Dog with allergies

[Kari]

HI - this is my first time here, but it looks like a great site and forum so far!
I have a beagle mix named Bailey we recently adopted- she is 8 mo old.
since we got her she has been scratching and biting alot eventhough the vet sees no sign of fleas. 2 nights ago she suddenly broke out in hives. we gave her benadryl and got her to the vet in the morning. they assumed a reaction to the wormer she had had the day before and changed to a new one. (she has not taken the new one) the hives went away and we continued the benadryl, and last night she again broke out in hives! the benadryl seems to help, as they are mostly gone now, but I am trying to find out what is causing! my ideas are possibly the margarine she had the meds with both days or possible grass ...... any ideas to help us determine the cause?? her fur is getting very thin in places with all the itching.
Thanks so much!

Kari

[Lucky Rescue]

Hi and welcome to the board!

There are so many things that can cause this reaction - anything from her food to chemicals on the grass to soap used to wash any blankets she sleeps on to seasonal allergies.

Where are the hives appearing? All over, or just on certain areas?
What kind of food is she getting?

[Kari]

thanks so much for your quick reply - the hives are appearing everywhere: leags, sides, back, tummy, head and muzzle....... she is eating Ol'Roy high performance formula food (pertty inexpensive food, but has worked well with ouir other dog and had not had atleast the hives in the firs couple weeks) I am on a tight budget, so have resisted getting the expensive foods- but maybe I need to try something.....?
I only wash our things in All free and clear allergen reducer detergent becasue my son and I are allergic to many things (ironic, huh?)
there are so many possibilites for allergens, so Im trying to narrow down the most likely causes ;-)
does this info help at all??

[Karin]

Ol' Roy is on the bottom of the food line..generic, cheap WalMart brand.

[Kari]

I know- I guess Im a bad, bad mommy........ it was actually recomended by a breeder so I gave it a try because I liked the price. It was fine with our older dog. Im ready to try something new, any recomendations for some good food hopefully without breaking the bank?

[mona_b]

Welcome to you and your fur babies

Well if she has been this way since you got her,then I highly doubt that it's being caused by the dewormer.

I take it this was not much of a breeder....All the licenced responsible breeders I know would never recomend Ol'Roy.

There are many premium brand dog foods.

Wellness
Innova
Canidea
Chicken Soup for the pet lovers Soul
Nutro

Prices are different from place to place.

Where are you located?