Do any of you give benedryl to your chi on a regular basis for allergies?
For 2 weeks now gizmo has had itchy and watery eyes. They are not red (just the skin around them when he scratches). And he will itch his ears like the wing part is itchy.

I gave him some benedryl and the tearing is much better. He still itches his eyes but not obsessively like before.

He weighs about 5 or 6 lbs and I am giving him between 1/4-1/2 tsp of children's benedryl 1-2x a day.

I am thinking I will be putting some apple cider vinager in his water and ears every day as well, hopefully that will solve the allergy issue.

Haven't taken him to the vet because he isnt sneezing or acting ill. We like to do things as holestic as possible before a doctor gives drugs, and benedryl is pretty harmless.

My last dog was a Basset hound who had HORRIBLE skin allergies and ACV worked well for him.

Anyone else have an allergic dog? I joke with my husband that he's allergic to people!

My chi is doing the exact same thing. Itching her whole head, rubbing her eyes and ears almost constantly. I've been giving her Benedryl for over 2 years now and it helps some. I keep a close eye to make sure it doesn't/isn't an infection or anything. You can take a wash cloth and soak it with warm water and wipe Gizmo's eyes. This is soothing to him. I thought Midgie was the only one going through although I don't wish this on anyone else's chi, I feel so bad for them.

I have also got the o.k. from the vet and dermatologist to give Midgie Zirtec, so you might want to consult your vet about this.

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I'm sorry your chi has the same problems!! I know it's horrible to see them scratching so much. Gizmo mould sit there rubbing his eye constantly before I put him on the benedryl. He had little cuts on the wings of his ears and his face too from the scratching. No sneezing or coughing thank goodness.

I watch him for infection too. So far insides of his ears are normal (the outsides get red from itching) and his whites are clear (the skin gets red when he itches).

Benedryl seems to help most the way.

Ironically my eyes have been itching non stop for a few weeks now too. Maybe we are allergic to the same thing! Lol.

Gave him the ACV last night and will for theme t few weeks. hopefully that will detox him and stop the allergies.

Yes, my eyes have been itchy too with a little matter build up. I've noticed Midgie's had a little matter build up too. I don't think that there ears are really bothering them, but I do think the allergens are irritating their eyes. I've had some sinuse inflamation and the first thing I do is hold my forehead because of the terrible headache which led me to believe that our little chi's might also have some sinuse irritation going on as well. This is what scares me because I know how easy my sinuses can get infected, so if Midgie's gets infected, I'll have no choice but to take her to the vet for antibiotics. I'm like you, and tired of running her around to the doctors and trying to do everything holistically. I've even taken her off her immunotherapy shots every week. Not sure if I'm doing the right thing, but they didn't seem to help her, just agitate her and make her itch more. She does itch to the point she makes herself raw but hasn't lately.
She she sleeps with us, I try to make it a point to keep my sheets changed out regularly because she's allergic to dust mites. The one thing I did take from her Dermatologist is to bathe her weekly (which I do during the summer), but not as much during the winter. I alternate bathing with a moisturizing dog shampoo called Hylite and Aveeno Oatmeal bath soak which helps to soothe her itchy, iritated skin. I can tell she always feels much better after the bathes. She actually due for one now! lol

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Oh those baths sound nice! I may get him some aveno oatmeal baths. Maybe it will help with the itchy ears and face.

We don't get any buildup, but before his benedryl, his Face is all wet from tears.

Yea, the tears are a buildup of allergens and the chis body working over-time to rid their systems of the intruders. A wet warm washcloth wiped across their eyes makes them feel so much better. My chi gets excited when she sees me get the wash cloth out. haha
The Aveeno Oatmeal bath soaks are very nice and you could use them too. I buy the box of 6 packets at Walmart for about $6.00. Since I give Midgie her soak in the sink, I only use about half of 1 packet, so I get 2 soaks out of 1 packet. Don't rinse the soak off. Fill the tub or sink with luke warm water (the cooler the better without freezing Gismo) then let the Aveeno dissolve in the water. Take a cup and keep pouring it over Gizmo and I usually take my fingers and massage it into her skin just incase the soak is rolling off her. Do that for about 10 min. then just dry him off. (DO NOT RINSE THE SOAK OFF! as you will be defeating the purpose) then you go and take a nice soak!! lol

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The way I understood it, based on what my vet told me, dogs rarely get the itchy/watery eyes or runny noses that we see in humans who have airborne allergies. Instead, allergies manifest in their skin-- hives, hot spots, rashes, full-body itchiness, yeast, etc. If I had to guess, your Chi is just getting the typical runny eyes associated with short-nosed breeds. Teddy has no allergies but frequently rubs his eyes with his paws because they are wet.

My Jack Russell had allergies. I tried the Benedryl but it didn't really help and I hated medicating her like that. Instead I followed my vet's recommendation of bathing her once a week with a colloidal oatmeal shampoo AND cream rinse, in cool water, allowing the oatmeal cream rinse to stay rubbed into the skin and fur for a few minutes before rinsing it off. Water should be room temperature or so, not too warm. That was the only thing that helped with her hot spots.

You can also treat hot spots with a neem oil/tea tree oil spray or rub 100% aloe vera in to soothe the itch and provide relief.

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Thanks to Jan for my siggy!

Gizzy doesnt get hot spots though. And his eyes arent just wattery, he itches them like they are torturing him (he uses hus front dew claws). The benedryl makes him stop, so I imagine it stops the itch.

Thats why I am not a big fan of running straight to the vet. Vets vary sooooo much and I have had so much inconsistancy over the ears with pets and different advice.