Who has ever had a lab with allergies? I'm on my 3rd vet and I think 5 different treatment regimens...none of which do anything but relieve symptoms. Tried lots of the top quality foods, even a couple gluten free, got away from anything plastic except travel kennel and still no real improvement.
Anybody?

symptoms? licking/chewing paws? a vet friend is an allergy specialist in homewood. i know that is too far for you, but maybe a phone call could lead you to a fellow expert in your area. his name is allen riley. my black mouth cur was seriously allergic to all grains. once she went grain free (not just gluten free), no more problems. hope you find relief. my daughter's catahoula/redbone/bloodhound cross in pensacola never did find relief, sad to say ...

Food allergy is WAY overdiagnosed. Typically these dogs suffer from environmental allergies (atopic dermatitis) instead of food allergies. 95% of dogs with a food allergy are allergic to protein source (chicken, beef, pork, etc) and NOT GRAINS. I get that question 20 times a day thanks to the "premium" food companies using buzz words to garner market share.

For my lab with allergies, Apoquel has been a miracle drug. Went from thin coat, skin problems and constant scratching into a normal, happy dog.

When I lived in Florida I had to give my pointer VARL allergy shots. When I moved to Alabama I was able to stop. Best I can tell it was some kind of plants that we don’t have this far north

I’ll second what Fishduck said. My female fox red which is 4 now would scratch, chew, to the point she would create bleeding sores, couldn’t sleep and I could tell she was miserable. I tried different foods, shampoo, everything under the sun. Finally the vet told me it’s something environmental and I could spend a lot of $ only to find out it’s grass, oak trees etc. So I started her on Apoquel and it flat works. Once it’s under control I give her a half pill every other day to keep it at bay.

What does that cost ya'll a month?

Have seemed to find a combination that is working. I have her on Apoquel and Salmon and Pea dog food from Sam's.

The Apoquel costs me $57 for 30 16mg pills. 56lb lab. Hoping to wean to less than a pill per day also.....

Glad the Apoquel is working. I have fairly good success with it or the injectable drug, Cytopoint. One thing that I instruct my clients on is that we are not going to eliminate flareups on these drugs, but it significantly decreases the frequency and severity.

Is there a chance of backing off on the dosage to 8 mg if it will still work or is it going to take the full pill Dr. O?

It honestly depends on the dog. Some dogs you can get away with it, some need the full dose. It's worth a shot. If you notice itching, go back to the 16mg.

My dog started on a pill a day. In the spring, summer 8 mg daily. Fall we drop back to 8 mg every other day. Right now it is more like 8 mg weekly.

Update on allergies. After being on Apoquel for 6 months full dose and changing foods several times....she showed marked improvement in mid February after 2 months on the Salmon and Pea from Sam's club so I cut her back to 8mg of Apoquel. as she continued improving in Mid March cut it to 8mg every other day. First of April weaned completely to just the new dog food. all hair has regrown in the itch spots and the strong smell created by yeast I guess has disappeared. Normally happy dog and owner again. Watching for a flare-up.but hoping all along it was a food allergy and that changing that protein source is what she needed.

This. Proteins (specifically protein source) are what dogs are allergic to. Please do not feed grain free diets. Young, apparently healthy dogs are dropping dead all over the country from cardiomyopathy due to grain free diets.

So our lab licks his feet constantly, they are red between the pads. Should I try the apoquel? If so where do I get it from? His bed sometimes is soaked from his licking

yes.....get it from your vet. It's high as giraffe pussy, but well worth it.

I am sure they will check him, but it is imperative that he not have a secondary infection or the Apoquel will not be effective. Also, realize that Apoquel is very effective, but they will have flare ups from time to time, but much less often than untreated.

Thanks, he has been in a few times for check ups and have noticed his feet. Told us to give him Benadryl

I don't think benedryl is effective for dogs in that sense. I use diphenhydramine in dogs, but not for itchiness. The only way I think it works is if it makes them too drowsy to notice they're itching.

Thanks