Advice on dark patches

[PaulieFeva]

My cairn is 9 years old. He seems to be allergic to grass or something. He keeps licking his feet and licking at his belly all the time. I had him on apoquel at one point but it wasn’t working. I have since got him a cytopoint shot and that’s not really working. Wondering what else I can do to figure out what’s wrong with him. He’s very calm and mellow but the licking and the black pact HOF skin on his belly and “winky” are concerning me as when I got him at 5 years old he didn’t have these issues. Any advice or help would be greatly appreciated as I’m also a first time dog dad. 

[pkcrossley]

you probably have to start the investigation yourself. if you think he's allergic to grass, keep him away from grass for a week and see if it makes a difference. if it doesn't the next most likely things to investigate, it seems to me, are fleas/flies (some dogs and cats are terrifically allergic to a single bite) and food. i would personally recommend a seresto collar if he doesn't have one. as for food, you have to start by eliminating possibilities. cairns and westies do have a lot of skin issues, it seems to me. there has to be a way to help your guy. least invasive is first find out what he is allergic to. 

[PaulieFeva]

Thank you for your input. Much appreciated. I do feed him the farmers dog fresh food. He’s always responded well to that. He’s had tick bites. Wrote I got him and had Lymes so maybe that’s it also. I’ll try the collar too. 

[Eliz222]

Atticus needed an allergy shot last year. He just needed one shot, thankfully.

His breeder suggested that we try Benadryl the next time he became itchy, which ironicaly was today. I just gave it to him 1/2 hour ago, so we shall see. Atticus weighs 11.5 pounds so he was given 1/2 a pill. 

His vet suggested that we wipe his paws off when he comes inside the house and see if that helps also.