Senior dog with outdoor allergies

[MunchingonHay]

I need some help and guidance about my older boxer cross and his outdoor allergies.

Riley is 12. Boxer /black mouth cur/ pittie cross who has always suffered with outdoor allergies. He was born and raised in FL and we moved to PA in the middle of last year.

We hit the road in late May of 2021 and stayed in SE Pa until moving further up into North central PA in November.

He gets a Zyrtec daily. Is fed a freeze dried raw diet, with limited proteins. (no chicken, lamb or venison for this guy)

He is allergic to grass, oak and I am sure several other types of trees and grasses.

When we were driving up from FL to PA in May, he was knocked off track with the daily Zyrtec and got hit really hard with congestion and developed a sinus infection in June last year. It took about 2 weeks to get him right and I do not want him suffering this year.

He has started to develop some sniffles lately, and I have been dosing him with two 25mg Benadryl in the AM and in the PM. The vet told me I can give him up to 3, 25mgs three times a day.
He weighs 70 lbs.

He is otherwise healthy, runs around like a pup and is loving life.

Is there something I am missing? Is there more I can do. I am holding off dosing him with a higher amount because we are not in full bloom yet and I want to be able to give him more should he need it. OR should I just dose him his max amount now ???

TIA.

[MadeYaLook]

Maybe talk to vet about Cytopoint shot. Doesn’t cover as broad of spectrum as Apoquel but if dog has a positive response you can get close to 8 weeks of relief. Works on my Aussie who has pollen allergies.

[S1969]

Agreed that I would be moving to a prescription med versus an OTC drug at this point. Quality of life is really important, especially for senior dogs.

[MunchingonHay]

Thank you guys!

I have added a request for the Cytopoint shot when he gets is monthly adaquan next week. And we will talk about the Apoquel while I am there.

He does not itch or scratch. Its more congestion with feet licking when it gets bad. So we will see what happens.

I want to get him off the Benadryl.

[fourfillies]

FWIW Apoquel is a miracle drug for my guy with fall seasonal allergies. I tried Cytopoint and it didn’t have the same efficacy. I’m also in PA.

[MunchingonHay]

That is awesome to know FourFillies. Do you give your dog an OTC allergy med as well like Zyrtec?

I am picking up a bottle tomorrow to see how Riley does on the Apoquel and I also have him scheduled to have the Cytopoint shot when he gets his Adaquan in 3 weeks.

Thank you everyone!

[fourfillies]

I started with Zyrtec. He was still miserable. Once we switched the Apoquel he didn’t need anything in addition. Since his allergies are so seasonal and the cost is easy enough to bear.
If I recall correctly my vet wanted a two week washout from the Cytopoint shot to restarting Apoquel. I don’t think they get used together. Hope it does the same wonders for your guy.

[MunchingonHay]

Thank you so much.

My vet said the same thing, so we are starting with the pills first, see how that goes, and then progress on to the shot if needed. He is in the vet’s monthly for Adaquan so stopping pills and letting that wash out first is no problem.

Thank you for your insight!