My Westie who died last year had *severe* allergies. I felt like we lived at the vet . He took Apoquel, monthly Cytopoint injections, and a special medicated shampoo. It progressively got worse with age and his allergies would turn into yeast infections...and if that wasn't taken care of right away, he would get staph infections. He was regularly on antifungal medications. His ears were always getting infected as well. I live in southeast Louisiana and it's very humid here.....with lots of allergens. It's basically like a swamp here. Believe me....I understand what you're going through. There is a vet on youtube who says to soak dog's paws in an iodine bath as it kills yeast, bacteria, etc. You might want to ask your vet about that. I totally understand not wanting to mess with his immune system. I have a new Westie puppy and he has the dark skin as opposed to the pink skin that my late Westie had. Darker skin is supposed to be more allergy resistant but the vet says she has never seen a Westie who didn't have allergies....so...I guess only time will tell. I am saving this video. I look forward to Part 2. Thank you for sharing the products that you have found to be helpful for Sami. You are a great mama♥

Thank you for this video! Always love them but this one was especially relatable for me. I have a 2.5 year old westie named Ripley and I often chuckle at how much Sami and he remind me of each other. Unfortunately that includes allergies. The first allergy vet trip we had was when he was just 3 months old on Christmas Eve - I woke up to find that he had itched his nose so much that it had started to bleed! The vet told me he was the itchiest puppy he had ever seen (eek) and we've been on quite the journey since. Thought I'd share a few things from POV of someone based in the US.... (1) the vet I saw when Ripley was 3 months put him on apoquel (the symptoms were severe so medication felt necessary to just get things slightly under control)... but I later learned that you should NOT put dogs under one year on apoquel ever. It's very dangerous. Thankfully we didn't run into issues as a result of the medication but I would never had done apoquel at that time if I had known. (2) I switched Ripley to cytopoint shot once a month and that really made a difference for a while. But then I discovered that apparently cytopoint loses its effect over time. By the time Ripley was nearing 2 year olds, he could barely make it a full 4 weeks without having a full blown allergy meltdown. (we're talking allergy related skin infections, ear infections, eye infections, throwing up all over, the works. He remained relentlessly positive westie throughout but it worried me a lot...not to mention the cost of it all.) 3) Others may have had a different experience but I've always been told by various vets in the US that I had to do the 'allergy diet' (where your dog is only allowed to eat hypoallergenic, plain kibble that has no real meat of any kind in it for at least 8 weeks and NOTHING else) before I could even book an appointment with a dermatologist...who was the only person that could actually do the blood test. I resisted for a while because Ripley is such a picky eater and so stubborn... I was seriously concerned we just couldn't do that diet. But his allergies have continued to worsen and he would get so uncomfortable at the 3 week mark for cytopoint that we finally did it. And it actually was okay! And I am THRILLED to say we were finally able to get that dermatology appointment (they were booked 4 months out)... and it's coming up in 2 weeks! I truly cannot wait... though I may feel differently after seeing the bill. (I also feel like this is just another reason why Ripley and I should probably consider moving to Portugal! lol) (4) Despite my vet telling me it would be useless and a waste of money, I tried the 'mail in' allergy tests where you collect your dog's saliva and then mail it in and supposedly get allergy results thereafter. I regret doing it. My vet was right. I do not recommend. (5) A company I've used recently for vet approved dog treats for Ripley as we await the derm appointment is Rayme's Nutrition. Highly recommend! Ripley is only allowed to have the alligator jerky (since he had never had alligator before, the vet felt confident we could give it a try.) It hasn't caused any allergy flare ups and Ripley loves it :-)

Glad it’s getting better Sami 🐶💕🐾

Such a beautiful lil westie ❤

Oh my goodness, my Maddie has many of the same issues. Found out hers are primarily food and grain specifically. New food and several of your skin meds seem to have her’s under control. Love to you & Sammi 🩷

This is so helpful for Westie Parents. Thanks 🙂

Best mom & best Sami! So glad he's better and no suffer from allergies. I have a westie Cream and he is 11 years old now. We experienced a lot as well, we cannot eat any beef and lam and we only eat duck meat for 5 years. Until he was 9 year old, he is allergey to duck meat, skin problem, tear duct blocked. Unluckly, he is severely allergic to salmon. We changed to anti-allergy and hypoallergenic dog food and keep eating them. So happy that Sami is getting better and better now. Love Sami~🤩

My almost 4 year old male Westie also struggles with the same skin allergy symptoms. For some reason my female Westie doesn’t although she’s had her share of digestive issues which are now under control. I literally prayed this morning to find a solution to his condition as I have tried so many things too! Looking forward to your Part 2.

