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Old August 14th, 2011, 06:17 AM
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stormy_daze stormy_daze is offline
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Unhappy advice - 2 problems with shih-tzu

Hey all!

So problem 1 - ever since we moved to our new city (I'm in England) both mine and my 7 year old shih-tzu's allergies have been out of control. he's getting constant eye infections and he's so miserable.He's on allergy meds but they don't seem to be doing much, so we do have to go back yet again for it. I was thinking of getting an air purifier/steriliser, but they're quite expensive - has anyone had any good experience with these?hor found home remedies that help ease the symptoms? i don't mind spending the money for the air purifier if I know it will help, but £160 is a lot of money to waste if it doesn't help. Has anyone had a similar problem? I know it's our city because I've been getting horrible migraines and allergies since I moved here. We can't move away. I just hate seeing him so miserable any and all comments would be welcome to helping ease the symptoms!

problem 2 - when I was giving my boy a belly rub this morning I noticed a sort of knot or small marble-sized ball near his penis. it's not always there, just when he's in a certain position. When I checked it he didn't react in pain and he hasn't acted like this is painful or anything. So I don't know anything about anatomy. Is this a normal thing or is this something that could be a growth and need to be checked out?

Any advice/suggestions/etc will be welcome, please ask questions if you need clarification on anything. thanks! xx
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Old August 14th, 2011, 06:38 AM
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Winston Winston is offline
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Welcome! What kind of meds is your boy on? are they vet prescribed or over the counter?

What do you feed him? alot of allergy's can be traced back to foods?

As for the lump is your dog neutered? sometimes one of the testicals doesnt drop down when they are puppies and I am wondering if thats what your feeling. There is a certain word for this but I can remember what its called.
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Old August 14th, 2011, 07:25 AM
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stormy_daze stormy_daze is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Winston View Post
Welcome! What kind of meds is your boy on? are they vet prescribed or over the counter?

What do you feed him? alot of allergy's can be traced back to foods?

As for the lump is your dog neutered? sometimes one of the testicals doesnt drop down when they are puppies and I am wondering if thats what your feeling. There is a certain word for this but I can remember what its called.
Thanks for the kind Welcome, Winston!

Elmer is on Benazapril for his kidneys, and he eats the K/D diet wet food for tea and crunchy food for breakfast.

for his allergies, he takes Ucerax (hydroxyzine hydrocloride) tablets. I'm not sure they have them in the States? he was getting benadryl 3 times a day but that didn't touch it so the vet wanted him on this.

He is neutered, yes. the knot is at the base of the penis. To be honest, it might have been there the whole time... I don't spend a lot of time looking at his penis, so it could just be something that has always been there and I'm just oblivious.
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Old August 14th, 2011, 03:20 PM
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Winston Winston is offline
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Have you ever tried to change his food to see if he has any food allergies? Maybe if you tired to eleiminate things like grains and chicken to start off with and see if there is any improvement.

I would have the vet check the penis area and see whats up...it might not be an emergency but I would have it checked out.

Would love to see some pics if you would like to share!
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Tabitha April 10, 1995 - August 23, 2013
Bomber April 10, 1995 - July 12, 2010
Winston Nov 15, 1999 - September 15, 2011
Sophie Aug 30, 2011

"UNTIL ONE HAS LOVED AN ANIMAL, PART OF THEIR SOUL REMAINS UNAWAKENED"
He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog. You are his life, his love, his leader. He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart. You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion.
-Unknown
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Old August 14th, 2011, 05:08 PM
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stormy_daze stormy_daze is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Winston View Post
Have you ever tried to change his food to see if he has any food allergies? Maybe if you tired to eleiminate things like grains and chicken to start off with and see if there is any improvement.

I would have the vet check the penis area and see whats up...it might not be an emergency but I would have it checked out.

Would love to see some pics if you would like to share!
Hi, thanks for the reply.

My concern about the food is that he's on the K/D diet because of his kidneys So far we're managing to maintain his kidneys from deteriorating, but I'm concerned if I take him off the food his blood values will start to decline

He has to go back for a check to see if the allergy medications are working, and the blood test for his kidney values are due within the next week or so, so I guess I'll ask there. The vets here are just so so expensive even to be seen, and very often they don't give the answers. We've been struggling with allergies for him since February or so and it's just not got better - this is the third vet we've gone to and they all do the same thing, which is not much.

But I'll keep trying, thanks for that. Thought I'd ask here first, tho. If you think of anything important to ask re: these problems that might lead to a result let me know!

Added some pictures of my child just for you

Great quotes in your signature. How do you add those?

thanks again for the kind advice, always appreciated!
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Old August 14th, 2011, 06:25 PM
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hazelrunpack hazelrunpack is offline
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Oh, he's a doll, stormy_daze!

To add a signature, go up to UserCP or Quick Links in the top menu bar and choose 'Edit signature'.
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