pass.

I wonder whether this is a sign of something serious or whether it is a matter of just keeping food in her belly. She eats Chef Michael’s dry food mixed with Chef Michael’s canned or chopped-up turkey or chicken, twice a day. She is a somewhat picky eater. Earlier in her life, I tried a number of organic or specialized dog foods, but she would not eat them.

As far as her treats go, she receives a variety, including Milk-Bone MarO Snacks, Milk-Bone Mini’s Flavor Snacks, Grand Champ Beef and Liver Snacks, PureBites Freeze Dried Beef Liver and PureBites Freeze Dried Chicken. After reading in the news about questions raised concerning the chicken jerky treats made with poultry from China, we stopped giving them to her.

P.B., Montgomery County

DF: Why are so many dogs (and children) suffering from multiple allergies that reflect a serious immune system dysfunction?

There are many factors to consider, such as breed susceptibility to what’s in the dog’s environment, especially in-home chemicals, cleaners, detergents, synthetic fragrances and dust mites; certain food ingredients; and exposure to pollen. Repeated vaccinations and drugs to control fleas and ticks must also be considered.

Which of the above possible contributing factors can you control? Many, indeed. Become a detective. Your home could be a toxic chemical environment.

Let your dog sleep on hot-water-only laundered cotton sheets. Give her three shampoos, spaced three to four weeks apart, with Selsun Blue medicated shampoo. Stop all treats, and have your veterinarian start your dog on a home-prepared elimination diet, along with probiotics, to help determine which food ingredients might be problematic for your dog. In addition, her kidney, pancreatic and liver functions should be evaluated.

EARS ARE TOO HEAVY

Dear Dr. Fox:

My 9-year-old cocker spaniel has several health problems, but the most recent one is the growth of warts in her ears. They are quite large and far down in her ear canal.