What a great mom you are...

Anxious to hear about your home cooked meals. 😊😊😊

Lindisimooooo aweeee

Great video! I’ve missed you sharing experiences about Sami. It’s really helpful. I look forward to the next. I hope Sami improves more and more to continue being this playful and loving pup. ❤️🐾❤️🐾

Miruna thanks alot, it helps me manage allergies better, youre fantastic

Hi Miruna ! . Yes I missed seeing Sami and you. My Candy had allergies like Sami and all Westies . He looks so adorable!!. As always!!!. ❤❤

Great topic! I can’t wait to hear what your solution in part 2! I would love to solve the foot licking problem with Taz! I have tried so many things!

You are an excellent Westie Mama! Prayers for you both. THANK you for sharing the info with us!! I am saving this video for reference.

Thank you! I have a Westie, Respect, and he's going through this now!

Wonderful video. I too have known the heartbreak of allergies. It hurts when we can’t help our fur babies . You are a great mama to Sami ❤

My Westie is allergic to grass and beef. So she’s on a freeze dried venison diet which we hydrate with water for her feed. She has all the symptoms Sami has and it’s constantly trying all sorts of creams. We hv started giving her probiotics in powder form for her gut. Unsure if it’s working as she still has flare ups but will continue to use and monitor the situation. We are also giving her spoquel but agree that it suppresses her immune rather than treat the cause

Thank you for sharing, this is helpful and so encouraging to hear!! Our Cairn Terrier pup is just over a year old and we're in the midst of trying to help resolve her allergy flare ups. She has lived so much of her life in a cone to prevent the paw biting, eye rubbing, ear infections, and more. We're seeing a pet dermatologist now and trying to implement new solutions. We will try and ask about some of these!! I hope Sami stays allergy symptom free!!

Hi Miruna. Yes I was getting worried when you had not posted for a while. I too have a Westie with a variety of health issues, diabetes, a heart murmur and allergies. We tried Apoquel and I never really saw a difference, but I have a friend with a Welsh Terrier and the Apoquel works very well for the seasonal allergies she has. I cannot seem to find the name of the shampoo you used. We r now trying weekly baths. Love my little guy so much. We r lucky that his allergies are there but not awful. I have never had to resort to the cone of shame😁 He us such a trooper at taking his insulin shots, and the drops for cataracts etc. i just love watching Sami and you. I wish I could get Caddie to wear boots, as the home my husband is in, and we visit often, has so much salt out front. I guess it is so the seniors do not slip on the ice, but it us rough on a dogs paws. Keep the videos coming.

You’re a good dog mom and your instincts are good that’s because you love Sami. You have similar feelings about drugs and their side effects like I do. Natural is always better…drugs always have side affects. Great video👍🏼

Me encanto su toalla con los paticos aweeeeee 🙅‍♀🙅‍♀🙅‍♀🐾🐾🐾🌺🌺🌺

Hi! I'm impressed reading all this comments! Thanks!! I have a 9 months female westie till today she doesn't have any any allergies! 😢 but I'll safe this video in case in future she starts having it!!! Also I never feed her with kibble she eats only farmers dog food but im kinda nervous about her future hahaha I hope she don't develop to much allergies! Thanks for do this video I love Sammi you guys are adorable ❤

I have a 5 years male Westy too, and he has those allergies, so I'm consider it all these tips. Thank u

Yes we missed that cute little face ♥️♥️

I'd loooooove a video of you talking about what Sami was like as a puppy versus the puberty phase versus being a grown up westie :)) Because my little white friend is in the midst of puberty (*sigh* haha) and I was wondering how Sami was like back then! I love your content!!

Muito obrigado pelo altruísmo. Suas dicas valem ouro.

Nice to see you again Best wishes John Ann Murphy. Bonnie scotland.❤❤

thanks a lot for your advise !!! my treasure Leone will be happy .....

hello... my westie has allergies also. your video was very helpful:) I will try the food for my westie

My westie had no allergies until he was 8 years old. Now he gets terrible flare ups, crusties, blackened skin on his inner thighs, itchy paws, you name it he has it. Last summer he licked all the hair off his chest in one night. I also use the Hills allergy food and Archie absolutely loves it, there is a soft/wet version of it I add to the dry kibble and he's very happy on that food. He takes apoquel, cytopoint, and right now an antibiotic and anit-fungal, special shampoos, all of it. At this point I think he's allergic to the air...but likely it's dust mites like Sami. Last month we spent $700 in vet bills and I hate to add up what we spent last year. My vet also recommended using an allergy med like Claritan (1/2 pill) for bad days. Thanks for this video and information and best of luck to you and Sami!

