[jkennedy99]

My 4 1/2 month old golden-poodle mix has been sneezing a lot and scratches at his face/ eyes. He now has reddish rings around the outside of his eyes. Could this be an allergy to something? I asked the Vet the last time we were in and he didn't think it was anything.

Also, please note, my dog is in on medication call Metronidazole for a parasite. I'm not sure if he could be reacting to this medication, but he's scratched at his face/ eyes since we got him.

Thanks,
Joe

[labman]

That is awfully young to have allergies. Get back with the vet. Maybe if that vet isn't interested in treating the problem, find one that is. Many medicines give some dogs side effects. If the parasites don't clear up soon, maybe it is time for a different medicine.

You may find some of the material helpful for other things at https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/dogs/i...tml#post251802

[jkennedy99]

My 4 1/2 month old golden-poodle mix has been sneezing a lot and scratches at his face/ eyes. He now has reddish rings around the outside of his eyes. Could this be an allergy to something? I asked the Vet the last time we were in and he didn't think it was anything.

Also, please note, my dog is in on medication call Metronidazole for a parasite. I'm not sure if he could be reacting to this medication, but he's scratched at his face/ eyes since we got him.

Thanks,
Joe

Thanks for the quick response. He should be off the meds by next week, I plan to call the Vet tomorrow to discuss. My Vet seems to blow off my concerns sometimes, but I'm a new dog owner so I may not be asking the right questions.

J

[labman]

If you are asking about what you don't understand, they are the right questions.

[RubyPitbull]

I agree with labman. There are no dumb questions when it comes to your dog's health. Your vet knows you are a new pet owner. You are paying for his time. He should not be "blowing off" your concerns. If he feels it is nothing to be worried about he should state why. If he tells you that you are worrying over nothing without further explanation as to why he is sneezing and scratching at his eyes all the time, you might want to find another vet. Just as an FYI, since he is a mix, he may be prone to whatever health issues are generally found for either breed. Poodles are prone to leaky eyes, allergies, and skin issues.

[jkennedy99]

OK, I went back to the Vet today. They said that since he is pooping OK (and it's solid) and keeping food down most of the time, it's probably just sensitily from the Giardia and medicine, Metronidazole. They did give me another antibiotic for his sneezing, Amoxicillin, and gave me some Iams vet formula solid food to try. I will give it a few more days and see if this stuff works. If he's still vomiting and sneezing, the Vet said they could X-Ray him (however, since food is passing o.k. they did not think he has a block from eating a toy or something.) Still confused on the sneezing as it began a good week after the vomitting and diahierra from the Giardia.

Also, I'm getting hammered on these Vet fees. Do you guys use Pet Insurance?

thanks,
Joe

[labman]

I don't have pet insurance. I took a bad hit early this year, $1200 when my old dog had a tumor removed. As for the routine care, I can't imagine insurance wouldn't just add their overhead and profit.

At least I have an out on the puppies. Anything I can schedule at the school they belong to is free. The only time I concluded the 500-600 mile trip was worth while, was when Zeke needed orthodontel work.

[RubyPitbull]

I don't have pet insurance either. I have an account that I put money into every month from the limited income that I receive that pays for any bills I am not expecting. It includes the dog's medical bills along with my medical bills not covered, taxes, maintenance items on the house,. anything that is unexpected.