[bowersbm]

Please help! We have a 1 year old german sheppard puppy. He is a pure-bread dog from a reputable breeder (about 75 lbs.). However, he has this serious itching problem He scratches all of the time. He has scratched his sides so much he is losing his hair. We have had him to several local vets, who have ruled out fleas, scabies, bugs etc., and then referred us to a dermatologist at the University of Penn. Here the vet put him on Purina Hypoallergenic diet, and he is still scratching. He has been on the diet for about 4 weeks now, with very little relief. The scratching started in the fall, when we stopped using our air-conditioner and started using the heater. Is it possible for dogs to take Allegra, Claritin or Zyrtec, or are there special meds. for dog allergies?? He has taken Benadryl in the past, but I don't want to give that to him everyday, and it only give him very mild relief. Any suggestions??? He is also experiencing discharge from his eyes in the mornings mostly. It is almost as if he has the same allergies as my husband (grass, weeds, dander, pollen, etc). Any help is greatly appreciated!!!!!!!