Thank you for sharing this. Milo is also allergic. I am also trying dog food Blue Buffalo aligator prescribed by vet, cone and wipes.

You know @Sami's Mom. I've commented on this vlog before. Though it just reappeared Within my Y/T feed. ..&.. A few minutes in. I couldn't help notice..&..no say this! That little 🐕🤩doggo Absolutely lo❤ves. .&. Adores you!!🤗 It is just such an illuminating ❤🤗

You had mentioned in previous video's that Sami had allergies, but I didn't realize how bad they were. There's some recent research going on that is suggesting that most if not all allergies are a reflection of the health/balance of the microbiome and of course the microbiota stimulate the immune system. It's a commonly accepted fact now that approximately 90% of the immune system is in the gut. Aside from family genes, environment, and medication use, diet plays a large role in determining what kinds of microbiota live in the colon. However, its still undetermined how large a role probiotics, prebiotics and a healthy diet can turn this imbalance around if at all. If you are considering moving more towards a healthy homemade diet then I can probably help you. I formulate homemade meals for pet parents that are complete and balanced to NRC standards (recommended allowances), a step above AAFCO and FEDIAF (minimum requirements) for pet food and certainly a healthier choice. In addition, I balance all of my meals to the exact daily Kcal requirements for that specific dog. I'm not going to lie to you, but considering how many allergies Sami has towards meat proteins it will be difficult if not impossible to formulate a complete and balanced homemade meal, but I would be willing to give it a try. If nothing else, I can tell you exactly what that meal is deficient in, how much its deficient in (mg) based on minimum requirements, how important that particular nutrient is and some alternate sources to gain those nutrients. I'm a Westie owner and know how important these little guys are in our lives.

Oh my, you and your Westie have been through so much. I’m sorry you lost your dog, but no more suffering for him. No more trips to the vet. Best wishes with your new pup, I bet he or she is adorable.

We resorted to using Cytopoint monthly for our previous Westie. Hated doing it but it was the only thing we could do to stop his suffering. Our new guy, Finn, just turned 1 and I’m dreading what might happen. He’s not shown any symptoms yet but I understand it happens after 1. Thank you for another informative video.

can you share a link where to get the watermelon collar? as my westie is facing the same issues

Miruna …where did you find a watermelon cone of shame? And what are your views on probiotics? Thank you for your recommendations. Brian and Bairn

My Westin also has allergy problem. Things get better when we use allergy shampoo and food recommended by our vet. But never goes away. I also wipe his paws after walk. And use anti inflammation solution n cream when needed. Oh I like that cone. We don’t have that here in Canada.

@Westie Vibes você alguma vez já tentou tratamento ou banho semanais com ozônio para matar ácaros nos pelos do Sami?

My westie was doing this at one too, but my hair groomer said he might be allergic to grain. Totally worked. He is going to be 14 in April!

My westy got lots of allergies and the vet suggested putting him on steroids but I wasnt shure about this treatment. My westy lasted 13 years.

may i know what products you apply to Sami to get her feet and belly allergies down and stop licking? Thank you so much!

Hello! I fix the problem with allergies to my old lady with fresh aloe vera, and camomile i use years now, i hope Sami is ok! 😊

Thanks so much. My 7 year old westie is really struggling lately.

My Westie eats venison just food and treats for dogs

There may be something to the darker skin and no allergies, as my previous dark skinned Westie had no allergies, while the one I have now with pinker skin sometimes does.

Allergies are frustrating, and I’m sorry wee Sami sometimes has to wear the cone of shame.

Voce fala portugues. Moro em apto e apos mta pesquisa decidi por essa raça, macho, no br. Estou pesquisando criadores e ninhadas pedigree etc. Mas agora to preocupado, vi q sao caes rusticos mas esses problemas de pele alergias sao preocupantes. Nao tenho $ pra bancar alto custo de veterinarios. Isso depende de cao pra cao ou todos da raça tem alergias assim?

3 of the 4 westies we have had were diagnosed with skin allergies in the spring and early summer seasons. Sami sounds like he needs to be on a salmon diet.

They have lots of skin allergies 😔

What u basically said is Sami is allergic to everything. Beautiful dog but let us be real for a moment. Do the best you can with any loved one.

Our wee man doesnt get any beef products .... it seems to make things worse.