bump associated with allergies

[karleybyrd]

My dog has very bad allergies he has been going to a very good vet that I just cant afford to bring him to right now with Christmas a few days away. I have been trying to figure out what he is allergic to by switching his diet. Well I choose the wrong food because he had a terrible reaction. He is getting better but he has also developed a small hard bump on his neck where he had his reaction. He has never had this before I looked it up and it seems to be associated with the allergies. It looks to me like it is drying out which as far as I know is good.I was wondering if anyone else has dealt with this and what they did.is there any home remedies or do I have to take him in? Will it clear up with the allergy m medication? Someone please respond in very worried. Thank you

[karleybyrd]

Thank you both for your input. The mark on his neck is better I used yeast cream and washed him with antibiotic soap twice a day and I have put him back on iams food only not wet food. Iams seems to be the only one he handles pretty well I also think he is allergic to dust which I live in a older home so its hard to avoid. I have him on allergy medication everyday. He seems to be doing much better. He also developed an ear infection because of the allergies. This happens almost every year. Once allergy season hits. I think it was worse this year because I of course was in he process of switching his foods, he was doing good but I wanted to see how he did with fish and lamb well I found out lamb was very bad within 2 days he was sick I felt so bad. I gave home medicine and got him other food so of course with allergy season in full swing it took a lot to clear. I think we are finally getting there though. He is so cute when I clean his ears though he closes his eyes and rest his head against my hand!!!!

[tonyb286]

Hi. Jerry has given some good advice. Often an allergic dog will also be prone to getting secondary pyoderma lesions and some can get sebaceous cysts. The latter sounds like what your dog has, though only a vet can actually diagnose properly. It is actually essential you take your dog to the vet as soon as possible, because the lesion or cyst may need testing to ensure it is not anything sinister - it will also probably need an antibiotic or maybe surgery to remove it. Regardless of that, you should get your dog seen and diagnosed properly.

The problem with allergic dogs is they almost invariably are sensitive to many other skin irritants, so it may be time to identify the problem agent and remove it from your household. This can be hard work, as identifying an allergic element is a case of either patch testing (worth it, but expensive) or trial and error, starting with the most obvious ... food. Please read my piece on food allergies here: http://www.infobarrel.com/Is_Your_Dog_Allergic_To_Its_Food

Let us know how you get on. Best wishes for the festive season. Tony

[Jerry_NJ]

Allergies can be very difficult.

Start with food is good, use no-grain kibble (I think most good canned food have little gain, see Tractor Supply 4 Health, high rated, low cost).  Proteins can also be a problem area, try wild protein such as fish or venison, again no-grain for kibble.

KEEP IT SIMPLE:  not table scraps, feed the same limited diet fitfully or you'll not learn anything from the dietary approach.

Environmental triggers can also be a/the problem, fleas..

How old is you dog, what breed?

I agree a "growth" that is stable, better reseeding is a good sign  I can say getting growths removed on our Westie was expensive, but he had scratched one to the point of bleeding.  He had two growths, both checked benign from biopsy.  We hope he gets no more.  He has allergies, and Yeast problems, but I never associated the growths with allergies, and the vet didn't make that connection, or I forgot, also a possibility.