Neutering a Male Dog with Allergies?

I have an 11 month old Male Boxer that has allergies. He licks and scratches contstantly since he has been 5 months old. My vet cannot figure out the reason. He has been on antibiotics and one stint of prednisone. I took him to a dog dermatologist and she is convinced he has inhalant allergies. Of course, she can't say for sure until he has the skin allergy test. He has been on an elimination diet of Venison and Potato for a month and there is no change. I want to make sure it is not the food.





One thing she said was that I should not neuter him because it would make the allergies worse. Has anyone heard of this?

Neutering a Male Dog with Allergies?
I have never heard of neutering being bad for allergies. If you think it still might be the food. Have you tried Science Diet Z/D. It is an allergy diet that you can get at the vets. Good luck. I know how frustrating this can be
Reply:Since a lot of vets give steroids (testosterone) to combat allergies, I can see where she may be going with this. Ultimately, it is your decision. Be sure to weigh ALL the pros and cons first.
Reply:I've never heard of any case where allergies would be make worse by a lack of testicles. That's just odd advice. Overall, the high incidence of cancer in the reproductive parts of intact males would probably more than balance out the possibility of making the allergies worse.





If you haven't already tried it, see what happens when you switch laundry detergents or cleaning products. It might be the fragrances that are irritating to the poor dog, or possibly the chemicals.
Reply:Um, no neutering will have no effect on allergies. That is way off base. Time for a new Vet!





An elimination diet did nothing for my dog either.





Hers are airborn/environmental allergies. She is on a fish and potato diet.





I HIGHLY recommend the allergy testing. It's worth it.





I was told by my dogs Allergist to bathe her once a week with a GOOD quality shampoo, and to wipe her down every time she goes outside. It's a hassle I know, but it helps.





I also give a Vitamin E supplement, and salmon oil - they help a great deal with her skin and coat.





Benadryl wasn't really working for her, but you might want to try it.





Other than that, ask for an antihistamine like Hydroxyzine or something similar.





And again, neutering will not effect this.
Reply:I'd discuss this in much further detail with your vet! Whenever any of my animals has a problem I spend quite some time in their office picking their brain before I ever get out the door. Phone your vet and talk more in depth. Make a list of questions and ask every single one. I know vets tend to be busy, but any vet that won't stop and take the time to give you a full explanation of what, why, where and how is not worth going to, and quite often that is our fault for not asking. I really can't answer or give any idea, but I'd find out everything the vet was thinking first
Reply:Try getting a seoncd opinion from another vet. All vets, like doctors for people, are not equal. It sounds like a serious problem and thus, would be worth the effort/money.

rhododendron