My chihuahua's ear allergy keeps returning. How to ease pain?

I am sorry to hear about Diesel! Allergies can be very frustrating to deal with. We can have allergies to ingredients in food (it is usually a protein source and not a grain allergy), or allergies to things in the environment like pollen, grass, dust, etc. If he isn't already on a fatty acid supplement, I would consider starting one (such as Welactin) as they can have anti-inflammatory effects in the body and reduce itching in some dogs if given daily. With mild allergy cases, sometimes antihistamines such as diphenhydramine, cetirizine, or hydroxyzine are used and are effective. You should discuss with your vet if they feel any of these are appropriate for Diesel. In severe cases we need stronger immune-modulating drugs such as Apoquel or Atopica (unfortunately these are also more expensive but can make a dramatic difference for some dogs). Sometimes these dogs also have secondary bacterial or yeast infections that may require treatment by a veterinarian as well that are contributing to the itching.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! This is possibly due to allergies. It really comes down to figuring out what is causing her allergies so that they can be treated or the specific allergen avoided. A secondary infection is likely and also needs to be addressed. 

There are many things that can cause allergies though in most cases they can be broken down into 3 big categories: flea, food and environmental allergies. 

 Allergies are usually worked up in a stepwise fashion starting with flea allergies as this is the easiest and cheapest to take care of. If not on a flea preventative, then it would be a good idea to get started on one. If already on one then it would be a good idea to change to something else (there are many new products out in the market). 

If not improved in 1-3 months then it is time to move on and check for food allergies by switching to a novel diet (new protein and new carbohydrate). If that does not seem to be the issue then you are left out having to check for environmental allergies which require blood and/or skin tests.

 Allergies can be very frustrating to deal with at first but so rewarding at the end when we are able to treat them effectively!


Poor Chopper! If his symptoms are getting worse over the summer and fall, he may be suffering from environmental allergies. He may benefit from medications from the vet such as Apoquel or steroids. I would make an appointment with your vet for him to discuss using medication to treat his symptoms if he does suffer from environmental allergies. I hope this helps!

Hi there and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! This could be due to something stuck in his ear or an ear infection. I would recommend having Frank examined by a veterinarian. The vet can look into Frank's ear to make sure nothing is stuck in the ear canal and to see if there are signs of an ear infection. I hope this helps guide you in the right direction. Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns and I would be more than happy to help you further.

Hi there. Allergies can be very challenging and frustrating. Have you tried any prescription hypoallergenic diets? Minimum of 10 weeks with NO other treats etc? If not I would discuss that option with your veterinarian. Otherwise I may consider trying cytoplasm injections. I have been very pleased with my toughest allergy patients on this medication. I hope this gives you a few new option to consult! Best of luck and thank you for using Pet Coach.

Usually an allergic reaction to antibiotics or other medications happens right away, so it's not likely to be an allergic reaction to the medications, nut it could be an allergic reaction to food or to something in the environment. if it doesn't get better within 48 hours i would recommend having it checked and treated by your vet.

Chronic ear and skin infections may have an allergic component as stated by your veterinarian. It may be fleas, but the likelihood is reduced with regular flea control. Even then though, in a sensitive dog, one flea bite may be enough to cause a serious allergic reaction. The steroid (Prednidale) and antibiotic (Rilexine) are temporary fixes, treating just the symptoms but not the underlying condition. There are also environmental allergies and food sensitivities that may responsible. The sheer number of potential allergens is what makes diagnosing allergies so frustrating. Discuss allergy testing, hydrolyzed diets and food elimination trials with your veterinarian. A consult with a veterinary dermatologist ma be indicated. You should also discuss antihistamine use, either seasonally or year round, with your veterinarian. Atopica and Apoquel are prescription medications that may help treat allergies and can be dispensed by your vet. Consider adding an essential fatty acid supplement, such as a fish oil, to Irish's diet to promote healthy skin and coat. The EFAs may also help some with the itching and inflammation. DermCaps or EicosaCaps are two recommended products.