Bearbear – A Little Poodle With a Big Allergy Puzzle

Name: Bearbear
Breed: Poodle
Age/Sex: 1 year 7 months, Male
Weight: ~4.4–4.8 kg

Bearbear first visited us in late 2024 with an all-too-familiar issue—itchy skin. His family noticed him scratching around his paws, tail base, muzzle, ears, and belly, often leaving behind redness and scabs. The itchiness seemed to come and go, and Bearbear had even started losing fur. Despite a diet change and careful grooming, the scratching didn’t stop.

He was already on flea prevention and had no history of vomiting or diarrhoea, which helped us rule out some causes. But it was clear: Bearbear was uncomfortable and needed long-term relief.

Over several months, Bearbear was examined and treated by multiple vets across visits. Here’s what we uncovered:

• Atopic Dermatitis (environmental allergy)
• Suspected food sensitivities (possibly to chicken, beef, or duck)
• Allergic otitis externa (ear inflammation)
• Secondary yeast and bacterial infections (confirmed on ear and skin smears)
   

Despite trying Apoquel and switching to a hypoallergenic diet, his symptoms would return once the medications were stopped.

We also ran:

 ✅ Ear cytology
 ✅ Skin smears
 ✅ Allergy blood testing (Nextmune PAX)
 ✅ Pre-anaesthetic blood work for future procedures

Bearbear’s treatment was tailored based on his changing symptoms and test results:

💊 Medications:

• Cytopoint injections for long-acting itch control
• Apoquel (3.6mg and later 5.4mg) for daily relief
• Cerenia and Omeprazole for one-off GI upset
• Mitex/Dermotic drops for yeast and bacteria in both ears
• Vitamin B12 and antiseptic foam (Douxo Pyo) for immune and skin support 

🧼 Skin Care Routine:

• Hibi skin cleanser for paws and tail
• TrizKeto ear cleaner
• Hypoallergenic shampoo & strict dietary plan
   

Despite some ups and downs—including a brief episode of vomiting with traces of blood—Bearbear remained active, alert, and happy throughout.

As of March 2025, Bearbear’s condition has much improved under a multi-layered allergy management plan:

• Cytopoint injections as needed
• Daily Apoquel
• Routine skin and ear cleaning
• Ongoing hypoallergenic feeding trial
• Scheduled neutering (with pre-op bloodwork completed)
   

His owners now understand that allergy management is a long-term commitment, not a quick fix—but Bearbear’s quality of life has improved significantly.

✅ Diagnosed and managed multi-source allergic dermatitis
✅ Treated recurrent ear infections with yeast and cocci
✅ Integrated topical, systemic, and dietary therapies
✅ Performed allergy testing for precise treatment planning
✅ Maintained stable health despite episodic GI upset

🐾 Chronic skin issues are manageable but need consistency—stick to the plan
 🐾 Always report rebound itching or flare-ups to your vet
 🐾 Combine internal medication with topical cleaning for the best results
 🐾 Avoid food changes or treats during allergy trials—even the “healthy” ones!
 🐾 If your dog scratches their ears, paws, or belly often, it might not just be fleas

🎯 Sector 1: What Pet Owners Want to Know 

1. Why do some dogs get allergies so young?
    
2. Is Cytopoint better than Apoquel? 
    
3. Can food allergies develop even after a dog’s been eating the same protein?
    
4. Why do Bearbear’s symptoms come back after meds stop?
    
5. Is it safe to stay on Apoquel long-term?
    

🌡 Sector 2: Medical Highlights

1. What made you suspect multiple types of allergies?
    
2. How do you diagnose ear infections caused by allergies?
    
3. How does allergy testing help tailor treatment?
    
4. Why was yeast a recurring issue?
    

🩺 Sector 3: Vet’s Community Message

1. What’s the most challenging part of managing chronic dermatitis?
    
2. How do you keep owners engaged when allergies recur?
    
3. What’s your go-to first step when a young dog presents with itchiness?
    
4. Any pro tips for managing small dogs with high grooming needs and sensitive skin?
    
5. What do you wish more pet parents knew about food trials?